Xoloitzcuintle

Temperament

The FCI standard describes the Xolo as quiet and calm, yet cheerful, alert and intelligent, sometimes suspicious of strangers, a good watchdog and an excellent companion, but never aggressive. The AKC gives it top marks for affection with family and stresses that adults are remarkably calm at home, though young dogs need plenty of exercise and structured play. In practice, a Xolo bonds strongly with one or a few people, likes lying close to its owner and keeps watch over the house. It usually keeps its distance from strangers, which the standard considers the mark of a good watchdog. It gets along well with the family's children if they're calm. It's fairly easy to train with positive methods. Good socialization in puppyhood helps temper its natural wariness of strangers.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Xoloitzcuintle for?

The Xolo suits a calm person or family who want an unusual, quiet, devoted dog that does well in an apartment. It's often recommended for people with allergies, though no dog is fully hypoallergenic. We don't recommend it for people who don't want to care for a dog's skin, who expect a dog to be friendly with every stranger, or who plan to keep it outdoors in a cold climate.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

A Xolo needs daily exercise, but not an excessive amount. The AKC writes that the breed enjoys long walks and vigorous play and is calm indoors, while young dogs need a good dose of exercise and structured activity. For an adult, 45–90 minutes a day is usually enough, depending on size. Caring for the hairless variety mainly means looking after the skin: an occasional bath, gentle products and, for longer stretches in the sun, sunscreen, as the AKC recommends. Young dogs may get adolescent acne. In winter, a Xolo gets cold and needs a sweater and a warm bed. The coated variety has a short, easy-care coat that just needs an occasional brushing. Trim the nails regularly and brush the teeth, keeping in mind that hairless dogs are often missing some.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Xolo is considered a healthy, long-lived breed. The AKC gives a lifespan of 13–18 years, and responsible breeders screen for hip dysplasia, luxating patella and eye diseases. The hairless variety has special needs. The FCI standard explains that the gene responsible for hairlessness is dominant and genetically linked to missing teeth, so incomplete dentition in a hairless dog is not considered a fault. The exposed skin needs protection from sun and cold and can be prone to acne in young dogs. The breed wasn't analyzed separately in the 2024 British longevity study.

• skin problems in the hairless varietyYoung dogs may get acne, and the skin needs protection from sun and cold.
• missing teethThe FCI standard explains that hairlessness is genetically linked to missing teeth and does not penalize such dogs.
• hip dysplasiaThe AKC lists it among the conditions breeding dogs are screened for.
• luxating patellaThe AKC lists it alongside dysplasia among the conditions breeding dogs are screened for.
• eye diseasesBreeding dogs should have an eye exam.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The AKC says dogs of this type have lived in Mexico for more than 5,000 years, which makes the Xolo arguably the first dog of the Americas. The name combines the name of the Aztec god Xolotl with the word for dog. The Aztecs considered these dogs sacred, and according to the AKC they were often sacrificed and buried with their owners to guide them in the afterlife. Christopher Columbus mentioned “strange hairless dogs” in his writings. Today the Xolo is a national treasure in Mexico. The FCI gave the breed final recognition in 1961, and the AKC recognized it in 2011 as its 170th breed.

Fun facts

• The AKC gives the pronunciation as “show-low-eets-QUEENT-lee,” and most people simply say Xolo.
• The FCI standard prefers breeding hairless dogs together but also allows good coated dogs to maintain genetic diversity.
• According to the FCI, blue or odd-colored eyes disqualify a Xolo in the show ring.
• Other names for the breed include Mexican Hairless and Tepezcuintli.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Medium dog breeds
• Dogs for allergy sufferers
• Best dogs for apartments
• Dogs that don’t shed (much)

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 234 – Xoloitzcuintlefci.be
2. 2FCI – nomenklatura, Xoloitzcuintlefci.be
3. 3AKC – Xoloitzcuintliakc.org

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.