Xoloitzcuintle: breed types, how to keep it?

The Xoloitzcuintle or Mexican Hairless Dog is well known not only in Mexico, but also far beyond its borders. On the territory of our country, the breed is also quite popular, moreover, dog breeders, having once bought such a dog for themselves, remain faithful only to this breed in the future.

The Xoloitzcuintle is a unique breed that was naturally formed without human intervention. Unfortunately, it was not possible to determine the exact cause of the appearance of hairless dogs, however, most scientists are inclined to the version of spontaneous genetic mutations in the population of their ancient ancestors. The progenitors of the Mexican hairless dog were brought to the American continent by discovererswho crossed the Bering Strait and settled on new fertile lands.

A legend has survived to this day that the god Sholotl, who was worshiped by the Aztecs, sent this noble animal to earth in order for it to accompany the departed to the gates of paradise. That is why the burial of a deceased relative was accompanied by the killing of the Xoloitzcuintle, and this ritual persisted in the Indian tribes for a long time. This fact is evidenced by archaeological excavations in Mexico and the United States, as well as the finding of mummified hairless dogs buried next to their owners.

Also found were Xoloitzcuintle clay figurines dated to the 5th century. BC e., which speaks of the special attitude of people towards these dogs.There is also an opinion that Mexican hairless dogs were eaten, believing that their meat possesses great magical powers that endow people with the gift of providence. In addition, the Aztecs believed that dogs were able to heal ailments, attributing this to their hot skin.

The idyll of the coexistence of the Aztecs and Xoloitzcuintles was violated by the conquistadors, who, conquering the New World, destroyed the culture and traditions of the indigenous population and imposed their own way of life on it. Together with many ancient rituals, dogs also fell out of favor, which foreigners considered a symbol of outdated ways and doomed to destruction. As a result of mass killings, which were often carried out in order to use animals for food, by the end of the 16th century. the population of the oldest dogs has reached a historic low. The breed was saved from extinction by a few of its representatives, who were lucky enough to live in the remote mountain settlements of Mexico.where the conquistadors simply could not get.

However, the revived breed by the beginning of the 19th century. was again subjected to mass murder, and this time purely for mercantile purposes. The fact is that enterprising Mexicans began to use the skin of dogs for sewing leather things. This outrage lasted for almost half a century, and only in 1850 cultural figures stirred up public opinion and drew attention to the problem of killing innocent animals. With the help of amateur dog breeders, it was possible to equip several expeditions and send them to the mountain villages of Mexico, where there was still a fairly numerous livestock of hairless dogs. Thanks to the surviving individuals, the first kennels were organized, and by 1887 the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club.

The further fate of the breed was not easy. There were also dizzying ups, such as the victory of the Mexican hairless dog at the show in 1940, and the annoying falls when dog breeders lost all interest in the breed, which is why the American Kennel Union removed it from its register. Dogs became fewer and fewer, and their owners practically stopped attending exhibitions. Thus, the Xoloitzcuintle was endangered for the second time and only through the efforts of enthusiasts rose from the ashes again.

The breed owes its second birth to cynologist Norman Pelham Wright, who in 1954 again went to remote Mexican villages and bought a dozen dogs from the Indians. Upon arriving home, he took up breeding work, during which a preliminary breed standard was formulated and the history of its origin was written.

An adult dog of the Xoloitzcuintle breed looks very impressive. The animal has a powerful build, graceful forms and has a fairly proportional physique.

• The main feature of the breed is its strong and elastic skin. It is absolutely immune to the bites of parasites and blood-sucking insects, and is also resistant to all kinds of injury and damage. The skin of adult dogs is very tight and does not form folds, and the only exceptions are the glabellar folds. Puppies, on the other hand, are literally covered with wrinkles, which are completely smoothed out as the animal grows older. Skin color can be very diverse. The standard allows for yellow, black, gray, brown and hazelnuts, which often have spots of a different color.

• The head of the animal is set high and in proportion to the size of the body. The skull has a wolf-like structure, a small protrusion at the back of the head and tapers slightly towards the nose. The forehead line is parallel to the muzzle, which, in turn, is characterized by smooth outlines and flat cheeks.

• The nose has a well-defined lobe, the color of which is completely identical to the color of the skin. So, in dark-skinned dogs the nose is almost black, in golden-yellow and bronze dogs it is coffee or flesh-colored, and in spotted dogs it is partially pigmented.

