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Introduction to the Xoloitzcuintli History of the Xoloitzcuintli
Enter content here One of the world’s oldest and rarest breeds, the Xolo can justly be called the first dog of the Americas.
Since ancient times, the Xolo has held a special religious significance for many New World cultures. Clay and ceramic effigies
of Xolos date back over 3,000 years and have been discovered in the tombs of the Colima, Mayan, Toltec, Zapoteca, and Aztec
Indians. The famous Colima pottery dogs of western Mexico, date from 250 BC- 450 AD, provide evidence of the intricate bond
which has existed between man and Xolo for centuries. Highly prized for their curative and mystical powers,
the Xolo’s breed purity has been maintained throughout the ages. Ancient clay representations bear witness to the fact
that the breed has remained virtually unchanged for centuries. Modern day Xolos bear striking resemblance to these primeval
artifacts. The Xolo is truly a living link to the glory of these ancient cultures. The name Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-etz-queent-lee)
is derived from the name of the Aztec Indian god Xolotl and Itzcuintli, the Aztec word for dog. The Xolo’s
reputation as a healer persists to this day. Believed to ward off and cure numerous ailments much of their value was due to
their reputed medicinal powers. These superstitious beliefs remain surprisingly prevalent today. According to legend, sleeping
with a hairless dog would bring relief from a variety of ailments within four days. Xolos were recommended
for
curing toothache, colic, rheumatism, arthritis,
back pain, just about everything from paralysis to broken bones. No doubt, the soothing warmth which radiated from a sleeping
Xolo, provided some relief to the sufferer. Jesuit priests who lived among the Indian tribes during the 17th and
18th centuries, reported that any good Indian host offered his guests two or three Xolos as bed warmers, which
is the basis of the saying “three dog night.” Esteemed
as guards and protectors, Xolos were believed to safeguard the home form evil spirits as well as intruders. In ancient times
Xolos were often sacrificed and buried with their masters, in order to guide the soul on its journey to the underworld. Xolos
were also used as a food source throughout Mexico, Central, and South America. Many believed that eating the meat of a Xolo
would offer a form of spiritual protection. Dogs were considered a great delicacy and consumed for sacrificial rites, marriage
ceremonies, and funerals. Different colored Xolos were regarded as having special meaning for these rituals and ceremonies.
Recognition and Registration of Xolos Well
known and well documented through the ages, Xolos were among the very first breeds admitted to the American Kennel Club studbook
in 1887, under the name of Mexican Hairless. The first AKC registered Xolo “Mee Too” a Miniature hairless male,
was descended from Mexican Stock. The first, and only AKC championship awarded to the breed, went to a Toy hairless male,
Chinito Junior, on Oct. 19, 1940. Because of their
rarity Xolos were registered and exhibited infrequently. For this reason, they were dropped from the AKC studbook in 1959.
Fortunately the Canadian Kennel Club did not follow this course, and in 1989 for the first time, a Canadian championship was
awarded to a Toy Xolo. In 1999, the CKC officially revised the breed’s name to Xoloitzcuintli. The
breed was first recognized by the Mexican Kennel Club (FCM) on May 1, 1956. Prior to that, the breed had been perpetuated
by secluded Indian tribes in remote parts of Mexico and Central America. Countess Lascelles de Premio Real was primarily responsible
for the reestablishment of this almost extinct native breed. In 1955, she personally mounted a search and rescue effort to
locate dogs and introduce them into organized breeding programs. The Xolo is now designated as the official dog of Mexico,
and is recognized by all FCI countries. The breed entered the AKC Miscellaneous Class January 1, 2009.
Characteristics of the Breed A choice of
three sizes, ease of care, and an eye-catching prehistoric appearance, make owning a Xolo a real joy. Xolo also offer the
advantage of being hypoallergenic and can often be tolerated by many allergy sufferers. With their aristocratic bearing and
sleek outline, Xolos are often compared to Dobermans or Manchester Terriers. Just as sturdy, fearless, and strong as their
larger counterparts, Toy Xolos are Toys in name only. All three sizes
exhibit the typical temperament of a working breed. They are reserved and wary of strangers, but never timid or aggressive.
Although patient with children and other pets, Xolos do not easily tolerate an outsider in their home. Their reputation as
a guard dog is well deserved. A Xolo is extremely affectionate with its owner, but not overly demonstrative with others. They
are quick to develop an undying devotion to one person, and often pine in their absence. Remarkably easy to housebreak, Xolos
are known to be fastidious in their personal habits and will even clean and groom themselves like a cat. There
are two varieties of Xolos, hairless and coated. The hairless has only a short tuft of coarse hair on its head, tail, and
feet. Xolo skin is thick and protective, highly resistant to injury, sunburn, and insects (including fleas
and ticks), while at the same time, soft, smooth and warm to the touch. The coated variety is covered in a short, glossy,
dense coat. Darker colors predominate, black, slate, and blue, but lighter shades of liver, bronze and
red occur regularly. Solid colors predominate, but many have small white markings on the chest or toes. Brindle, spotted,
and black and tan dogs are rarer but do occur occasionally.
