Millenary and peculiar is the xoloitzcuintle dog, also known as the Mexican Aztec dog or xolo. It is originally from Mexico, a place where it is highly appreciated and is considered a living archaeological jewel, since this breed of dog was already a companion of the Aztecs more than 7,000 years ago. Its appearance is unique, since it lacks hair, and for this reason it is also known as the Mexican hairless dog. All this and much more in this article on our site about the characteristics of the xoloitzcuintle dog, history, character and care.
Origin of the xoloitzcuintle dog
The Mexican xoloitzcuintle dog was present in the life of the ancient Aztecs, as confirmed by various archaeological finds, such as elaborate statuettes with terracotta or pictorial representations made by this incredible culture, and which adorned buildings of various kinds as well as many sacred places.
This breed of dog was venerated by the Aztecs, since they considered it a living representation of their god Xototl, the Aztec god of death, which had the appearance of a man with the head of a dog. Despite being the god of death, Xototl was not evil, since he was in charge of guarding the underworld. The Aztecs believed that the xoloitzcuintles dogs were created by their god, who made them with a splinter of the bone of life to guide the deceased on their journey to the afterlife, which is why when someone died they were sacrificed and buried. along with the deceased. But the benefits of these animals were much more, since it was considered that contact with them alleviated pain, as well as that the consumption of their meat had various benefits both at a ritual and nutritional level.
After the colonization of America, the xoloitzcuintle breed suffered a marked decline, reaching bordering on the extinction, but in the 19th century, thanks to various breeders who sought to preserve this dog breed, it was achieved that in the 50s the FCI decided that they should take measures and look for specimens that remained pure, in order to cross them and keep them from disappearing.
Physical characteristics of the xoloitzcuintle dog
The xoloitzcuintle are classified into three subtypes according to their height and size:
- The standard variety, which weighs between 11 and 18 kilograms and is 51 to 76 centimeters tall.
- The medium, with 7 or 14 kilos and 38-51 cm.
- Finally, the smallest, which would be the toy with a range of between 2 and 7 kilos and 23-26 cm.
Looking at the physical characteristics of the xoloitzcuintle dog in all its versions, we see that its body is compact and muscular, its head is thin, with a straight muzzle and no hair, or with little hair, the eyes are almond-shaped and usually brown, the nose can have different colors depending on the color of the coat, ranging from black to brown, gold, pink or spotted. Their ears are erect and triangular in shape.
About the coat it can be noted that normally they have no hair, but there are specimens that may have some hair. If so, it will be short and dense, and it will be more abundant in the head and tail. Likewise, it should be noted that there is a variety of xoloitzcuintle with hair on its entire body, short, smooth and without undercoat. In terms of colours, there is a wide range of shades that can appear, such as brown, black, grey, bronze, blond, reddish or spotted, but, in In general, they tend to be solid colors and rather dark, both in the hairless and coated varieties.
Character of the xoloitzcuintle dog
Focusing now on the character and temperament of the xoloitzcuintle, we highlight that it is ideal for families, since it is a obedient, intelligent, loyal and very friendly dogHe is also a wonderful watchdog due to his ability to stay alert and attentive, as well as his courage.
If we want a xoloitzcuintle to be part of our family, we must know that it is an ideal playmate for the little ones in the house, because it is playful and very patient, never being aggressive. In addition, these moments of play will allow him to release the energy that he possesses and we will ensure that he remains calm and balanced.
In general, xoloitzcuintle dogs are affectionate animals, who love that we pay attention to them and dedicate our time and affection, that is why if we spend many hours away from home, this breed may not be the most suitable for us. In these cases, our xoclo may be mischievous and may cause damage to the furniture, in addition to the sadness caused by that loneliness, and may develop separation anxiety.
Xoclos are incredibly intelligent and attentive, so their training will become simple and pleasant, since in a short time we will see the fruits of our efforts.
Xoloitzcuintle dog care
Due to the absence of hair, xoloitzcuintles are more exposed to wounds, burns, allergies or scratches on their skin, therefore we must pay special attention to factors such as sunlight or allergens that may come into contact with your skin. Even so, their skin has an incredible ability to regenerate before injuries or burns. Therefore, if our animal is going to be exposed to the sun's rays, it would be necessary to apply protective creams to prevent burns.
On the other hand, since the skin is exposed, it must also be bathed frequently, since the xoloitzcuintle dog has a tendency for dirt to lodge in the skin pores, causing pimples, which can lead to more serious infections. or less serious. For the bath you should use specific products for sensitive skin and a suitable sponge that does not irritate the skin in order to provide the best care for the xoloitzcuintle. Once bathed, it is advisable to apply moisturizing products, we can ask our veterinarian for the most recommended options, such as oils or creams for use on animals. And for the care of the xoloitzcuintle with hair, it will be necessary to add two or three weekly brushings to remove dead hair.
The lack of hair makes them ideal dogs for those who are allergic to canine hair, being a hypoallergenic breed Apart from Due to these special considerations for the breed, the preventive measures typical of any canine breed must be taken, such as internal and external deworming, vaccinations, a balanced diet, exercise, oral hygiene and eye and hearing checks to guarantee the care of the xoloitzcuintle dog..
Education of the xoloitzcuintle dog
As we have already mentioned, the education of xoloitzcuintles dogs will not be complicated, so that by following some basic guidelines and with a little perseverance, we will achieve excellent results in a reasonably short period of time. It is recommended to start training in as early stages as possible, since it will be easier to instill the basic rules in our animal when it is still a puppy. Despite this, even as an adult it can be educated without major problems, because it is a breed with a high capacity for adaptation and learning at any stage of its development.
A good socialization is necessary so that our animal is balanced and can relate correctly both with other animals and with children, or humans in In general, if this is not the case, he can be sullen and distrustful of strangers.
Training must be carried out with specific measures such as avoiding collars that could damage their delicate skin. For example, they usually recommend nylon or natural fiber collars that do not irritate or cause chafing. Likewise, positive training techniques should always be used, such as rewards, and never punishment or physical violence.
He alth of the xoloitzcuintle dog
Despite being a he althy breed in general, they can, like other breeds with similar characteristics, present some conditions with a higher incidence, such as hip dysplasia , for this reason we must make regular visits to the vet in order to diagnose it as soon as possible and thus prevent it from getting worse and more serious complications appearing. In turn, they may present other joint problems such as patella dislocation.
Something to note in this section on the he alth of the xoloitzcuintle dog is the propensity to suffer from oral problems such as loss or absence of teeth, or malformations both of them and of the jaw. That is why we must be attentive to the care of their teeth, brushing their teeth with the appropriate products and going to veterinary check-ups.
On the other hand, they also seem more likely to suffer from liver disorders, but above all, the problems they most frequently present are those associated to the absence of fur, that is skin disorderss such as dermatitis, allergies or greater thermal sensitivity due to the lack of the layer of hair that protects your skin from all these actors.
Considering all this and carrying out the pertinent veterinary check-ups and tests, following the schedule of vaccinations and deworming, as well as keeping the eyes, mouth and ears clean, we will have a he althy and strong animal with which to enjoy wonderful moments.
