Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintli) Breed Information and Buying advice

Why Mexican Hairless' are great

As one of the oldest breeds in the worlds, the Mexican Hairless has been favoured throughout history by greats such as the Aztecs and Mayans. Called Xoloitzcuintle (pronounced show-low-its-queen-tli) which translates as God Dog, they were believed to have healing properties thanks to the warmth that radiates from them. They are striking, with little or no hair, and large upright ears. These independent thinkers are inquisitive and loyal, making them a loving companion. Some highlights:

1. As calm dogs, Mexican Hairless' are great in a house with children
2. With no hair there's no shedding or fleas, so very easy to maintain
3. Known as 'Velcro dogs', you can expect them to really love you, following an owner around and napping at their feet
4. Being highly intelligent you can easily train them

 

Things to consider when looking at Mexican Hairless' for Sale

As with any breed, there are some characteristics that wouldn't suit all households. Some downsides to the Mexican Hairless:

1. Mexican Hairless puppies and adults need a lot of exercise
2. As they are so affectionate, they can suffer from separation anxiety
3. They need mental stimulation and can get destructive when bored

 

History of the Mexican Hairless dog

Being such an ancient breed, there are years of interesting history that come with a Mexican Hairless. The first evidence of the breed is in Aztec times where people believed that the dogs could heal ailments. As they have no coat you can feel their body heat much more strongly, giving them a warm, soothing effect. It was believed that this would ease aches and pains. Although hairless dogs have existed across the world for centuries, the Mexican Hairless is believed to be the oldest of them all. Although they have come in and out of popularity, in recent years they have garnered a strong following in the UK thanks to the calm and affectionate nature. Unfortunately, there aren't that many breeders in the UK, so if you want a Mexican Hairless puppy, it's worth getting on a waiting list.  

Appearance

Of course, the stand out feature of the Mexican Hairless is the lack of fur. You can expect to see some hair on the top of the head and tail, but most of the body will be smooth and bald. Whilst young, Mexican Hairless puppies can be light in colour and sometimes darken as they age. The pointy, bat-like ears make them an expressive and cute companion. There are a huge range of colours you can find a Mexican Hairless in, so aesthetic isn’t an issue even without fur.  

How big is the Mexican Hairless?

Both male and female dogs range from 40-60 cm at the withers, but they do come in a variety of sizes from standard to toy.  

How heavy is a Mexican Hairless?

Mexican Hairless dogs are lean dogs, with both sexes ranging between 11-27 kg.  

What Colour is the Mexican Hairless?

The Mexican Hairless can come in a variety of colours. You can find them in shades of black to grey, bronze, red, fawn, lilac, spotted, tricolour and many variations in-between.  

Temperament

Do Mexican Hairless' make good guard dogs?  

Mexican Hairless dogs are very loyal, so you can expect them to alert the household to any dangers or intruders. They're not known to be aggressive, instead of staying back and letting owners know of a situation with a bark.  

Do Mexican Hairless' bark a lot?

Mexican Hairless puppies do love to bark, so it's important to stop this behaviour with proper training so it won't become a problem in later life. However, it's not a problem people usually find with the breed.  

Are Mexican Hairless' easy to train?

Mexican Hairless' are incredibly intelligent so very easy to train. If you want good results, a consistent routine is important as they are strong-willed. Showing who's boss is essential to make sure they don't start to rule the household. Like many dogs, it's important to socialise a Mexican Hairless puppy when they're young to make sure they're well-adjusted.  

Are Mexican Hairless' playful? 

Mexican Hairless dogs are very inquisitive and love to play, so you can enjoy all sorts of activities with them. As such intelligent and lively dogs, they make good companions for hiking, running, and other sports.  

Are Mexican Hairless' good with children? 

As long as a Mexican Hairless puppy has proper socialisation it can get on well with children. It usually has a calm temperament which can be great in a family household. Make sure the whole family is involved with feeding and play so the dog doesn't become attached to one person and aloof with others.  

Are Mexican Hairless' good with other pets?

Mexican Hairless' still have an instinctive 'prey drive' so should be kept on a lead around other animals and pets they don't know. Good socialisation early on and proper training makes these situations easier.  

Can I leave a Mexican Hairless Alone?

As Mexican Hairless dogs are loyal pets they can become stressed when left alone for long periods of time. It's best to always have someone in the house with them. As such intelligent dogs, they can easily become destructive if they get bored.  

Do Mexican Hairless' like water?

Most Mexican Hairless dogs love water, especially in warmer climates. They do get cold very easily, so bringing a jumper or something warm could be important if they get chilled in the water.  

Health

How long do Mexican Hairless' live?

You can expect your Mexican Hairless puppy to grow up and be with your family for anywhere between 12-20 years.  

How much exercise does a Mexican Hairless dog need?

Daily exercise is important in keeping a Mexican Hairless happy and active. A long walk or jog suits them well.  

What are Mexican Hairless dog Common health issues?

Although there aren't many specific health issues associated with the breed it's still important to watch out for joint and eye problems as they age. It's also good practice to regularly wipe down a Mexican Hairless with a damp cloth so they don't develop acne.  

Care

How much space do I need for a Mexican Hairless dog?

Mexican Hairless dogs do well with a range of home sizes, as long as they have all their needs fulfilled. Proper room to roam and play is important as they need mental stimulation, then somewhere to take them on a daily walk is essential.  

What should I feed my Mexican Hairless? 

After picking up a Mexican Hairless puppy from the breeder, you can stick to what the they were previously eating, then gradually introduce a new routine. Older dogs need feeding twice a day with good quality food that meets all their daily nutritional requirements.  

How much grooming do Mexican Hairless dogs need? 

Thanks to the lack of fur they are easy to look after with very minimal grooming. Occasional brushing or wiping down the body helps to prevent acne and keep them clean and healthy. A bath is also a way to keep them looking their best, and nails should be regularly clipped.  

Do Mexican Hairless dogs shed?

A Mexican Hairless puppy will not shed as they do not have fur, but occasional down can sometimes be found.  

Average costs

How much does it cost to keep a Mexican Hairless?

As a rough guide in pricing: Cost to buy: roughly £800-£1500 for a well-bred Mexican Hairless puppy Food, insurance, vet bills: £50-£80 per month  

Specific Buying Guide

You can read our general buying guide here (/advice-on-buying-a-puppy/), with the most important thing being going to view your Mexican Hairless Puppy, seeing it with its mother, and checking the quality of the breeder. More specifically, here is some Mexican Hairless puppy buying advice:

1. As they are a rare but popular breed in the UK it's important to avoid breeders who overwork the dam to more than 4 litters.

 

Other reading, Adopting Mexican Hairless Puppies and Rescue Organisations

A big thank you to the following sources who helped to shape this article: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/xoloitzcuintli/ https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=4081 https://xolopbr.com/