01/10/2025
History of the Xoloitzcuintli
The Xoloitzcuintli is a rare and ancient breed and is sometimes mistakenly confused with the Chinese crested, another hairless dog. Except for the hairlessness, however, the two breeds are quite distinct.
According to some sources, the Mexican hairless was brought across the Bering Strait with the first people who came from Asia to populate the American continent.
However, skulls of dogs resembling the Mexican hairless and dating back 3,300 years have been found in Mexico. This raises the possibility that the Chinese may have gotten their hairless dogs from Mexico and that the Mexican hairless did, indeed, originate on the American continent. In fact, some speculate that the Chinese crested may have originated by crossing the Mexican hairless with the Chihuahua.
Mexican hairless dogs were used by ancient people for a variety of purposes including companionship, hunting and protection. The dogs also were believed to have curative powers for ailments such as arthritis. In fact, they give off more body heat than coated dogs and make perfect hot water bottles. Today, they are companion dogs.
