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Dogs - Xoloitzcuintle

The name is not as unpronouncable as it looks. There are clips on You Tube one can listen to. To me, it sounds like "sholo quintly." The x is pronounced as sh or ch. The "o" is as in low. "Show-low-eats-queent-lay."  Itzcuintli is the Aztec word for “dog.”
They are called xolos for short. (Sholos). They also get called "Mexican Hairless Dogs."

For information about Xoloitzcuintles in South Africa, contact Anton van Staden  083 600 0482, or Dawn 0716797155, email avsprok@mweb.co.za, Website: www.adencrown.co.za 

The breed is popular in Mexico. Xoloitzcuintles go back thousands of years in history. It is said the breed nearly died out because Aztec and Spaniards of long ago used to eat them. Now some fanciers of the breed have restored it and a Breed Standard has been established. One interpretation of the name is "hairless dog." Apparently the hairlessness developed naturally and was not engineered by breeders. Some have a patch of hair on their heads. There are no eyelashes.

Best known as the Mexican Hairless Dog, but this breed is not always hairless, some dogs are born with a short, smooth coat. Dogs, like humans, can get sun burn and skin cancer, so the hairless dogs should be kept indoors when the sun is high. They feel cold in winter so put a coat on. The hairless type can have a tuft of hair on the head and tail. Another hairless breed is the little Chinese Crested dog.

The hairless type has a slim, sleek look, like a greyhound. One would not see the true outline of the dog if it had long, shaggy hair.

An outstanding feature of this breed is the erect ears which give the dogs an alert appearance, like a deer whose pricked up ears are ever listening.

People who are alergic to dog hair might consider this breed. Another advantage is - no dog hair on the furniture or one's clothing, and they need no grooming. They are calm, good-natured dogs who make trainable pets. It's important to consider exercise requirements as in South Africa the dogs must be kept out of the blazing sun. There must be shade in the garden.

The Xoloitzcuintle dogs come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard

Toy: Height 23 - 36 cm at the shoulder. Weight 2.3 - 6.8 kg

Miniature: 38 - 51 cm at the shoulder. Weight 6.8 - 14 kg

Standard: 51 - 76 cm at shoulder. Weight 11 - 18 kg and up to 27 kg

Colour :  Any dog colour, including spots. Pigmentation in the skin presents creates the colours.

This breed has a high neck and alert ears. I'm sure they hear the slightest sounds of nature - leaves rustling, insects humming. They can sense the presence of God. "You are great, O Lord God... according to all that we have heard with our ears." 2 Samuel 7.22