Where the Xoloitzcuintli came from
The Xoloitzcuintli, often called the Xolo, is an ancient Mexican breed, often hairless. The name comes from the Nahuatl language and the god Xolotl. Old stories say the god made the breed, but that is myth.
Clay figures of hairless dogs have been found in burial sites in West Mexico, and similar dogs were found in Maya and Toltec burial sites. Spanish accounts from the 1500s also describe these dogs.
Mexico recognized the breed in 1956. The AKC registered a Xolo as early as 1887, dropped the breed in 1959, and welcomed it back, with full recognition in 2011.
- 1887 A dog named Mee Too is the first Xolo registered with the AKC
- 1956 Mexico officially recognizes the breed
- 1959 The AKC drops the breed from its stud book
- 2011 The Xoloitzcuintli becomes eligible for the AKC Non-Sporting Group
The job a Xoloitzcuintli was bred for
Xolos were watch dogs and companions. That is why many are alert, bonded to one family and reserved with strangers.
What you may see at home
Alert, bonds to one family, reserved with strangers.
Give them: Fast CAT, agility, and short nose games. Protect the skin.
Sports that fit a Xoloitzcuintli
- Fast CAT. A short sprint that uses their lean, athletic build
- Agility. Quick, light and athletic
- Scent work. A calm job for a watchful dog
- Rally. Good bond building with their handler
Training tips for a Xoloitzcuintli
- Socialize early with new people and places, and pay calm behavior.
- Reward good behavior and keep sessions positive. They are sensitive.
- Teach a quiet cue, since they are alert watchdogs.
- Protect the skin. Use sunscreen and a coat in cold weather for hairless dogs.
Body and health
Hairless dogs can get sunburn and cold easily, and may have missing teeth. Coated Xolos exist too. Ask your vet about skin care.
Fun fact. A Xolo named Dante appears in the film Coco, released in 2017.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Xoloitzcuintli is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Free tools for your dog
- Breed drive calculatorMixed breed? Add the other breeds and see the drives your dog was bred with.
- Dog breed quizTen photos, four names each. The same quiz our trainers take.
- Dog drive testAnswer everyday moments and find the job your dog runs on.
Looking for a different breed? See what 137 breeds were bred to do, and download any of their guides.