• Lips in an animal, they are rather dry and fit snugly to the teeth.

• The ears of the Xoloitzcuintle are large and long.set high, making the dog look like a bat. When the animal is alert, they stand almost at right angles.

• The eyes are almond-shaped and exactly repeat the color of the skin. The most common shades are yellow, amber, red-brown, coffee and black. The eyelids are dry and firm with a prominent gray, black or brown border. This gives the look attentiveness and alertness.

• Teeth in hairless dogs are rather weak, closing in a scissor bite, strong jaws, full dental formula is desirable but not required.

• The animal's neck is very graceful, smoothly widening at the base and passing into the withers. The scruff is light and elegant.

• The body of the Xoloitzcuintle is slightly lengthened and is related to the height at the withers as 10/9. The chest is slightly narrowed and located at the level of the elbows. The back is straight and short, with strong shoulder blades set obliquely. The loin protrudes slightly above the back line and has prominent muscles. The belly is tucked up, and the thin tail is decorated with a graceful tassel.

• The limbs are strong, straight and muscular, with the joints directed back. Occasionally, on the hands of the hare type, dewclaws are found, which must be removed without fail.

• Wool cover completely absent, although some individuals may have coarse and sparse hair 2.5 cm long on the forehead and nape.

Considering the characteristics of the breed, one cannot but dwell on the defects. Thus, a dog may be disqualified at an exhibition for clubfoot, the presence of a crest on the top of the head, a cat's paws, kyphosis, too loose skin forming numerous folds, a docked or shortened tail, round bulging eyes and drooping or docked ears. A too wide head, an irregular bite, a coat in areas where it is unacceptable is also considered a vice.testicles not descended into the scrotum, the presence of dewclaws, as well as abnormal behavior, which is expressed in excessive cowardice or, conversely, aggressiveness.

In addition, too feminine males and large bitches, albino dogs, as well as individuals with undeveloped muscles, pronounced dewlap and light pigmentation of the iris are considered a defect. However, owners of individuals that do not meet the standard characteristics should not be upset, as any Xoloitzcuintle dog can get a "zero" pedigree. As for the cost of the puppies of this rare graceful dog, it starts from 10 thousand and ends with 150 thousand rubles (2019).

Xoloitzcuintle is distinguished by its balanced character and calm disposition.Dogs are easily trainable and are perfect for a novice dog breeder as a first pet. A characteristic feature of hairless dogs is a developed sense of ownership, because of which they are especially sensitive to their things - toys, sleeping place and a cup of food. In addition, they are considered monogamous and choose one of the family members as their master. The pet will also communicate normally with other household members, but the leader will be recognized only in one person.

Mexican Hairless Dogs are considered to be good guards and watchmen, warning the owner of the danger of non-standard behavior. The dog will spin and fussily run around the owner, however, it will not give a voice. This model of dog behavior when visiting uninvited guests is very convenient for families with children and elderly people, whom the pet will not wake up with loud barking if suddenly someone knocks on the door. Dogs have restrained feelings towards strangers, however, and do not show obvious aggression. But if the animal sees that the owner or someone from the household is in real danger, it will immediately rise to their defense.

With regard to relationships with other animals, then in adult Xoloitzcuintle zooaggression sometimes occurs. However, it is aimed exclusively at unfamiliar animals, and within its family, the dog gets along peacefully with other dogs and cats. Another character trait of Mexican hairless dogs is excessive obsession, which is due to the pet's desire to take an active part in all family affairs. The dog is immensely happy when the owner takes it with him, and terribly upset when he is left alone in the apartment. Therefore, such a breed is not suitable for constantly absent owners, because it tolerates loneliness very badly and begins to howl.

A way out of the situation can be the purchase of another naked dog, with which the pet will quickly find a common language and will play while the owners are absent. As for the attitude towards children, Xoloitzcuintle gets along well with them and is happy to take part in all their undertakings. However, the instinct of "nanny" in these dogs is absent, therefore, from an early age, they need socialization in relation to children.

Mexican hairless dogs live from 12 to 15 years, and their life expectancy depends on the conditions of detention, the emotional state of the animal and the presence of hereditary and acquired diseases. Dogs of this breed are characterized by frequent allergic reactions and dermatitis, which are the result of improper diet or care. In addition, due to the lack of wool, the skin of dogs is sometimes injured when walking in the forest and playing with other dogs. For the same reason, sunburns are often observed on the skin. Therefore, despite the fact that the breed is originally from sunny Mexico, the presence of dogs on the street under the scorching rays of the sun should be limited.

