Learn to evaluate the Xoloitzcuintli: a primitive breed of balance, moderation, and versatility, with rich cultural history.
Kay Lawson
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, January 2013 issue.
The Xoloitzcuintli is a study in balanced moderation. It’s very important to remember where these dogs come from. They were not molded by the hand of Man to work, fetch, or comfort – although they excel at all those tasks. Created by Nature’s force, they retain the cunning and intelligence of what was most certainly the wild canid of the area.
All three sizes are noteworthy hunters, anticipatory thinkers, and give heart and soul to whatever desire drives them. In today’s world, this makes them devoted guardians, unrivaled performers, and extraordinarily good family pets for those who invest the time and effort to breed true type and raise quality puppies.
The indigenous people who discovered them in the jungles did not change them. Instead, they accepted the dogs as they were and considered them part of the deities they worshipped. Unlike other breeds, where a specific trait was emphasized, the Indians allowed the breed to become “every dog” – hunter, retriever, herder, laborer, guardian, and companion.
From the tip of their nose to the end of their tail, the Xolo should be a moderate, balanced dog as Nature intended. Xolos must move effortlessly, avoiding overmuscling or being overly light. They need stamina and determination. Their essence should reflect their primitive origins, with bodies flowing from one soft curve to another without hard angles.
Front and rear angles should be balanced. The width in the front should match the width in the back. The head should match the size of the dog’s body and be wedge-shaped, with a slightly longer muzzle than the skull and no pronounced stop. Some cushioning on the muzzle creates a true wedge shape when viewed from the front.
Eyes should be almond-shaped and obliquely set, reflecting the breed’s primitive roots. Large, elegant, and expressive ears often move independently, aiding their awareness. In young dogs, ears may not stand fully erect, but by one year, they should. Fully erect ears accentuate forehead wrinkling, adding to the intelligent, inquisitive look typical of the Xoloitzcuintli.
Wide or narrow heads are faults. The bite should be scissors, even in dogs missing teeth. A lack of underjaw detracts from the breed’s primitive functionality. Bulky heads with excessive muscling are incorrect, as these dogs do not resemble Molossian types. The nose and eyes should match the dog’s coat color, with dark preferred. Loose skin around the muzzle or dewlap is undesirable.
The correct Xolo has a strong, slightly arched neck, smoothly muscled, and set into laid-back shoulders that blend into the body without a sharp angle. The back should be level and firm, with a slight arch over the loin. The breed is longer than tall, with the length primarily in the ribcage rather than the loin. The correct proportion is 10 to 9, giving a rectangular appearance that is visually balanced but not exaggerated.
Viewed from the front, the Xolo should have a sturdy frame with enough fill in the chest to avoid a “cathedral” appearance. Bones should be oval for strength. Shoulders should be long, sloping, and covered with smooth muscle.
They should lay flat to the body and be well-laid back. The legs should be long and straight from the side, and set well under the body. Pasterns are flexible and strong, continuing in a straight line to the foot. A modified hare foot with well-arched toes is ideal; splay feet or round feet are faults. Dewclaws may be removed, but in keeping with the breed’s primitive and natural heritage, they may also be retained (front only).
Viewed from the side, the long sloping shoulder should equal the length of the upper arm in an ideal dog. The ribcage should extend to the point of the elbow and be oval for heart and lung room, constituting the greatest proportion of the dog’s overall length. A slight muscular tuck-up is desired but should never resemble that of a sighthound.
The rear quarters should balance with the forequarters, with both angles matching. The croup should be well-muscled and slightly rounded, with the tail as a continuation of the spine, following the rounded part of the croup and set on below the topline. A moderately bent stifle accompanies a moderate length of second thigh, nearly equal in length. The hocks are short, sturdy, strong, and straight. When properly stacked or standing naturally, there should be a straight vertical line from the rearmost point of the buttocks to the toe of the rear foot.
The dog should always stand with its hock perpendicular to the ground. A correctly stacked Xolo will not stand with an extended hock, whether to level the topline or give an impression of greater body length. The tail should be long enough to reach the hock, carried down at rest and in a graceful curve (between 2 and 4 o’clock) when in motion. The tail should never be carried completely over the back, and a short or curled tail is a serious fault.
The outer covering of a hairless Xoloitzcuintli is not skin; it is a true hide, as seen in all hairless wild animals. This hide, a product of the breed’s evolutionary changes, is tough, resilient, and produces an oil that repels insects and acts as a natural sunblock. Puppies and young dogs may have wrinkled body skin, but adults should not. Adolescent acne is common in younger dogs but should not persist into adulthood. Hairless Xolos may have body hair on the head, feet, and tail, which is coarse, short, and matches the dog’s color.
A dark, uniform color is preferred, though white spots and markings are permitted. The red Xolo was historically revered by the Mayans and other indigenous people, considered a guide to the afterlife. Another rare trait is dark-colored dogs with light toenails, which was thought to make them more visible to souls. Xolos have enough melanin to tan in the sun, so they exhibit natural shading in areas not exposed to sunlight, such as under the legs and on the belly.
The coated Xoloitzcuintli’s coat is short, dense, smooth, and close-fitting. In winter, it may thicken slightly but should remain close-fitting. These coats often exhibit an iridescent shine. To evaluate coat length and density, run spread fingers backward through the coat. Long coats or dense undercoats are undesirable.
Some modern Xolo colors may result from cross-breeding over the breed’s 3,000-year history. There is no disqualification for color, though darker shades are preferred. A Xolo that appears to resemble another breed in conformation or color lacks correct type.
The Xoloitzcuintli comes in three sizes: Toy (10 up to and including 14 inches), Miniature (over 14 and up to and including 18 inches), and Standard (over 18 and up to and including 23 inches). Dogs under 10 inches or over 24 inches are disqualified. Bone weight varies by size, with Toys being finer-boned and Standards slightly heavier-boned, but all sizes must present as strong, sturdy, athletic dogs.
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