- The Mexican hairless is an intelligent, elegant, even-tempered dog.
- Xoloitzcuintli (show-low-etz-queent-lee) or simply Xolo (show-low) were considered sacred dogs by the Maya, Aztecs, and Toltecs.
- The name Xolotl comes from an Aztec god of lightning and death; the word itzcuintli means dog.
- The native people believed the xolo had healing powers and put them in bed as a heating pad to heal rheumatism, stomach pain, asthma and other illness.
- The dogs were kept in houses to ward off evil spirits.
- The Aztec god Xolotl gave this dog as a gift to humankind with instructions to guard him with their life.
- Archaeological evidence dates this dog back to over 3,000 years ago.
- Xolos were sacrificed when their owner died and buried with them to guide their spirit to the afterworld.
- They come in three sizes, ranging from 10 to 50 pounds.
- Their skin sweats more than other dogs’; although their hairless body feels much warmer, it is the same temperature as furred dogs.
- This breed is likely to suffer from separation anxiety.
- Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera brought the dogs back “in style” by including them in their paintings and keeping them as companions.
- One in five xolos is born with fur.
- The hairless breed has tough skin with only a few patches of coarse hair, a mohawk on the top of its head, the tail and its neck.
- These dogs come in a variety of colors: black, gray, red, tan, blonde and brown
- The hairless dogs typically have an incomplete set of teeth, while the coated dogs have a complete set.
Considering adding a xolo to your family? It is important to understand that they are a sensitive indoor dog that does not like to be alone. They are extremely loyal to their family, but typically become bonded to one person in particular.
