Xoloitzcuintli

 

Briefly about the breed

• The naked variety may need protection from the sun in summer and the cold on cold days.
• The breed comes in three sizes: Miniature, Medium and Standard.
• The Xoloitzcuintli is intelligent, lively and alert.
• The breed has a rich history in Central and South America and is Mexico’s national breed.
• The Xoloitzcuintli is a strong breed with great endurance and is suitable both as a family dog and a guard dog.

History

The Xoloitzcuintli, also known as the naked dog, has existed for thousands of years in Central and South America. It has had a significant role in several Central American cultures and is Mexico’s national breed. The breed has been depicted in clay figurines from the Colima culture dating back to 3000 BC.

Characteristics/Mentality

The Xoloitzcuintli is intelligent, lively and alert. It is a strong breed with great endurance. The breed is considered a family dog, but also has good watchdog qualities. The Xoloitzcuintle is a happy, lively and sociable dog. Some individuals can be reserved towards strangers, but they are never hostile or aggressive.

Size/Appearance

The breed comes in two varieties, naked (sin pelo) and furred (con pelo), as well as three sizes: Miniature (25-35 cm), Medium (36-45 cm) and Standard (46-60 cm). Preferred colors include black, grey, liver, bronze, blonde and red. Markings and spotted patterns are also common.

Health

To date, there are no recorded breed-related health problems for the Xoloitzcuintli. The club nevertheless recommends patella testing for all breeding animals. Eye scanning is also recommended for miniature and medium-sized varieties, as well as eye scanning and HD/AD X-ray for Xoloitzcuintli Large.

Fur grooming

The fur on the furry version is easy to maintain, as long as it is straight. The bare variety may need lubrication if it becomes dry or needs protection from the weather.

The breed club

In general, it is recommended to contact the breed club for more information about the breed.Good luck!