About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 58-74 cm

Height range  : 25-60cm

Weight range : 7-25kg

Coat : hairless or short coated|hairless skin may have coarse hair on head , feet and tail|coated variety has short smooth thin fur

Life expectancy years : 13-18

Colors: black|bronze|gray|slate|red|liver|blue|yellow-blonde|palomino|brown|with possible white spots or markings.

Activitity Level : Moderate

Origin: Mexico

Similar Breeds : Peruvian Inca Orchid|Chinese Crested|American Hairless Terrier

 

History

The Xoloitzcuintli has roots going back more than 3000 years in Mexico and Central America and is tied to Aztec , Mayan , Toltec , Zapotec and Colima cultures. Its name comes from the Aztec god Xolotl and the breed was believed to guide souls and possess healing powers. The breed survived near extinction and later revived as a national cultural icon of Mexico.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

calm|loyal|alert|intelligent|even-tempered|friendly

Personality

calm|loyal|alert|intelligent|cheerful|gentle|even-tempered|affectionate

Needs

consistent skin care|moderate daily exercise|positive structured training|sun and cold protection|dental care|measured feeding

Social Needs

bonds closely with family|can do well with children and other dogs|often wary of strangers|prefers company and may struggle if left alone too long

Grooming 

Hairless Xolos need regular skin attention with occasional or every few weeks bathing using gentle products followed by dog-safe moisturizer or lotion. Wipe skin with a damp cloth between baths to clear oil and dead cells and use sunscreen outdoors. Coated Xolos need minimal brushing plus nail trims , ear cleaning and dental care.

Nutrition

Feed a high-quality balanced food appropriate for size and life stage and keep portions measured on a regular schedule. Puppies should eat at least three times daily and adults are commonly fed twice daily. Fresh water should always be available and weight should be monitored closely because the breed can be food-motivated.

 

Breed Standard

Companion or watchdog type ancient Mexican breed|three sizes|hairless and coated varieties

Did you know?

The Xoloitzcuintli is considered the official dog of Mexico and its name comes from the Aztec god Xolotl. Hairless individuals often feel warm to the touch and were historically believed to have healing powers.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Canine Ectodermal Dysplasia, Luxating Patella, Atopic Dermatitis and Skin Acne, Canine Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy

 

Symptoms

1. Missing premolars or other teeth , misshapen teeth , dry sensitive skin , sunburn , acne and skin abrasions may occur.

1. Intermittent skipping gait , sudden hopping on three legs , knee popping , stiffness and reluctance to jump or climb may occur.

1. Redness , blackheads , pustules , scratching , licking paws , hyperpigmentation , scarring and irritation may occur.

1. Bunny-hopping , stiffness when rising , trouble with stairs , limping , hip pain and hind-limb muscle loss may occur.

1. Night blindness , hesitation in dim light , dilated pupils , increased eye shine and eventual daytime vision loss may occur.

Onset of symptoms

 

Canine Ectodermal Dysplasia

Hairlessness and missing dentition are visible from birth and changes continue through early development as teeth erupt.

Probability Of Onset:

High breed-specific risk is described in hairless dogs and missing teeth are a common normal trait linked to hairlessness.

Atopic Dermatitis and Skin Acne

Acne is especially common in adolescence or puppies 12 months old or less and atopic skin disease typically manifests between 1 and 3 years of age.

Probability Of Onset:

High risk is described because exposed hairless skin lacks a protective fur barrier and acne is commonly noted in the breed.

Luxating Patella

Signs typically become noticeable between 4 and 12 months of age though mild grades may remain unnoticed until adulthood.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate to high risk is described especially in toy and miniature varieties.

Canine Hip Dysplasia

It can present during rapid growth between 4 and 12 months or appear later as osteoarthritis in mature adulthood.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate risk is described and is mainly associated with the standard size variety or developing dogs with orthopedic predisposition.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

It typically presents from young adulthood to middle age around 3 to 6 years of age depending on the mutation line.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate risk is described for inherited lines with autosomal recessive mutations.

Reasons

Canine Ectodermal Dysplasia       

 Protective hair and normal ectodermal development are lacking because a FOXI3-linked hairless mutation affects skin glands and tooth buds. This leaves exposed skin more vulnerable to dryness , abrasions and sun injury. Normal premolar development may also be lacking from birth. The provided texts describe a genetic developmental deficit rather than a simple dietary lack.

