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Xoloitzcuintle pronounced,
Sho-low-eets-queen-tlee, is an ancient breed of
dog.The Breed name is spelled Xoloitzcuintle by the FCM/FCI registries.
Some breeders spell the name with an "i" on the end. Both spellings are
correct. The name comes from the Aztec god, Xolotl. The hairless Aztec dog
was considered to be a representative of Xolotl and guided and protected
the souls of the dead to their unearthly destinations.
Evidence of their existence has been found
in the ruins of the Pre-Columbian societies of Mexico and the countries of
Central and South America. The Xolo was used as a sleeping companion
for warmth and was believed to have curative powers for arthritis and
other painful ailments. The flesh of the Xolo was consumed for food and
also in the hope that it would aid in the cure of various physical
problems. The Xolo provided the ancient people with a convenient source of
protein and they raised them in large numbers much like we now raise
cattle, sheep and goats. The young ones were fattened for market. The
Aztec people held great faith in the ability of the Xolo to guide them to
their "land of the dead", or "Mictlan", after their death. For this
reason, many were buried with a Xolo, which of course was sacrificed for
that purpose.
 Because
of its hairlessness, the Xolo feels very warm to the touch. Some people
believe that the body temperature of the Xolo is higher than other dog
breeds. This is not true. It's body temperature is within the same range
as that of other dog breeds. They do surprisingly well in cool weather but
often need a sweater when the temperature is very cool or cold. In the
winter in the northern hemisphere they are a house dog. The lighter colors
may sometimes need protection from the sun. The Xolo skin darkens with
exposure to the sun and in the winter they may grow very light if they are
kept in the house most of the time. White areas or spots on their skin
will continually burn from the sun. The hairless Xoloitzcuintle is an
interesting option for the dog lover who has allergies or a person who
prefers a very clean animal to share their home with. They have no fleas
and no shedding problems.
The Xolo is a very
devoted, caring and extremely attentive dog that dislikes being apart
from its human owner. They tend to bond primarily to one person but are
devoted to the entire family. Xolos are alarm dogs, not attack dogs.
They usually place themselves between master and stranger and insist on
remaining there.
Xolos are still 'primitive' in some of
their behaviors and reactions and require respect and structure in their
daily routine. They are extremely smart and respond very well to obedience
training. Consistency is very important when training the Xolo, as it is
in training all dogs.
The Xolo ranges in size from very small
Chihuahua size to quite large or Doberman size. The Xolo is a rare
breed, numbering approximately 4000 in the world. It is not common, even
in Mexico. Members of the Federacion Canofila
Mexicana began a registration and breeding program for the Xolo on May 1,
1956. Prior to that time the Xolos were considered nearly extinct. In
the fifties the AKC recognized the Xolo for a short time. It is not an AKC
breed at this time.
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