Xoloitzcuintli
dog Breed Profile
There are two sizes of Mexican hairless — one is from about 12 to 20 inches in height and the smaller, miniature variety is under 12 inches.
In this article
Upright ears (naturally)
Size
Weight
10-30 lbs.
10-25 lbs.
Height
15 in.
(at withers)
17 in.
Coat
Length
Hairless/Short
Color
Dark solid charcoal, slate, reddish gray, liver, bronze, pink or coffee colored spots
Care
Exercise
<20 minutes/day
Energy level
Average
Longevity
10-12 yrs.
Needs
Moderate
Traits
Moderate
Low
Drooling
Low
Digging
Low
Grooming Needs
High
Social Needs
Moderate
Club recognition
UKC Class.
Companion Dog
Prevalence
Rare
The Mexican hairless needs sunscreen applied when it is exposed to the sun.
There are two sizes of Mexican hairless — one is from about 12 to 20 inches in height and the smaller, miniature variety is under 12 inches.
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The Mexican hairless is considered intelligent, even-tempered, affectionate and playful. The dog is also protective and will bark at intruders.
Some Mexican hairless dogs tremble easily, which could be related to nervousness or lack of warmth.
Because of the dog's smaller size, particularly the miniature variety, it may not do well with children who want to rough-and-tumble.
The Mexican hairless is a house pet best suited to warm climates. It can withstand brief walks in cool weather if protected with a sweater or coat.
When exposed to the sun, sunscreen should be applied to protect his skin. Some Mexican hairless breeders advise routine bathing followed by application of a non-oily lotion to keep the skin from becoming dry.
He has moderate exercise requirements romping around the house and short walks should suffice.
The Mexican hairless usually can eat regular dog food, even though a full set of teeth may be lacking.
The Xoloitzcuintli is a rare and ancient breed and is sometimes mistakenly confused with the Chinese crested, another hairless dog. Except for the hairlessness, however, the two breeds are quite distinct.
According to some sources, the Mexican hairless was brought across the Bering Strait with the first people who came from Asia to populate the American continent.
However, skulls of dogs resembling the Mexican hairless and dating back 3,300 years have been found in Mexico. This raises the possibility that the Chinese may have gotten their hairless dogs from Mexico and that the Mexican hairless did, indeed, originate on the American continent. In fact, some speculate that the Chinese crested may have originated by crossing the Mexican hairless with the Chihuahua.
Mexican hairless dogs were used by ancient people for a variety of purposes including companionship, hunting and protection. The dogs also were believed to have curative powers for ailments such as arthritis. In fact, they give off more body heat than coated dogs and make perfect hot water bottles. Today, they are companion dogs.