 

Atopic Dermatitis and Skin Acne

A protective fur barrier and strong epidermal barrier function may be lacking in hairless skin. This can make pores more vulnerable to clogging and the skin more vulnerable to environmental allergens , irritation and secondary folliculitis. Omega-3 support is described as helping the skin lipid barrier and inflammation control. The texts frame this as barrier weakness plus allergen exposure rather than a single missing compound.

 

Canine Ectodermal Dysplasia       

 Protective hair and normal ectodermal development are lacking because a FOXI3-linked hairless mutation affects skin glands and tooth buds. This leaves exposed skin more vulnerable to dryness , abrasions and sun injury. Normal premolar development may also be lacking from birth. The provided texts describe a genetic developmental deficit rather than a simple dietary lack.

Atopic Dermatitis and Skin Acne

A protective fur barrier and strong epidermal barrier function may be lacking in hairless skin. This can make pores more vulnerable to clogging and the skin more vulnerable to environmental allergens , irritation and secondary folliculitis. Omega-3 support is described as helping the skin lipid barrier and inflammation control. The texts frame this as barrier weakness plus allergen exposure rather than a single missing compound.

 

Luxating Patella

 No specific nutrient deficiency is explicitly described in the provided text. Normal kneecap stability is lacking because the quadriceps alignment , trochlear depth or tibial alignment develops abnormally. This can allow the patella to slip and may increase wear on the joint over time. The condition is developmental and orthopedic rather than a deficiency disease.

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Normal hip joint congruity and stability are lacking because the coxofemoral joint develops abnormally and remains lax. Cartilage support may be lost over time which can lead to degeneration and arthritis. The sources also state improper dietary balance and rapid growth may worsen expression in predisposed dogs. This is a polygenic structural disorder rather than a single chemical deficiency.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

  1. No specific nutritional deficiency is explicitly described in the provided text. Normal retinal rod and cone function is progressively lost because inherited mutations drive photoreceptor degeneration. This can make affected dogs increasingly susceptible to night blindness and then full blindness. The condition is genetic rather than caused by absence of one nutrient.

Normally Treament Methods

Canine Ectodermal Dysplasia:

  1. Management may include softened or specialized kibble , pet-safe sunscreen , moisturizing balms or dog-safe lotions and gentle non-comedogenic bathing. Over-bathing is not recommended because it may strip natural oils and worsen dryness or acne.

 

Luxating Patella:

  1. Mild cases may be managed with weight control and physical therapy while severe or painful cases may require surgical correction.

 

Atopic Dermatitis and Skin Acne

  1. Care may include medicated topical cleansers such as benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine , wipe-downs to keep pores clear , allergy evaluation , immunotherapy , and short-term anti-itch medications. Exposure to irritating chemicals and harsh bathing is not recommended because sensitive skin may worsen.

 

Canine Hip Dysplasia:

  1. Management may include lean body condition , controlled low-impact exercise , anti-inflammatory medication , physical rehabilitation and severe cases may require femoral head ostectomy or total hip replacement.

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

  1. No medical or surgical cure exists and management may involve routine ophthalmic evaluation , environmental adaptation for vision loss and genetic screening of breeding lines. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Canine Ectodermal Dysplasia :

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for supporting skin barrier integrity.
    2. Omega-6 fatty acids can,might be helpful for supporting exposed skin and mucosal tissue.
    3. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for skin support.
    4. Zinc can,might be helpful for preserving skin and mucosal health.
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Luxating Patella

  • 1. Glucosamine hydrochloride can,might be helpful for cartilage support.
    2. Chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for joint support.
    3. MSM can,might be helpful for reducing joint discomfort support.
    4. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA,DHA) can,might be helpful for reducing joint inflammation.
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Atopic Dermatitis and Skin Acne

  • 1. High-dose Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA,DHA) can,might be helpful for reducing systemic and skin inflammation.
    2. Quercetin can,might be helpful for supporting allergic skin control.
    3. Skin-targeted probiotics can,might be helpful for supporting epidermal and immune health.
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Canine Hip Dysplasia

  • 1. Glucosamine hydrochloride can,might be helpful for maintaining joint support.
    2. Chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for cartilage support.
    3. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for suppressing joint inflammation.
    4. Green-lipped mussel extract can,might be helpful for cartilage hydration support.
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy

  • 1. Lutein can,might be helpful for retinal cellular support.
    2. Zeaxanthin can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    3. Vitamin A can,might be helpful for retinal health support.
    4. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for antioxidant eye support.
    5. Coenzyme Q10 can,might be helpful for retinal cellular health.
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