A little look at life together.
Getting to know the Xoloitzcuintli
The Xoloitzcuintli is a Mexican companion and watchdog found in toy, miniature, and standard sizes, with hairless and coated varieties. Confirm both size and coat variety before planning care, including appropriate skin protection for hairless dogs.
An everyday routine
Make space for substantial daily activity and short learning sessions. A busy weekend cannot replace a dependable weekday routine.
Coat care to plan for
Care differs between hairless and coated Xolos. Discuss appropriate skin protection with a veterinarian for a hairless dog and learn the coat routine for a coated individual.
Before deciding, meet the individual dog and ask about their history, handling preferences, and current routine. Breed tendencies are a starting point, not a promise about personality.
Xoloitzcuintli questions
How do you pronounce Xoloitzcuintli?
It is pronounced "show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee". Most people simply say Xolo. The name joins Xolotl, an Aztec god, with itzcuintli, the Aztec word for dog.
Are all Xoloitzcuintli hairless?
No. The breed has two varieties, hairless and coated, and both can be born in the same litter. A coated Xolo is covered in a short, flat, close-fitting coat. A hairless Xolo may have a little short, coarse hair on the top of the head, the feet and the end of the tail.
How big does a Xoloitzcuintli get?
It depends on which of the three sizes you have. The toy is 10 to 14 inches and 10 to 15 pounds, the miniature is 14 to 18 inches and 15 to 30 pounds, and the largest size is 18 to 23 inches and 30 to 55 pounds. Ask a breeder or shelter which size a dog is before you plan around it.
Are Xoloitzcuintli hypoallergenic?
No dog comes with an allergy guarantee, and that includes hairless ones. A Xolo's saliva, skin and sparse hair produce the same irritants as other dogs, and tolerance has to be judged person by person. Some people with allergies do live comfortably with the breed. Spend time around a Xolo before you commit.
Do Xoloitzcuintli shed, and how do you care for hairless skin?
Xolos shed very little. Coated dogs need only occasional brushing, and hairless dogs need regular baths. Young hairless Xolos often go through a spell of adolescent acne. Sun care is a question for your veterinarian, since hairless dogs may need sunscreen for prolonged time in direct sun. Ask what suits your dog.
How long do Xoloitzcuintli live?
Most live 13 to 18 years, with an average of roughly 14 to 17. These are breed-wide figures, not a prediction for one dog.
Are Xoloitzcuintli good family dogs, and do they bark a lot?
Xolos are devoted to their own people and calm around the house, but often reserved with strangers. They tend to bond most closely with one person while still loving the whole family, and they need socialization from puppyhood onward. They are serious watchdogs that bark with purpose and not constantly. Young Xolos are busy and need plenty of exercise and structure.
How old is the Xoloitzcuintli breed?
Very old. The breed has a history of at least 5,000 years in Mexico, and clay figures of hairless dogs have been found in ancient tombs that date back more than 3,000 years. It was registered in the United States as the Mexican Hairless from 1887 to 1959 and then dropped as numbers fell. It was recognized again, as the Xoloitzcuintli, in 2011.
