Approved June 21, 2007
 
 
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY

The origins of the Xoloitzcuintle are deeply rooted in the history and culture of Mesoamerican civilization. The Xoloitzcuintle was regarded as the earthly representative of the god Xolotl from which the name originates. In Mesoamerican art, Xolotl is portrayed as a man with a dog's head. He was said to have created a protector and guide for humans in the underworld in the form of the hairless dog, the Xoloitzcuintle. Its task was to accompany the souls of the dead to the eternal resting place. The Xoloitzcuintle is the national dog of Mexico.

 
GENERAL APPEARANCE

HAIRLESS VARIETY

A very attractive dog; its most important characteristic is the complete or almost complete lack of hair, with a smooth and soft skin. It has a well-proportioned body, chest is ample, ribs are well sprung, limbs and tail are long.

COATED VARIETY

A very attractive, completely coated dog with the same harmonious proportions as the hairless variety. The coat can be of any color and texture. Its body is well-proportioned, chest is ample, ribs well sprung, limbs and tail are long.
 

JUDGING THE XOLOITZCUINTLE

The Miniature and Intermediate varieties are to be examined on the table and Standard variety examined on the ground. The Hairless Xolo is sensitive to touch and therefore may flinch or roach on examination. Final judgment of topline and outline should be made with the dog standing naturally on the ground rather than posed. The Xolo is a primitive breed by nature and can be aloof and wary of strangers. When judging, it is better to allow the handler to show the expression. The tail is not to be held above the topline during presentation.
 

SIZE, PROPORTIONS AND SUBSTANCE

Size:
•  Miniature variety: over 10” - 14” or under
•  Intermediate variety: over 14” - 18” or under
•  Standard variety: over 18” - 24” or under

The Miniature variety Xolo is 14 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders, with a minimum height in excess of 10 inches.

The Intermediate variety Xolo is 18 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders, with a minimum height in excess of 14 inches.

The Standard variety Xolo is 24 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders, with a minimum height in excess of 18 inches.

Disqualification: Height outside of maximum or minimum limits set forth in the standard for its size variety.

Proportions: The body has harmonious proportions, slightly longer than the height at the withers. Approximately 10:9. The length of the body is measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of rump and from the highest point of the withers to the ground. Females may be slightly longer than the males. Serious Fault: Long bodies with short limbs or short body with long limbs.

Substance: Sturdy and athletic body.


HEAD

According to the "wolf" type, the Xoloitzcuintle skull is broad, strong and wedge shaped with large erect ears.

Cranial Region

Skull: From above, the head is wedge shaped. It is wide, strong and elegant; tapering towards the muzzle. The occiput should not be prominent. The depth, width and length and of skull should be approximately equal. The length of the skull and the length of muzzle should be approximately equal and almost parallel.

Stop: Slight but well defined.

Muzzle: Seen from the side, straight; upper and lower jaws strongly developed.

Planes: Skull and muzzle planes almost parallel.

Cheeks: Only slightly developed.

Facial Region

Nose: The nose should be dark in dark colored dogs, brown or rose in lighter colored dogs. Fault: Spotted nose.

Muzzle: Seen from the side, straight; upper and lower jaws strongly developed.

Lips: Tight and close fitting.

Tongue: The tongue is generally pink but may have black markings, spots or stripes, which is a common characteristic of the breed.

Cheeks: Only slightly developed.

Teeth:
Hairless variety: Strong jaws. The incisors should close perfectly in a scissor bite with the superior incisors overlapping; the interior surface of the superior incisors touching the external surface of the lower incisors, squaring the jaw. A level bite, edge to edge, is also permitted. The absence of a few incisors, canines, molars, pre-molars or rotated teeth should not be penalized, as many dogs do not have deep roots. Genetically, the absence of hair is closely linked to the absence of teeth.
Coated variety: Full dentition with scissor or level bite is required.

Eyes: Medium sized and almond shaped. Color of eyes differs according to skin color and ranges from black, coffee-brown, red-brown and amber to yellow. Both eyes must be the same color. Color of eye rims ranges from black to brown to gray. Disqualifications: Blue eyes or flecks of blue in the eyes.

Ears:
Hairless variety: The ears are long, large, expressive, very elegant and of fine texture; they are reminiscent of “bat” ears. They should be held erect when alert. In the alert position their axis should be 50 – 80 degrees from horizontal. Due to the fine texture of the ears, it is not uncommon for an ear to have notches.
Coated Variety: The ears are long, large and elegant. They may be held erect or they may be down. While erect is desirable, any position is acceptable. Both ears should be in the same position, when alert.

