Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee, often shortened to Xolo) is one of the oldest dog breeds in the Americas. It comes from Mexico, where it has lived alongside people for thousands of years. The breed exists in two coat types: a hairless variety with smooth, tough skin, and a coated variety covered in a short, flat coat.

This is a medium-sized dog with a calm, even temperament. Xolos are devoted to their families and form close bonds with the people they live with. They are alert and watchful, which makes them attentive to changes around the home, but they are not constant barkers. Around strangers they tend to be reserved rather than aggressive.

The breed also appears in standard sizes ranging from toy to standard, though the medium build is common. Owners value the Xolo for its loyalty, its quiet nature indoors, and its long lifespan.

Who it suits

The Xolo suits owners who want a calm, loyal companion and can provide consistent socialization and daily exercise. The hairless variety needs skin care and protection from sun and cold, so it fits households willing to manage those needs. Its watchful nature makes it a good fit for people who want an alert dog without heavy barking.

The Xoloitzcuintli is among the oldest breeds of the Americas. Archaeological remains and pottery from ancient Mexico depict hairless dogs that match the type, and the breed is generally held to date back several thousand years.

The name comes from the Aztec language Nahuatl. It joins Xolotl, the name of an Aztec deity associated with the underworld, with itzcuintli, the word for dog. In Aztec belief the dog was linked to guiding souls, and the Xolo held a place in religious and daily life.

For centuries the breed lived across central and southern Mexico. It nearly disappeared during the twentieth century as its numbers fell. A recovery effort in Mexico in the mid-twentieth century located surviving dogs and rebuilt the population, which helped secure the breed's future.

The Xolo was later recognized as a national dog of Mexico and gained formal recognition with major kennel registries. Today it remains closely associated with Mexican heritage and is kept both in its homeland and abroad.

The Xoloitzcuintli has a lean, athletic build that is slightly longer than it is tall. The body is well-muscled without being bulky, and the overall look is one of quiet strength and balance. The head is wedge-shaped, the ears are large and erect, and the expression is thoughtful and alert.

The most recognized form is the hairless variety, which has smooth, tough skin and may carry a few coarse hairs on the top of the head, the feet, and the tip of the tail. The coated variety has a short, flat coat over the whole body. Both types occur within the same litters.

Coat and colors

Hairless Xolos have skin that is usually a dark, solid tone, though lighter shades and spotting occur. The skin is firm and warm to the touch. Coated Xolos show the same range of colors in a short, close-lying coat. Both varieties most often appear in dark, uniform colors, with bronze and red among the lighter options.

The Xoloitzcuintli is a calm and devoted dog. It bonds closely with its family and often chooses one or two people to stay near. Indoors it is generally quiet and settled, content to rest close to the people it trusts.

With strangers the Xolo is reserved and watchful rather than outgoing. This makes it an effective alert dog, since it notices new arrivals and changes in its surroundings. Early and ongoing socialization helps it stay confident and prevents the reserve from turning into shyness.

With children the breed can do well when raised together and when interactions are supervised, especially with young children. With other pets it usually adjusts when introduced early, though its alert nature means introductions should be managed. The Xolo is sensitive to its household and responds best to a steady, consistent home.

Grooming

• Hairless variety: wipe the skin clean regularly and bathe as needed to keep pores clear, then keep the skin moisturized as advised by a veterinarian
• Apply pet-safe sunscreen before time outdoors to protect exposed skin
• Coated variety: brush the short coat occasionally to remove loose hair
• Trim nails regularly and check ears for buildup
• Brush teeth several times a week to support dental health

Exercise

• Provide one or two walks each day plus some active play
• Allow time in a secure yard or open space to move and explore
• Include light training or scent games for mental stimulation
• Avoid heavy exercise during the hottest or coldest parts of the day for hairless dogs

Environment

The Xolo adapts well to home living, including apartments, as long as it gets daily exercise. The hairless variety is sensitive to temperature. It needs shade and sun protection in hot weather and a sweater or coat in cold weather. Indoors it prefers warm, comfortable resting spots.

The Xoloitzcuintli thrives on a complete and balanced diet formulated for its life stage and size. A quality food with adequate protein supports its lean, muscular build. Because the breed can be prone to gaining weight if overfed, portion control matters, and treats should be counted as part of the daily total.

Fresh water should always be available. Feeding amounts vary with the individual dog's weight, age, and activity, so use the figures below as a starting point and adjust to keep the dog at a healthy weight.

Treats and supplements

Use treats in moderation and keep them under about ten percent of daily calories. Most Xolos on a complete commercial diet do not need supplements. Discuss any additions, such as joint or skin support, with a veterinarian, since hairless dogs sometimes have specific skin needs.

The Xoloitzcuintli is regarded as a hardy and healthy breed. Many dogs live long lives, with a typical lifespan of 13 to 18 years. The hairless variety has particular skin needs, and the breed is also commonly associated with incomplete dentition, meaning some teeth may be missing, especially in hairless dogs.

Responsible breeding and routine veterinary care help keep the breed sound. As with any dog, regular checkups support early detection of problems.

Preventive care

• Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date
• Schedule annual veterinary exams, more often for seniors
• Maintain skin and dental routines suited to the variety
• Manage weight with measured feeding and daily exercise
• Protect the dog from extreme heat and cold

The Xoloitzcuintli is intelligent and capable of learning quickly. It is sensitive to its handler's tone and responds best to patient, consistent training. Harsh methods can make a Xolo withdraw, so a calm and steady approach works better.

Early socialization is important. Exposing the dog to a range of people, places, and other animals while young helps it grow into a confident adult and tempers its natural reserve with strangers. Consistency across the household keeps expectations clear.

Basics

1. Start socialization early with gentle, varied experiences
2. Teach name recognition and basic recall first
3. Build core commands such as sit, stay, and come
4. Keep sessions short and positive to hold attention
5. Practice calm greetings to manage reserve around strangers
6. Reinforce house manners and crate or settle routines

Breeding the Xoloitzcuintli calls for knowledge of the breed's genetics. The hairless trait is dominant, and the gene involved means that puppies inheriting two copies do not survive. For this reason, hairless dogs are usually paired in a way that produces both hairless and coated puppies in the same litter. Coated dogs are an important part of the breed and are used in responsible breeding programs.

Dogs should reach full maturity before breeding, and both parents should be health-screened and of sound temperament. Females are typically bred after they are physically mature. Gestation in dogs lasts about 63 days. Newborn puppies depend fully on the mother for warmth and feeding in the early weeks, and the hairless variety is especially sensitive to cold, so the whelping area must be kept warm. Puppies are weaned gradually and benefit from early handling and socialization.

How to register a Xoloitzcuintli in the United States

A Xoloitzcuintli can hold a free lifetime profile in the United Pet Club registry whether or not it carries a chip. The profile pairs your contact details with your dog's photo, birth date, and markings, so whoever finds it knows exactly who to call. Registering your dog takes a few minutes, and nothing about it expires or renews.

Chipped already? The implant is half the job. Until the 15-digit number sits in a registry with your name beside it, a scanner reads digits that lead nowhere. Microchip registration is free for life at United Pet Club, takes any manufacturer's chip, and keeps the record searchable through the AAHA lookup shelters rely on. Sign up free, and both records are done tonight.