Xoloitzcuintli

History of the Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli is an indigenous dog of Mexico with roots that reach back through the deep history of Mesoamerica. Its name comes from Nahuatl, combining references to Xolotl, a deity in ancient Mexica belief, and itzcuintli, meaning dog.

Long before modern pet-keeping, these dogs lived alongside people as companions and working animals, valued for their steady temperament and distinctive hairless trait, which likely appeared naturally and was nurtured over generations.

Archaeological finds, including dog-shaped ceramics and burials, suggest that hairless dogs like the Xolo held a special place in several regional cultures.

In many traditions, dogs were linked with the journey after death, and the Xolo became a symbolic guide in stories about the underworld.

In some communities, dogs were laid to rest near people, reflecting the idea that a trusted animal could accompany its owner beyond life. In everyday life, Xolos also offered practical benefits.

Families kept them close for warmth on cool nights and for their attentive, quiet nature within the home.

After European contact, life changed dramatically for indigenous communities and for their native dogs.

Imported breeds, shifting attitudes, and new diseases likely reduced Xolo numbers, and the hairless dogs that remained were often pushed into rural areas where they blended into village life.

Accounts from the colonial era mention that dogs were sometimes used as food, which adds another layer to how closely people and Xolos were intertwined.

Over time, the breed became less common in cities and more scattered in small villages, passing quietly from household to household.

Despite this decline, Xolos persisted, protected by geography and by families who continued to keep them for companionship and practical utility.

In the twentieth century, Mexican enthusiasts began seeking out remaining native lines, documenting them, and rebuilding a stable population. This renewal helped preserve both the hairless and coated varieties and encouraged more consistent type.

As interest grew, the Xolo reemerged as a recognizable emblem of Mexican heritage rather than a rarity known only in remote regions, and it began appearing more often in art, media, and urban homes.

Today the Xoloitzcuintli is widely celebrated as a national symbol and a companion with a unique mix of ancient and modern appeal. Owners are often drawn to the breed’s low-shedding nature, clean outline, and devoted personality.

At the same time, living with a Xolo is not about owning a “museum piece.” The breed still needs thoughtful socialization, daily activity, and practical skin care to stay comfortable in contemporary homes, and it thrives when its people treat it like a dog first and a

legend second.