Meet the Xoloitzcuintli in honor of Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! We’re celebrating Mexican heritage by showcasing another awesome Mexican dog breed besides the super popular Chihuahua—the Xoloitzcuintli!

Say my name!
Let’s say it together: Show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee. But they’re lovingly nicknamed Xolos, for short. The name Xoloitzcuintli comes from the name of the Aztec god of lightning and death combined with the Aztec word for dog.

Furless and fabulous
Xolos are known (and loved!) for their hairlessness, and their skin is so thick it’s actually considered a hide. Interestingly, though, coated varieties of Xolos exist as well.

Impressive history
Xolos are an ancient breed. Archeologists have found evidence they existed up to 3,500 years ago. The Aztecs believed that Xolos were created by the god Xolotl to guide the souls of the dead through the underworld.

Your personal heat pack?
Aztecs were noted to tuck their companion Xolos into their blankets to stay warm at night. Without fur in the way, their toasty little bodies are great at conducting heat to whomever they’re snuggled up to.

Still a big deal today
Xolos are Mexico’s national dog, and are also referred to as “Mexican hairless dogs.” They are so beloved that the Xolo is also the mascot for the Tijuana soccer team.

As seen on TV
If you’ve watched the Disney/Pixar movie Coco, then you’ve already seen and loved a Xolo! Dante, Coco’s exuberant and loyal dog companion throughout the movie, is none other than a Xolo. Now that you know a little more about Xolos, you can see why Dante accompanied Coco on his adventure to the Land of the Dead.

Visit our breed library for fun and interesting facts about more wonderful dog and cat breeds. >>