Mexican Hairless Terrier: Origin, Personality, Fitness
& Health
Group: Terrier; Southern
Foundation Stock Service of AKC;
Interim Utility Group of KCGB
Also Known As: Xoloitzcuintli;
Xoloitzcuintle – pronounced show-low-its-queen-teli
Xolo; Mexican Hairless
AKC Ranking: 117
About
Mexican Hairless Terrier
Origin and History
of the Breed
The Xolo is one of the oldest
breeds, dating back at least 3,000 years.
Various artifacts from the tombs of Colima,
Mayan, and Aztec Indians of Mexico show the
dogs. It is thought that they were taken with
ancestors of the Aztecs from Asia to Mexico.
They were thought to have curative and mystical
powers. Although they were kept as pets, their
other uses were more valuable – bedwarmer,
sacrificial offering, food, guide to the after-life.
In fact, their fame as bedwarmers is known
worldwide. Extremely cool nights were known
as “three dog nights.” The toasty,
warm heat emanating from the dog’s body
was known for relieving stomach pain, joint
pain, etc.
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The Mexican Hairless is seen today
through South and Central America. They are becoming
increasingly popular again in the United States
and United Kingdom. They are non-allergenic and
very clean. They make good companions and are used
extensively for therapy dogs. They are great obedience
and agility dogs.
A General Appearance of
the Dog
There are three sizes of Mexican
Hairless Terriers – Miniature, Standard and
Toy. Each comes coated or hairless. The Hairless
are the more popular, thus the name Mexican Hairless.
The Hairless has no hair except possibly a tuft
on the head and one on the tail. Its skin is soft
and smooth, but can take the elements. The coated
variety has a full coat of hair which is short and
glossy and they shed very little. This breed has
a broad skull and a black or skin-colored nose.
Its eyes are almond-shaped and dark. The first thing
you notice is its ears which are bat-like, large,
erect and very mobile.
Coat Color
Solid, uniform and dark colors
are preferable. Black, dark grey, red, liver, bronze
and blonde are acceptable. There are also spotted
dogs of any color including white spots.
They change colors as they mature.
Coat Type
Hairless can have some tufts of
harsh hair on the head and back of the neck and
end of the tail that may be any color but should
not reach great length.
The Coated Xolo has a short, sleek, glossy coat
all over.
Height
- Miniature (KCGB and Mexico) or Toy (AKC):
9.75-13.75 ins
- Intermediate (KCGB and Mexico) or Miniature
(AKC): 14.25-17.75 ins (15 – 20 inches)
- Standard (KCGB, Mexico and AKC): 18-23.5 ins
(20 – 30 inches)
Weight
- Miniature (KCGB and Mexico) or Toy (AKC):
5 – 15 lbs
- Intermediate (KCGB and Mexico) or Miniature
(AKC): 15 – 30 lbs
- Standard (KCGB, Mexico and AKC): 25 –
40 lbs (even up to 60 lbs.
Personality
Temperament of the Dog
The Mexican Hairless is a particularly
loyal and intelligent. They are called ‘velcro
dogs’ because of their ability and desire
to stick close to their people. They have an uncanny
sense about their family’s physical and emotional
states. However, they need someone to be a strong
leader and teacher or they will lead and run the
whole household. All family members must be involved
in some way in rearing and training the Mexican
Hairless Terrier as it will bond to those who are
involved with it.
Mexican Hairless Terriers are
not barkers, but they have extremely keen hearing,
so if they alert you, you should take notice. They
naturally stay aloof to strangers, preferring to
be protective of their family. If properly socialized,
they will be good with guests and with children.
Contrary to popular belief, the
Mexican Hairless is not a vegetarian; however, he
does love vegetables.
Xolo are easy to housetrain and
obedience train.
All sizes of the Xolo like to
climb to get to their people, or to see what they
can see. They have been known to climb trees as
well as furniture and to even climb onto horses
to ride them.
A Mexican Hairless does not tolerate
teasing or any type of abuse.
These hairless dogs have no fur
or dander and no possibility of fleas so they are
popular with allergy and asthma sufferers, those
who suffer with pain or loneliness and depression,
and those who are fastidiously clean and neat.
Better suited to an indoor
or outdoor lifestyle?
The Mexican Hairless and the Xolo
with hair must be kept indoors. They are great for
apartment dwelling.
Are they suited to homes
with kids?
They are great with children.
Just teach the children how to respect the dog and
not tease it and involve the children in the care
of the dog (and the dog in the care of the children)
and the dog will be very loyal and protective of
the children. Because the Xolo love to play, they
will enjoy playing with the children.
Activity
Level
How Active is the Breed?
This is a very active breed. They
love to play with toys or a playmate of the same
breed or their human family.
How Much Exercise Does
the Dog Need at every stage of its Life?
During the first year of the dog’s
life, he will need a great deal of attention, exercise,
discipline and training. If you work full time,
you may want to consider hiring a trainer, or at
least a dog walker (or using doggie day care). Be
sure to get someone who is familiar with the needs
of the breed.
They will settle down after the
first year and can stay home alone for seven or
eight hours but will be extremely happy to see you
and will be very attached to you during the hours
you are at home.
The Xolo would love to go to work
with you and would do very well at work as they
are usually content to be with you and are easy
going with coworkers.
They want some very active things
to do – like jogging, hiking, or long walks
if they do not get enough active playtime.
Grooming
Over-bathing can strip the skin
of natural protection causing more harm than good.
Also over lotioning and sunscreening can clog pores
and damage skin, causing acne and such. So only
bath and lotion or sun screen as needed. Let the
Xolo's natural protection do its job. Dark colored
and solid colored Xolos have the hardiest skin,
Spotted and light colors require more care.
Bathe and lotion once or twice
a month, or only as needed. Sunscreen as you would
yourself in very sunny weather.
Use hypo-allergenic gentle human
products - baby shampoo, a basic lotion and sun
screen.
For the winter dry ear tips and
feet,: Bag balm or udder butter. For the occasional
acne or pimples especially in teenage Xolos, and
to keep skin soft and remove dead skin build up:
St. Ives exfoliating scrub or similar product. Exfoliate
with a buff puff and bath a needed, then lotion
with a nice hypo- allergenic light product. There
are some nice lotions with sun screen in them. Or
a favorite is Bullfrog for babies.
Health
and Care
The Xolo is a hardy and healthy
breed if the breeder has paid attention to skin
issues, temperament, and conformation.
Xolos (even those with hair) will
need and want a sweater in cool weather or if the
house is cool.
The Xolo’s skin is hardy
and requires little care. Do not bathe too often
as that strips necessary oil from the skin, causing
more problems than it solves. See grooming for tips
on lotion and sunscreen.
Litter Size:
An average litter of five will have four hairless
and one coated Xolo.
Life Span: 15
– 20 years is common.
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National Breed Clubs
US – The Xoloitzcuintli
Club of America – www.xoloitzcuintliclubofamerica.com
Xoloitzcuintle Club USA – www.xoloworld.com
Other Recognition
Standard: FCI, NKC, CKC, APRI
Miniature: FCI, NKC, CKC, APRI
Toy: AKC, CKC, NKC, CKC, APRI, ACR
They are part of the Foundation
Stock Service of the AKC.
They have interim breed standards
with the KCGB.
Rescue Link: www.uskbtc.com/category.php/9
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