About the Xoloitzcuintli ("show-low-ets-queent-lee")

By Arik Engstrom (Solstice Xolos)

History

Xoloitzcuintli (alt. spelling Xoloitzcuintle) are an ancient landrace breed of American origin, native to modern day Mexico. Records of their existance date back to at least 3000 years. They were present during both the Mayan and Aztec empires, and were held in high regard as spiritual beings by both cultures. In Nahuatl culture, Xolos are believed to be from the god, Xolotl, and to assist human souls in traveling through the land of the dead, into the afterlife. As village dogs, Xolos are watch dogs who will alert their people to the presence of strangers or other possible threats. They are healers, with their high heat output making them wonderful living hot water bottles, soothing aches and pains from arthritis and other ailments. They are companions of all, but especially children, elderly, and disabled people.

During the invasion of the Spanish colonizers, they recognized that Xolos were sacred to the Nahuatl people, and so made efforts to eradicate the breed as a part of their genocide efforts. However, they failed, as the Xolos are a landrace and naturally occurring breed, and were able to survive in small, remote populations over much of Mexico. The combined efforts of fanciers from the USA and in Mexico have helped maintain this marvelous breed and preserve them.

Coated and Hairless

The trademark characteristic that the average lay person knows a Xolo for is their hairlessness. The hairlessness that Xolos exhibit is due to a mutation of the FOXI3 gene. It is dominant, and lethal when in the homozygous form. This means that each and every hairless xolo carries one copy of the hairless gene, and one copy of the non-hairless (therefore coated) gene. As a result, breeding xolos will always produce a mixture of coated and hairless offspring. In hairless x hairless pairings each embryo has a 50% chance to come out hairless, a 25% chance to come out coated, and a 25% chance to die well before developing into a puppy. In hairless x coated pairings each embryo has a 50% chance to be hairless, and a 50% chance to be coated. As a result, the xolo population is split roughly 50/50 in hairless and coated. 

Both hairless and coated xolos can be shown competetively, though hairless tend to have an advantage in the show ring. Coated xolos do shed, and the amount they shed varies quite a bit. For a very long time coated xolos have been considered less desirable by the dog show world. As a result, early on it was very common for breeders to dispose of coated pups, only using hairless for breeding. This is likely due to a lack of knowledge in the genetic behavior of the FOXI3 gene, and an assumption that eventually coated xolos could be weeded out. This, of course, is incorrect and we know better now. As a result, we see a huge variety of coat types present in the breed, as only ever paying attention to hairless meant that a lot of other coat types were carried, but undetectable. Modern DNA testing and an understanding of the canine genome means we can start to test xolo coat types, and select for the desired coat type when choosing breeding dogs.

For example, Kipo (my coated miniature male) has 1 copy of the furnished (wired) gene. This gene is dominant, and he inherited it from his hairless sire. So Kipo is wire coated. However, because he is structurally exceptional, we will simply be pairing him to hairless bitches who are not furnished. As a result, we can begin weeding the furnished gene out of his line. Currently the majority of the xolo population likely carries (or is) furnished, wavy, long-coated, and/or double coated. The desired coat type is a short, straight, single coat. We cannot simply remove all dogs exhibiting the incorrect coat type from the genepool, as that would devestate the population. Instead we make wise breeding choices using modern science and DNA testing. 

The Modern Xolo

Work in Progress

"The Xoloitzcuintle is a silent and calm dog, cheerful, alert and intelligent, he might be suspicious toward strangers, he is a good watchdog and an excellent companion. He is never aggressive." -FCI Standard

The modern day Xolo is not exactly the same dog that existed in pre-Hispanic Mexico. When the colonizers arrived they brought with them European dogs, particularly Spanish war and guard dogs. These dogs, of course, interbred with the indigenous dogs, resulting in a variety of mixed breeds. With the hairless gene being dominant, this trademark Itzcuintle characteristic was maintained even in mixed litters.

