We own three adult Xolos who we breed, Lilah, Katu, and Avilah. Lilah is our first female and is 5 years old. Katu is our little man, and is 3 years old. Avilah is now 2 and a wonderful addition to our little pack. All are registered with the FCM (Federacion Canofila Mexicana), essentially Mexico’s version of the American Kennel Club. The FCM maintains high standards for pedigree and Xolo registry
that requires inspection by an FCM certified vet. We acquired Lilah, Katu, and Avilah as puppies from two distinguished Xolo breeders in Mexico who have been breeding for decades and maintain quality bloodlines. Katu has lovely soft skin, loves to play, and is incredibly athletic. He is incredibly fast on his feet and would make a great candidate for agility training. Lilah is incredibly loving and loves to be “the good girl.” Still, as a Xolo, she has a fierce and playful side that reveals itself when she thinks Katu is soaking up too much attention. Avilah with her first litter is proving to be an excellent Mama, patient, dedicated and adoring of her pups. Xolos are very special dogs. They are ancient, at least 3,500 years old and among the oldest dog breeds in the Americas. They are also one of just a handful of hairless dog breeds in the world. They played important roles in the life of the Aztecs and the Mayans and hold an esteemed place in Mexican culture to this day. Brought to the brink of extinction, they have fortunately been making a steady comeback since the 1950’s. Still, they are considered rare with just 4,000 registered Xolos in the world. Owning a Xolo is an important way to keep this unique breed alive and to bring attention to these amazing dogs! XOLOS AS PETS
As pets, Xolos are known for being loyal, intelligent, and loving. They are considered a healing dog that will lay with you when you are sick, so they make great companion and emotional support animals. Some even believe they have powers to cure illness and employ them as therapy animals. As an ancient dog breed, they still have some wild instincts. They are very safe and not typically aggressive, but can take a bit more attention to socialize compared to other dogs. Their wild nature is one of their more interesting and endearing qualities, which can manifest in fierce, highly energetic play, in their innate protectiveness of those they love, strong will, and in what can be described as almost a sixth sense for what is going on around them in their environment. All this to say, Xolos make wonderful pets, and create a unique experience of dog ownership distinct from that of other breeds. XOLOS IN MEXICAN CULTURE
According to Aztec myth, Xolos were created by the gods to guide souls of the dead to the Underworld. Xolos had important stations in both common and ceremonial life for the Mesoamerican peoples. They curled up under blankets to keep their owners warm, warned the tribe against danger, and also served as an important food source. Xolos are also regularly found in Mesoamerican art and at archeological sites as part of ceremonial burials. During the colonial era, Xolos waned in numbers as the Spaniards neglected their cultural status while continuing the practice of utilizing them as tasty treats. Still, within Mexico’s Indigenous cultures, Xolos continued to maintain an elevated station compared to other dogs, and fortunately, in the 20th century, a small cadre of dedicated breeders (including Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo) helped to bring Xolos back. Now through movies such as Pixar’s Coco, and the unique, lovable characteristics of the breed, Xolos are beginning to be known throughout the world! CARING FOR XOLOS
For the most part, owning a Xolo is just like owning any other dog. As a hairless dog, they have a greater susceptibility to skin conditions. Fortunately, they also heal very quickly and have an almost magic ability to regenerate their skin without scarring. Teeth care is also important for Xolos as they lack some molars, and genetically, can have a dispensation for losing their teeth over time. Fortunately, with a good skin and tooth care regime and healthy diet, your Xolo will look and feel great! Thanks to their wild roots and genetic material, Xolos are generally healthy and resilient dogs. Haired Xolos it should also be noted, do not share the vulnerabilities of their hairless brethren. It is considered best practice not to fix or neuter your Xolo so that you have the option to breed them if you so choose. Xolos are still considered rare, so this is important for the health and continuance of the breed. We hope you will take this on as one of the important responsibilities of Xolo ownership. What’s more, you will be playing a role in preserving the historic and cultural legacy of a dog that is highly esteemed throughout Mexico and Latin America.