Also, the most common conditions include cartilage weakness, which manifests itself in drooping ears, as well as tooth loss and the formation of unhealthy, foul-smelling plaque on the skin. If the described symptoms are found, the animal must be immediately shown to the veterinarian, who will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe treatment.

The Xoloitzcuintle is classified according to two criteria: the presence of wool and size. According to the first sign, absolutely bald, often having a small tuft of hair on the head, and short-haired individuals are distinguished. Hairless crested dogs have a “hairless” gene in their genotype, which mutated spontaneously at the dawn of the breed's origin. Such mutations are not uncommon in nature and are common in cats and rats.

Short-haired individuals constitute a numerical minority in the litter and are born as a result of the work of genes responsible for the undercoat and are in a recessive state. The presence or absence of hair is directly related to the condition of the teeth, which is why bald dogs do not have premolars and often lack incisors. In short-haired representatives of the breed, teeth are present in a complete set. Otherwise, hairless and downy individuals are identical and have no fundamental differences from each other.

According to the second criterion of difference (size), Mexican hairless dogs are standard, medium and miniature. The first type includes individuals with a height of 46-62 cm and weighing from 9 to 19 kg. The second group is represented by dogs 36-45 cm in height and 6-12 kg in weight. The third type includes mini dogs with a height of 22-35 cm at the withers, weighing no more than 8 kg.

Xoloitzcuintles are exclusively domestic dogs and are absolutely not suitable for outdoor keeping. Mexicans are recommended for people who are prone to allergic reactions to animal hair, as well as for families with young children and the elderly. Dogs are good because they do not emit a dog smell, which is present to one degree or another in almost all dogs.

From the first days of the puppy's appearance in the house, it is necessary to equip a bed for him and equip a place for eating. To do this, you need to purchase or make your own hands a soft warm mattress and place it away from heating appliances and drafts. Additionally, you need to prepare a blanket, which will be required at first, while the puppy is still small. However, adult dogs are also often sheltered, especially during the off-season in the absence of central heating.

An important condition for keeping a pet is walking. Walking with a Mexican should be from 4 months of age, after all the necessary vaccinations have already been affixed. The first time the pet should be taken out as often as possible - preferably after each meal and at night. Xoloitzcuintles quickly understand what is required of them, and by the age of 7 months they begin to go to the toilet on the street.

The Xoloitzcuintle is a carnivore, so half of its diet should be meat and offal. But given the fact that hairless dogs lack several teeth, the meat component should be given in the form of minced meat or canned food. The rest of the food must also be ground to a mushy state. However, this should be done only if the pet lacks 6 or more teeth, in other cases it is necessary to give the animal solid food. In this case, it is advisable to cut the meat into small pieces.

When compiling a menu for Xoloitzcuintle, it should be borne in mind that 70% of it should consist of food with a high protein content. If the animal is planned to be fed with natural products, then it is advisable to include turkey, lamb or rabbit meat in the menu, as well as lean sea fish, previously cleaned of bones. It is also necessary to give cereals, fresh and boiled vegetables and seasonal fruits, with the exception of citrus fruits. A couple of times a week, low-fat cottage cheese and sour cream should be included in the diet.

However, the most serious problem faced by Mexican hairless dog owners is their predisposition to allergic reactions to many foods. These include beef, chicken, some river fish, eggs, soy and sugar. In addition to these foods, the dog should not be given fatty, spoiled and expired food, smoked meats, pickles, spicy foods, baked goods, foods high in carbohydrates and artificial additives, legumes, mushrooms, tubular bones and potatoes. As an additive to food, Xoloitzcuintles should receive bone meal, fish oil (with caution) and vitamin-mineral complexes.

However, more often dogs prone to allergies are fed with adapted premium food, in which all the necessary elements are in optimal quantities and an acceptable combination. When choosing food, you should be guided by the size of the animal, as well as its age and activity.

Due to the absence of hair, grooming a naked Mexican dog is quite simple. Bald animals do not suffer from parasites, do not need regular brushing and frequent washing. In addition, Xoloitzcuintle does not shed or smell. Therefore, the main object of care for these dogs is the skin. It must be wiped weekly with a damp cloth and periodically lubricated with a special moisturizer, which should be purchased at a pet store.