NECK, TOPLINE AND BODY

Neck: Slightly arched. Proportionally long with head held high. Slim, flexible, well muscled and very elegant.

Topline: Straight and level blending into the slightly rounding croup. Dogs with arched or sunken backs are not desirable.

Body: Sturdy and athletically built.

Chest: In profile; the chest is deep and long, dropping down to the elbows. From the front, the upper chest is of a good breadth; never broad. The tip of the sternum should not protrude.

Ribs: Ribcage long with ribs slightly sprung; never flat.

Underline: Elegantly marked, starting at the lower chest and finishing at the abdomen.

Tuck-up: The abdomen is muscled and moderately tucked up.

Loin: Long with muscles slightly arched over loin.

Croup: Slightly rounding from the loin to the root of the tail. Fault: Flat croup.

Tail: The tail is long, thin and tapers from base to tip. It may have some tufts of hair. In movement it is happily held in an upward and outward curve, never drooping over the back. When at rest, it should hang with a slight curve at the end. The tail should nearly reach the hock. Sometimes it may be held between the legs, which may be a sign of shyness or cold temperatures. Serious Fault: Short tail. Disqualification: A docked tail.


Hindquarters

Angulation: Well developed first and second thigh with moderately angulated stifles and hocks in balance with the moderately laid back shoulders. The angle of pelvis to upper thigh joint, the stifle and hock, is adequately open to permit free strong movement of the hindquarters. Noticeably and functionally wider in the hindquarters than the forequarters.

Legs: Seen from behind, the rear legs are perfectly straight and parallel. Hocks - Clean and well let down.

Feet: Same as front

SKIN AND COAT

Hairless variety: The skin on the neck is firm, elastic, yet close fitting and without dewlap. Puppies show folds on the neck, which disappear with increasing age. Flabby, loose or wrinkled skin is to be faulted in adults. Due to a total absence of hair on the body, the skin of the Xolo is of great importance. It is smooth, sensitive and feels very warm to the touch. Acne is common and skin eruptions should not be penalized, especially in young dogs. Scars are not to be penalized. The main characteristic of the hairless Xolo is the total or nearly total lack of hair, although there may be some short tufts of hair on the forehead, face and back of the neck. This hair may be any color but should not reach more than an inch in length. The hair should never form a long topknot of soft texture. It is common to find hairs on the feet and at the end of the tail, however if they do not exist this should not be penalized. Stray hairs on muzzle may or may not be trimmed for neatness and should not be penalized either way.

Coated variety: The skin of the Coated Xolo should be the soft. The Coated Xolo has a complete single coat of short, flat, firm and closing fitting hair. Coat must be uniform in density and texture over the entire body. Very little hair is to be expected on the belly and inside the rear legs. Disqualification: Allowed hair longer than 1 inch.

COLOR

Hairless variety: Solid, uniform dark colors are preferred. There are variants from black, dark gray, light gray, red, liver, bronze, brown, copper, dark brown and blond. White markings and tri-color are permitted.

Coated variety: Any color or combination of colors. Dark solid colors preferred. Disqualification: Albinism

GAIT

With correctly balanced angles, the Xolo moves with long, elegant and flexible strides; at a fast trot a Xolo should unfold gracefully, head held above the topline. At the trot the Xolo is a doubling tracking dog, only converging slightly at greater speeds.

TEMPERAMENT

An alarm dog, the Xolo can be aloof and suspicious toward strangers. The Xolo is a calm, quiet dog; cheerful, attentive and alert, a good watchdog, and an excellent companion. Serious Fault: Aggressiveness.


FAULTS

The foregoing description is that of the ideal Xoloitzcuintle. Any deviation from the described dog
must be penalized to the extent of the deviation.
 

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS

•  Hair on any part of the Hairless Xolo's body other than the head, ears, back of neck,
   feet and tail
•  Allowed hair exceeding 1 inch in length
•  Height outside of maximum or minimum limits set forth in the standard for its
   size variety
•  Overshot, undershot or wry bite, any other anomaly in position of the jaws
•  Tail docked to any length
•  Cropped, tipped, or dropped ear on Hairless
•  Blue eyes or blue flecks in the eyes
•  Albinism
•  Monorchid or Cryptorchid 
 

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