Races uniques: Le Xoloitzcuintle

Otherwise known as the Mexican Hairless or Xolo, the Xoloitzcuintle has existed in South America for over 3000 years but is now one of the rarest breeds in the world. The breed’s unusual hairlessness is thought to have originated due to a mutation of dogs in the region. These dogs may have had a survival advantage in the hot, tropical environment causing the mutation to spread. 

Crédit d'image

Xolos ont été considérés comme sacrés par les Aztèques et d'autres cultures indigènes et de nombreux artefacts survivre dépeignant la race. Dans la mythologie aztèque, le Xolo a été créé par le dieu Xolotl. Il a ordonné à l'homme de garder le chien avec sa vie. En retour, les chiens garderaient les âmes de leur maître à travers les dangers de la pègre jusqu'au ciel. 

Skin colours in the Xolo range from black, to blue, to red. Occasionally, Xolos with a coat are born amongst a litter of hairless siblings. 

Image courtesy of Jacqi Dinis

For many years, the Xolo remained largely ignored by dog breed authorities, only sporadically making appearances in Mexican dog shows of the 1940s. By the 1950s interest had increased at it was realised, unless drastic action was taken, the breed would go instinct.

In 1954 the FCI (the World Canine Association) began the ‘Xolo Expedition’. Mexican and British dog enthusiasts set off to the remote regions of Mexico to discover and preserve purebred members of the breed. Ten were found and formed the foundation of Mexico’s program targeted at a Xolo revival. 

Image courtesy of Diana Andersen - AnimalImages

Interestingly, Xolos were one of the very first dogs recognised by the American Kennel Club. In 1887, ‘Mee Too’ was registered and in 1940, ‘Chinito Junior’ owned by a Mrs Radtke of New York became the breeds first, and only, American Kennel Club champion. As of 2012, the Xolo has been included in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. 

Image courtesy of Jacqi Dinis

Xolos ont tendance à être des chiens en bonne santé et sont bien connus pour leur intelligence. Comme une race ancienne largement inchangée à partir de ses racines précoces, il a beaucoup de caractéristiques «primitifs» qui ont été perdues dans de nombreuses variétés de chiens plus populaires. Ils sont curieux, de haute énergie et ont des instincts de chasse et de garde. 

Le Xolo est le chien national du Mexique et le symbole du club de football mexicain populaire Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente.

Image de l'image courtoisie de Jacqi Dinis