The concept of a breed standard for Xolos did not exist until the late 1940's, when they started to be exhibited in Mexican Kennel Club (Federación Canófila Mexicana) shows. The standard was developed based on what was known of the pre-Hispanic indigenous dogs, as well as the European design of standardbred dogs. So while our modern Xolo is not exactly the same as the dogs of 3,000 years ago, they still directly trace their lineage back to the pre-Hispanic indigenous dogs of Mexico. There are many street dogs in Mexico who are considered Xoloitzcuintli, in fact the FCM has allowances in place to observe and register street dogs who are assessed to be close enough to the breed standard to be considered purebred, and then used in breedings with other registered dogs going forward. This has allowed the breed to retain genetic diversity, and maintain their ties to being landrace Mexican village dogs.

Understanding the origin and history of the Xoloitzcuintli allows us to understand our modern day Xolos in a more intimate fashion. They are village watch dogs, expected to be alert and aware of their surroundings at all times, suspicious of strangers, but friendly and approachable to familiar people and family. There should be no dog aggression or human aggression in a Xolo, a dog who is a bite risk or frequently getting into fights with other dogs is one that would not be welcome in the community. As a result, they are indifferent or aloof towards unfamiliar people, but eager to solicit food and attention from those they have met before, and being extremely loyal and affectionate with family members. Xolos are excellent pack dogs as well, typically not exhibiting dog aggression or same sex aggression. Standard sized Xolos can be more guardy in nature, and all Xolos are keen to bark loudly and explosively towards percieved threats in order to call their person's attention.

With a strong sense of self-preservation, Xolos are not keen to engage threats, being inclined to retreat and alarm bark unless no other option is available. Reactivity is common in adolescent dogs, who are still trying to learn how to determine what is or is not a theat. I make a point to make training available for all of my puppy buyers to help them get through the fear periods and reactivity common in young Xolos, so that they can get through it to mature into confident dogs.

Xolos age like wine, maturity bringing out the very best in them and helping them become remarkable dogs that are quick to steal your heart. I don't know of anyone with a Xolo who is able to stop at just having one in their life. When first meeting one, they can seem like serious, stoic dogs. They're extremely observant and alert, and tend to offer a lot of eye contact. Strangers are typically only worth a few moments of notice to a Xolo, unless said stranger is doing something unwelcome such as entering the xolo's home or yard without permission. They may offer a polite sniff, and then are quick to return to their business, ignoring the unfamiliar person. Once you have become familiar, though, you see an entirely different side to Xolos which is what makes them so easy to love (and collect!) They are incredibly goofy, playful, and fun-oriented dogs. They will try absolutely anything you ask of them, so long as you make it a fun experience.

Being street dogs in origin, Xolos have incredible endurance, but are not hyperactive. They take to settling well, but will break into bursts of zoomies and roughhousing when the moment feels right. I can take my Xolos on hours long hikes and they will not slow down or falter in step, or I can let them run around for 20 minutes in the yard then hang out on the couch for hours at a time. They make remarkable family dogs when mature, but can be very challenging when adolescents. A xolo is typically friendly and gentle with children, and always good at picking up on when someone is unwell (physically or emotionally), and are happy to offer the comfort of laying alongside you, or in your lap. Taika, my oldest, always seems to tell when my Lupus is causing pains, and will lay down along my knees, legs, etc, and the warmth of her body heat helps to ease the pain. The others try, but aren't quite as good at targeting where I'm hurting, but will contently curl up against my chest to offer their support and comfort anyways.

Xolos are very intelligent, and very capable problem solvers. They aren't demanding of a job the way herding or working breeds are, but they very much require enough enrichment and stimulation to work their brains in order for them to thrive and be comfortable settling. High food drive is typical of the breed, and you can use this to construct puzzles for them to work out such as scattering food in a snuffle mat or puzzle toy, or even hiding tidbits around the house to do some scentwork games. Training a Xolo is not quite as straightforward as modern breeds, but they are very trainable, and very much benefit from at least a basic understanding of obedience and house manners.

Training a Xolo

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This page is intended for educational purposes. Please credit Arik Engstrom if you reference, quote, or copy any of the provided information.