Genetics of Hairlessness The
hairless trait occurs regularly in many species and hairless dogs have been reported in many regions of the world. The Xolo
is by far the oldest hairless breed as well as one of the oldest known indigenous New World breeds. The Xolo’s hairlessness
is due to a dominant gene. Every hairless Xolo carries both the (H) dominant hairless gene, and the (h) recessive hairless
gene. This means that every hairless Xolo transmit either hairlessness, or a full coat of hair to its progeny. The recessive
expression of this gene (hh) produces the coated Xolo, and does not carry the hairless gene. Although
the genetic aspects of the hairless trait are well understood, the inclusion of coated Xolos in breeding programs remains
controversial. It is well-established that hairless breeding programs will always produce a percentage of coated puppies.
Both the FCI and FCM breed standards have traditionally ignored the existence of this variety. In contrast the XCA
decided to recognize both varieties from the club’s inception in the belief that concurrent efforts to perfect both
varieties can only benefit the breed as a whole. General Care and Health Incomplete
dentition is genetically linked to the dominant hairless trait, and many hairless Xolos are missing either their premolars,
or some incisors, and often have primitive tusk like canine teeth. This feature is normal in the hairless
but coated Xolos must have complete dentition. Although they feel quite warm to the touch, a
Xolo’s body temperature is exactly the same as every other breed of dog. They feel warmer due to the lack of an insulating
hair coat. Xolos are a hardy breed and do not need special care. Only a minimal amount of grooming is needed to keep your
Xolo in top condition. Hairless Xolos should be bathed weekly to prevent pimples and blackheads. An occasional
currying will maintain the smart appearance of the coated variety. Xolos are a
hardy breed, and remain free of many of the inherited health problems known to plague other breeds. They have a high natural
resistance to fleas, ticks, and many common canine illnesses. Severe reactions to routine vaccinations have been known to
occur in the breed, as have adverse reactions to some cortisone type drugs, flea control products, and heartworm medications.
They do feel the cold, and will appreciate a sweater or coat when going out in inclement weather. They do well on any high
quality commercial diet, and are especially fond of fruits and vegetables. Xolos
are naturally free whelpers and excellent mothers. Unlike their sleek and statuesque parents, Xolo puppies are fat, wrinkly,
blunt nosed, floppy eared, and short legged. It is amazing to watch the metamorphosis as they develop into lean, muscled,
elegant adults. Xolos generally mature by one year of age, arriving at a calm outlook on life and a dignified demeanor.
Their large expressive ears may take up to a year to become fully erect. The average lifespan of a Xolo is 12-15 years.
Breeding Programs of Today The Xolo no longer
teeters on the brink of extinction but still remains relatively rare. Xolo breeders in the US today are working to refine
and maintain the health and quality of the breed through carefully planned breeding programs. A breeder referral list, and
a copy of the XCA breeder code of ethics may be obtained from the XCA.
The Xoloitzcuintli Club of America The XCA was formed
on October 26, 1986 by a group of individuals devoted to promoting and protecting this very rare breed. As club membership
and activity expanded the decision was made to incorporate the organization, giving it a more official status in its quest
for AKC recognition. The XCA has made ongoing efforts to establish ties among Xolo breeders and enthusiasts throughout the
world, and has encouraged cooperation between breeders in order to broaden the base of viable, documented bloodlines within
the Xolo gene pool. The XCA studbook was turned over to AKC in 2004 and AKC FSS registrations were issued for all XCA registered
Xolos at that time. Membership in the XCA is widespread throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
Since 1987 the XCA has published an official club newsletter, THE XOLO NEWS. It is available to all club members,
and by subscription to anyone interested in the breed. XCA is also involved in breed rescue through its own official Xolo
Rescue League. Any Xolo in need of a good home may be turned over to the club for foster care, medical treatment and re-homing.
All XCA rescued Xolos are neutered prior to rehoming. For information about Xolo rescue or placement contact Kay Lawson (azuwyn@yahoo.com) The XCA hosts an official chat list at XoloNews@yahoogroups.com, and a website at www.xoloitzcuintliclubofamerica.com.
The Online Xolo News is published 4 times per year. The annual subscription rate is $28.00 domestic
and $36.00 foreign. Name:
_____________________ Address:____________________ City:_______________________ State:_____ Zip:______________ Send to: The Xolo News Amy Fernandez, editor Friskit666@aol.com |
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