Hello, my name is Arik Engstrom. I am the owner of Solstice Xolos. I am a professional dog trainer, training both basic pet obedience, specialty sport skills, and behavioral cases (primarily fear based reactivity.) My first Xoloitzcuintli, Taika, is who got me into the world of professional dog training, showing, and sports. I live with my dogs, my cats, and my younger sibling in the Adirondack region of northern New York. 

I grew up with Australian Cattle Dogs from high drive lines, my mother used to work them on cattle ranches out west, and the few left were elderly by the time I came into the picture, but still as sharp as ever (as one would expect of a cattle dog.) I grew interested in getting a well bred, purebred dog after our childhood poorly bred dogs (after the cattle dogs all passed) left an unfortunate lasting impression. For a long time I didn't think myself a dog person. In 2019, however, I started the hunt for a dog. I knew I wanted something with the intelligent, independent attitude of the cattle dogs, without the intensity of a high drive herding or working breed. Preferably something not inclined to be everyone's best friend, but not combative in nature. I did a lot of searching, but eventually it was my sibling who presented the idea of a Xoloitzcuintli. I had heard of the breed before, part of a documentary we watched back in my animal science classes, but assumed they were so rare I would never have the chance to see one. 

However, with the internet now at my fingertips, I began researching the breed, and falling in love. I brought home my first Xoloitzcuintli in 2020. I had been planning on a male, but it turned out that the best dog for me was a bitch puppy, who I named Taika. 

Taika was very easy in some aspects- she potty trained with ease, bonded to me quickly, and got along with other animals well. However she was also very challenging in other ways. When she hit her first fear period with me, I was a little overwhelmed and reached out to a local trainer. We went through obedience classes, and at 6 months old Taika earned her CGC. From that point out bond grew stronger and I got to watch her develop into a remarkable dog. The trainer she earned her CGC under became my mentor and hired me on, so I began my journey as a professional dog trainer. 

It was supposed to just be one dog. I told myself I was a one dog person. Of course Taika changed my mind, I was so in love with her, and the breed, that two years later I brought home my second xolo, and then my third. 

I have a host of absolutely wonderful mentors in the breed who welcomed me with open arms, and have been continuously building my knowledge and understanding of Xolos with each new addition. 

Taika, Kipo, and Nadja have helped me to enter the world of purebred dogs, showing dogs, and performance sports. We train and compete in Conformation, Rally Obedience, NACSW Scentwork, and Agility (standard and JWW.) My goal is to have well rounded dogs who have the opportunity to succeed in whichever venue they show an aptitude for. 

All of my Xolos are also breed ambassadors, helping to introduce new people to the breed, educate on Xolos and the importance of breed preservation, the challenges and benefits to keeping primitive dogs, and so on.

Besides the Xolos, I also have a Malinois named Bunny, who I adopted from a local rescue as she needed an experienced home, and plans to add some more "herdy bitey things" in the future.