Xoloitzcuintle

The Xoloitzcuintle is an ancient breed of dog native to Mexico. It is believed that this breed was brought to Mexico by the country's ancient inhabitants, the Aztecs, thousands of years ago. The breed is characterized by its elongated body and rectangular head.

General details

The breed is of medium size, with a weight ranging from 10 to 15 kilograms, and a height ranging from 20 to 43 centimeters. Its life expectancy is 13 to 18 years. The Xoloitzcuintle belongs to Group 5 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which includes Spitz and primitive type dogs.

Breed history in brief

The Xoloitzcuintle, also known as the "Mexican Hairless Dog" or "Mexican Water Dog", is an ancient breed of dog known for its lack of hair or fur. This breed originated in Mexico and dates back to pre-Columbian times. Xoloitzcuintles were primarily used as companions and guardians, and are believed to have been revered by the ancient civilizations of Mexico as sacred animals. This breed of dog was bred by the Aztecs, Mayas and Incas. Today, the Xoloitzcuintle is a very popular dog breed in Mexico and around the world. This breed has become a popular choice for dog lovers looking for a small-sized pet. In addition, the Xoloitzcuintle is the national dog of Mexico and has been depicted on many Mexican works of art, such as the Mexican peso coin.

Breed characteristics

This breed is characterized by its elongated body, strong limbs and rectangular head. Its eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped and alert, and the ears are long and erect. Its coat is very short and soft, with a fine, silky texture. This dog breed has three coat varieties: hairless, short-haired and long-haired. The hairless variety is the most common and is characterized by a smooth, hairless, bare skin. The short-haired and long-haired varieties have a thicker protective coat of hair, but are also soft to the touch. The most common coat colors are brown, black, gray and brindle, but lighter to darker shades can also be found. This dog is very intelligent and easy to train, it is also very affectionate and loyal, making it an excellent pet to have at home. This breed is calm, cheerful and intelligent. However, it is distrustful with strangers, but it is an excellent companion and good guardian.

Common health problems

Some of the most common diseases affecting this breed of dog include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, elbow dysplasia, oculocutaneous albinism and hypothyroidism.