Little Pawz -- Mexican Hairless -- Mexican Hairless Dog -- Hairless Dog Breed -- Xoloitzcuintli -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

The Mexican Hairless dog is one of the oldest breeds in the world, and in danger of becoming extinct. Rumour has it that these dogs are sometimes seen wandering along the waterfront in Hong Kong, and efforts are now being made to protect the breed in its native Mexico.

Unlike the Chinese Crested, this breed is totally hairless except for a tuft of short, coarse, and not very dense hair on the skull. The Mexican Hairless is a quiet, reserved little dog, growling only under provocation, and is similar in build to a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It is described as gay and intelligent, yet at the same time, dignified and un aggresive. Young pups tend to be snub-nosed and short-legged and do not conform to their adult appearance until late in their development.

The Mexican Kennel Club Standard states that the skin should be soft and smooth to the touch, particularly in those areas less exposed to the sun.

Size
Height: 19 inches (48 cm) at the withers
Weight: 30 – 35 lbs. (13.6 – 15.9 kg)

Coat, Skin and Colour
The principle characteristic of the hairless variety is the absence of hair in general, but the presence of a tuft of short coarse, and not very dense hair on the head and nape is acceptable. It is also common to have similar hair on the feet and tail. Hair on areas other than the head, nape, feet and tail is a serious fault. Skin is smooth, firm, sensitive to the touch and seems to radiate heat. Scars caused by accidents should not be penalized. In the coated variety the hair is short, dense and lies flat on the body, completely covering all areas of the dog. Solid colour dogs and dark shades are preferred. Colours may range from black to grey, red, liver, bronze to golden yellow. Particolours occur, including white patches. Solid colours and darker shades are preferred.

Long soft or wavy hair in either variety is a serious fault.

Exercise
The Mexican Hairless will enjoy a daily walk.

Health Care
The Mexican Hairless sweats through its skin, unlike other breeds, which sweat through the tongue. They need a warm environment, with a heated kennel, and have a body temperature of 105º F (40.5º C) compared to the normal canine temperature of 101.4º F (38.5º C).

Feeding
Its normal diet is fruit and vegetables, but it can adapt to usual canine fare. Recommended would be 1 – 1 1/2 cans (13.3 oz 376 g size) name-brand dog food, with a biscuit, or 3 cups dry dog food. Always provide an ample supply of fresh water for your Mexican Hairless.

Origin and History
The Mexican Hairless did not originate in Mexico, but was brought to that country by nomadic tribes of Indians from north-eastern Asia. It may even have come from Turkey, the land of the Turkish Toy Greyhound, another species of naked canine.

The little naked Mexican Hairless was considered as a gift from the gods by the Aztecs, because when someone was sick, the dog could warm the patient with its naked body.

The earliest inhabitants of Mexico, the Toltecs, had kept the blue Chihuahua in their temples for religious purposes. When the Aztecs conquered the Toltecs, dogs of both breeds were kept in luxury inside the temples. It is possible that the inevitable inter-breeding of the Mexican Hairless with the Chihuahua may have produced the Chinese Crested breed we know today.