Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli breed is pretty low maintenance when it comes to grooming. For one thing, most dogs from the breed are hairless, so there’s practically no brushing needed (or shedding for that matter). Even the coated variety is easy to care for, requiring only a weekly brushing with a stiff bristle brush or grooming glove.

Xolos tend to clean themselves like cats, but they produce protective oils for their skin that can potentially build up while they’re young and cause acne. You’ll need to give them a bath every couple of weeks (not just while they’re young), wiping them down with a damp cloth in between. If their skin looks ashy and dry, you can apply a non-oily lotion.

They’re not super sensitive to the sun because their skin is considered a hide—it’s so thick and tough—so they don’t need sunscreen unless your pup is lighter-colored or you’re planning on being outside all day. In fact, Xolos quite like sunbathing and their skin can tan, just like yours!

But as easy as their coat—or lack thereof—is to care for, they still have regular grooming needs when it comes it comes to their nails. You’ll need to trim them about once a month. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you hear the clickety-clack on your kitchen tile. (Get the how-to here.) And don’t forget to brush their teeth daily to prevent bacteria and tartar buildup, and visit your vet for a professional teeth cleaning once a year, too.

Check their ears for excess wax and their eyes for any discharge. Contact your vet if you see a lot of wax, redness or swelling in the ears or if the eye discharge is green or yellow. Your pup may have an infection that needs treating.

Xolos need a confident and calm pet parent who is committed to consistent training to bring the best out in this breed. They’re intelligent, which means they’ll respond well to training, but it also means they’ll get into mischief and trouble if not properly trained. They’ll learn best through positive reinforcement where you reward good behavior with treats, praise or playtime. Harsh training or harsh punishment will break their spirit and destroy the bond with the family—and it may even cause side effects such as fear and aggression. So, providing rewards, practicing patience, using the same commands and never giving “passes” are all key to getting the best out of your Xolo. (Say goodbye to weekends off!)

The Xoloitzcuintli bonds deeply to their people and, like most other dogs, are susceptible to separation anxiety if frequently left alone for long hours. If doggy daycare or a pet sitter isn’t an option, you can help your pup learn to be OK with alone time through crate training. This essentially teaches them to be comfortable in a dog crate or kennel when you aren’t home (it’s also useful for potty training or when traveling with your dog). You want to slowly get them used to the crate so that it gives them a sense of security. Follow these step-by-step instructions from our certified dog trainer, but if your dog shows signs of separation anxiety (such as destroying your belongings, incessant barking, drooling or pacing), then it’s best to seek out the assistance of a dog behaviorist.

Socialization needs to be actively a part of their training (the earlier, the better) as Xolos are prone to bark at strangers and visitors. The more they are safely and positively exposed to changes in their environment, different people and animals, the more it will help them be comfortable in new situations and thus curb excessive barking. (Just remember you’ll never completely train the bark out of them.) You can also enroll you and your pup in puppy school. This is a great place to start socializing your pup. They learn to play nicely with other puppies, and they get to meet new adults.

The Xoloitzcuintli typically does well on high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Make sure there’s a statement on the packaging that says it meets the nutritional standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials.

Your veterinarian can help you nail down a feeding chart to guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their specific diet, but feeding your Xolo twice a day is a good place to start. Avoid leaving the bowl of food out for your dog to graze all day, because snacking all day can lead to weight gain. Even an extra pound can cause health problems, like heart disease, for your pup, so it’s important to measure food to avoid overfeeding your Xolo.

Don’t forget to include the treats you give in your mealtime plan, too—those calories count! Consider switching up some snack rewards with special playtimes or massages. And if your pup has gained a little extra weight, chat with your vet. They’re in the best position to help you pick the right ratio of mealtimes, snacks and exercise to help your pup shed the extra weight and maintain their optimal nutrition.

Despite being an athletic dog, the Xoloitzcuintli only needs moderate amount of daily exercise, about 20 to 30 minutes. Take them out for walks to make sure they stay healthy. They’re not known for being speedy, so walks are truly their ideal pace. Younger dogs are more active, so walk them regularly, give them access to a large outdoor area and treat them to games of fetch to help keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Don’t forget to leave a few dog puzzles around the house to help engage their brains.

Remember, this pup is a primitive breed with predatory instincts—never let them off-leash outside of a fenced yard. This will prevent them from running off to chase any critters they happen to spot. If left alone outside, your dog might start exploring their considerable climbing and digging talents, so make sure you keep them in a well-fenced area where they can’t escape if you absolutely must leave them alone outside. But remember, they’d much prefer to accompany you to wherever you’re going—and considering the alternatives, you’d probably prefer it, too!

The most important thing for a Xolo is to have a pet parent who truly understands the meaning of the word companion—these dogs don’t enjoy lots of time alone. They need someone who will be with them for most of the day or take them with them wherever they go.

Another thing they don’t like? Cold weather. They are best suited for warmer climates; otherwise, their pet parent will need to keep them indoors and have a jacket for them to go outside. (But hey! We think shopping for dog sweaters sounds like fun!) Be sure to provide them with soft bedding to keep them snug and protect them from hard surfaces.

Xolos love their family, which can include children, dogs and other animals (as long as they’re socialized early). They’re wary of strangers, but socialization helps them be friendlier with family friends and people they meet while out and about.

Xolos do well in pretty much any size apartment or house. They don’t need a lot of space inside the home, but they do need to be walked to get some exercise.