Besides, The pet's skin must be protected from direct exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the dog must not be in the sun for a long time. Before walking, it is recommended to lubricate the animal's body with sunscreen, which should be thoroughly wiped off with a damp cloth upon returning home.

In winter, the animal must be dressed in a warm overalls, even if it is planned to take it to the toilet for just a couple of minutes. Hairless dogs should be washed every 3 months, as more frequent bathing can cause dry skin caused by the loss of the protective layer. Mexican skin needs to be moisturized regularly. As a moisturizer, you can use olive or almond oil with the addition of vitamins A and E. The short-haired Xoloitzcuintle is brushed with a soft brush a couple of times a week.

In addition to the skin, the pet's teeth, ears and eyes need care. To clean the teeth, the dog needs to buy chew toys or give a cleansing food, however, the best option is the classic weekly brushing with special pastes and brushes. The ears of the animal should be examined regularly for redness and discharge, and if necessary, cleaned with sanitary napkins and hydrogen peroxide. The eyes also need to regularly remove secretions with a damp swab and chamomile decoction. If there is pus or excessive discharge, the dog should be immediately taken to the veterinarian.

The claws of the animal should be trimmed as soon as the characteristic knock on the floor appears, and inspected after each walk for injuries. In rainy weather, place a basin of hot water at the front door before walking. During the walk, the water will cool down to a comfortable temperature, which will allow you to immediately wash off wet sand and dirt from your paws.

Xoloitzcuintle owners often encounter an unpleasant phenomenon: the formation of acne and blackheads on the pet's body.This is considered normal for puppies under 8 months old and is cleaned with a fine abrasive scrub and lotion.

Thanks to high intelligence and an innate focus on humans, the upbringing of the Xoloitzcuintle is a completely solvable task even for a beginner. The only thing to consider when training is the stubbornness and willfulness of some individuals, especially males. Therefore, you should not treat a pet of this breed on an equal footing. It is necessary from the first lesson to show the puppy who is the boss in the house and make him obey. Otherwise, the dog will grow up disobedient, and it will be quite difficult to call it to order.

The upbringing of a pet should start with its socialization. To do this, the puppy must be brought out as early as possible, introduced to other animals and children. Very soon, the little Xoloitzcuintle will stop being afraid of loud noises, traffic noise and large crowds. In the future, this will help to avoid problems when the dog is in society and make it safe for others.

You can teach a Mexican simple commands yourself, using the classic scheme of reward and punishment. The only thing that needs to be clearly understood is that in no case should you beat the pet. If the dog indulges in and does not want to follow the commands, then a loud shout and a stern look will be quite enough: Xoloitzcuintle is a very intelligent dog and she will immediately understand that the owner is unhappy. A general training course for a Mexican is necessary, especially for aggressive animals, which will be much easier for a professional to cope with. Once you start exercising, it is important not to skip your workouts or stop, even in cold weather. The dog should only be dressed more warmly and the training time should be slightly reduced.

Naked dogs should not be allowed to fight with other dogs, and when a conflict is brewing, animals should be immediately bred and taken on leashes. This requirement is due to the fact that the naked skin of the Mexican can be damaged in a fight, which will lead to the appearance of ugly scars.

When choosing a nickname for a Xoloitzcuintle puppy, it should be borne in mind that any name will not work for dogs with such an extraordinary appearance. It should be beautiful, noble and further emphasize the originality of the pet. The task is much easier when a dog is acquired in a breed nursery, in which it has already been given a name according to the pedigree and the merits of its ancestors on both lines. In this case, the nickname, if necessary, is reduced to one or two-syllable form, and it is to it that the puppy is taught.

If the name was not given to the baby, or only the first letter of the nickname was indicated, then the boy's pet can be called Amigo, Angel, Basco, Benito, Burito, Grand, Count, Diego, Hidalgo, Calypso, Carlos, Manuel, Mateo, Miguel, Nestor, Oswald, Oscar, Pecos, Real, Ricky, Sebastian, Tamale, Chavez or Charo. The girl can be called Aya, Bonita, Gringo, Dorothea, Zara, Isabelle, Camila, Consuela, Mariachi, Manuel, Martha, Naida, Olivia, Paulina, Rosarita, Hanoi, Jimena and Esperanza.

The Xoloitzcuintle is a rather exotic dog and attracts the attention of others. However, it is impossible to have a pet only because of the extraordinary exterior: a Mexican requires a sufficient amount of attention and claims to be a full member of the family.

For more information on the characteristics of the breed, see the next video.