The Mexican Hairless, also known as Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolo (show-low) comes in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy; along with these, the breed also comes in two varieties: coated and hairless. Out of the two types, the hairless one gained the most popularity among owners and breeders alike.
The hairless can sometimes have a short tuft of hair on its tail, as well as on its head. The hairless Xolo has soft skin, smooth to the touch, yet it is hardy to the elements. This breed also comes in a variety of colors that can range from black to slate, bronze, red, gray, brindle, fawn, spotted or solid.
The coated Xolo has a full coat of hair. Its hair should be short, sleek and clean, much like the coat a Doberman has; it requires regular brushing, but it sheds very little. On average, four out of five Xolo puppies are hairless, whereas only one is coated. This breed is very robust, with a broad skull and a skin-colored or black nose. It has almond-shaped eyes which are dark or the same color with the dog. The one thing every variety of this breed has in common is the large, bat-like ears. They have a very keen sense of hearing, which makes them excellent guard-dogs. Another unique feature is that Xolos tend to change colors as they mature.
The Mexican Hairless tends to be very loyal, athletic, alert and extremely loving towards its family. However, unlike with other breeds, with this one, it is very important that all family members play a role in leadership, training, rearing and feeding. Failure to do so will result in the Xolo bonding to the people or person who assumes these roles. This breed is very protective with its family and is naturally aloof with strangers, however, if properly socialized, it tends to be very good with children. Because of its love for vegetables, the Xolo is said to be vegetarian; however, it does not shy away from meat.
Because of its high intelligence, this breed is very easy to housetrain, tends to learn very quickly. With the Xolo, the owner or owners must be the leader, or it will lead and run the house as it pleases. The Xolo is also often nicknamed the Velcro dog, because it tends to stay with its owner all the time and it seldom runs off or away. Because of the lack of fur, this breed lacks problems that would normally come with it, thus it tends to be very popular with dog loves that suffer from allergies and asthma. Also, due to the lack of hair, it tends to do well with people that suffer from arthritis-type ailments because they radiate a warm soothing, healing heat.
The Xolo does not tend to bark without reason, nor is it a hyper breed, so when it is agitated or barks, it is to alert its owners. The Mexican Hairless, requires daily walk more than most dogs, due to its primitive nature; do this, and you will be rewarded with a well-balanced dog.
