The Xoloitzcuintli or Mexican hairless dog as preferred to call by most who simply can’t bother making out the X word, is a dog originating from Mexico. This dog has an interesting story as it is said to be the guardian of the Dead and is seen on pictures and sculptures guarding the entrance for those who has crossed over. The dog got its name from two seperate entities, the first part from two words in the language of the Aztecs: Xolotl, the god of lightning and death, and itzcuintli, or dog.
According to Aztec mythology, the Dog of Xolotl was created by the god to guard the living and guide the souls of the dead through the dangers of Mictlán, the Underworld.
The Mexican hairless dogs comes in three variations. The dog breeds in standard, miniature and toy dog size. You can also get this dog as hairless or coated. comes in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard, and two varieties: hairless and coated.
The Xoloitzcuinti hairless dog skin is smooth, close fitted and tough while it's coated counterpart sports a flat short coat. The color ranges of both variations are the same, ranging from bronze, red, slate, black, liver.
These dogs do not require any special nutrition which may be different from other dog breeds. The higher the quality the dog food you feed the Mexican hairless dog the better for the animal. Just as with any other dog breed, ensure that the dog is fed well and fed on time. Do not over feed or underfeed the animal. A standard weight should be maintained at all times. Ensure that the dog has fresh drinking water daily.
Grooming
Dogs without coat require little to no grooming. The coated dogs have very minimal grooming care as short coats are easy to brush and maintain and shedding is at very minimal. Ensure that the Dogs get their regular bath and the skin is lathered with non irritant dog shampoos. Beyond just bathing and brushing, the dog's nails should also be trimmed. One thing you must remember if you require the hairless breed variation is that it should not be kept in the sun for prolonged periods as this may cause sun burns in the dog.
Health
Xolos are normally healthy animals. The Xolo Dog Breeder must screen their dogs for certain conditions such as Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Eye disorders and Patellar.
- Luxation: Means 'out of place' or 'dislocated'. Luxating patella is a kneecap that moves out of its normal location. Dog owners may notice a skip in their dog's step or see their dog run on three legs. Then suddenly they will be back on all four legs as if nothing happened.
- Hip Dysplasia: In dogs, hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is a genetic trait that is affected by environmental factors.
- Eye Disorder: Look out for any common eye disorder in your Xolo breed. Some common eye disorders in dogs include:
- Blepharospasm.
- Cherry Eye.
- Corneal and Scleral Wounds.
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) or Dry Eye
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
- Glaucoma.
- Cataracts
- Entropion.
- Patellar: The patella is a small bone located in front of the knee joint — where the thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia) meet. It protects the knee and connects the muscles in the front of the thigh to the tibia.
Dogs will be dogs, the Xolo likes to play and will fancy long walks or brief runs. All dogs needs regular exercise to keep it fit and healthy and the Xolo is no different. But the good thing about this dog breed is that it will not be lifting up the dinner table to get a walk or run as it is very tranquil around the home.
Xoloitzcuintli Dog For Sale
Xoloitzcuintli dogs are sold by reputable dog breeders. Always ensure that you check out the dog breeder to ensure that the animal is bred in a clean and stress free atmosphere and the dogs are properly cared for until sold. Before you buy the Mexican hairless or coated dog, always esquire about the dogs health and right after purchase, bring the animal to a vet to get it fully checked.