Xoloitzcuintli - Top 10 Interesting Facts

The Xoloitzcuintli dog breed, sometimes called the Mexican Hairless, may well have descended from the first dogs to set paw on the North American continent.
There are Top 10 interesting facts about Xoloitzcuintli.

1) History

Since the 1500s these unusual dogs have been reported, and are thought to have originated in Mexico. Their history perhaps goes back to ancient societies such as the Aztecs since dog skulls have been found that resemble this breed's in size and shape that date to 3300 years ago in Central America.

2) Name

The Xoloitzcuintli is not exactly a well known breed of dog. With such a weird name, some may even think that it is a cat or probably a horse. The name derives from the Aztec word for God "Xoloti" and "Itzcuintli", the Aztec word for dog. Commonly, these dogs are referred to as the Mexican Hairless.

3) Healing Power

The Xoloitzcuintli was more than just a dog to the Aztecs; it was a sacred being with mythical powers. It was regarded as the guardian of human souls in the underworld. Because of this belief, the Aztecs used the Xolo as a treatment for various ailments, including stomach pains and rheumatism.

4) Religion Sacrifice

Xolos were often sacrificed when their owners died. It may sound cruel, but ancient peoples believed that a human needed his loyal dog to guide his spirit to the underworld. Xolos were buried with their masters, so their relationship would continue into the afterlife.

5) Xolos in Art

Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo had Xolos as pets and included the dogs in many of their paintings. Kahlo, who was famous for her self-portraits, often painted one of her Xolos sitting in front of her.

6) Soccer Mascot

The city of Tijuana in Mexico has a professional soccer team called the Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente, or the Xolos for short. Xolos are considered a national treasure in Mexico, so it's no surprise that they serve as a mascot for a soccer team.

7) Personality

The Mexican hairless is considered intelligent, even-tempered, affectionate and playful. The dog is also protective and will bark at intruders.
Some Mexican hairless dogs tremble easily, which could be related to nervousness or lack of warmth.
Because of the dog's smaller size, particularly the miniature variety, it may not do well with children who want to rough-and-tumble.

8) Coat

The Xoloitzcuintli comes in either hairless or powder-puff. Hairless Xolos have dark, wrinkly skin and can have thin patches of coarse hairs on the forehead, neck and tail. Powder-puffs come with a full coat. What’s surprising to many is that this dog comes in a range of colors. These include black, gray, liver, red, brown, bronze and golden yellow and combinations of the above colors with white, beige or tan.

9) Separation Anxiety

If you’re away from home for long periods of time, the Xoloitzcuintli is not the dog for you. He needs to be with people and can’t be left alone all day. If fact, if he is left alone too long, your Xolo may try to climb or dig their way out – separation anxiety can be an issue with this breed. They work well with a schedule and will become upset if it changes.

10) Size

Like Poodles, Xolos comes in three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. The standard is up to 23 inches tall at the shoulder, while the toy is only 10-14 inches tall, with the miniature falling in the middle. Xolos also come in coated and hairless varieties, hence their other name, "Mexican Hairless Dog." When you consider the different size and coat type combinations, this means that there could be up to six different variations of the breed.

Source:

http://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/xoloitzcuintli/
http://www.akc.org/content/entertainment/articles/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-xolo/