Mexican pelado
Millennial and private is the Mexican Pelado dog, also known as Xoloitzcuintle, Mexican Dog Azteca or Xolo. It is native to Mexico, where it is highly appreciated and considered a living archaeological jewel, since this breed of dog has been companion of the Aztecs for more than 7000 years. Its appearance is unique because it has no hair and, therefore, it is also known as a Mexican dog without hair. Learn all this and more in this Animal Expert article about the characteristics of the dog, its history, its personality and its care.
- The Mexican dog Xoloitzcuintle was present in the life of the ancient Aztecs.
- Which is corroborated by several archaeological finds.
- Such as terracotta figurines or pictorial representations made by this incredible culture.
- Which adorned buildings of different typology.
- As well as many sacred places.
This dog breed was revered by the Aztecs, who considered it a living representation of their god Xototl, the Aztec god of death, who had the appearance of a man with a dog head. Despite being the god of death, Xototl was not evil and was in charge of maintaining the underworld. The Aztecs believed that the Xoloitzcuintles had been created by this god from a fragment of the bone of life, to guide the dead on their journey into the future, which is why when someone died, the dog was sacrificed and buried together. with the deceased. But the benefits of these animals were much greater, as it was believed that contact with them would alleviate pain, and that eating their meat had several advantages, both ritually and nutritionally.
After the colonization of America, the Xoloitzcuintle breed suffered a strong decline, close to extinction, but in the 1950s, thanks to several breeders who sought to preserve this breed, the IFC decided to take action and look for specimens that remained pure, because so, cross them and make sure that they do not disappear.
Mexican peels are classified into three subtypes, depending on their size and size:
Looking at the physical characteristics of the Xoloitzcuintle in all its versions, we see that its body is compact and muscular, its head is thin, with a straight snout and no hair, or with little hair, and the eyes are almond and usually brown. The nose may have different colors, depending on the color of the fur, ranging from black to brown, gold, pink or spotted. Its ears are erect and triangular.
As for fur, you can notice that they usually don’t have hairs, but there are specimens that may have hair. In such cases, it will be a short, dense and more abundant hair on the head and tail. In addition, it is worth noting that there is a variety of Xoloitzcuintles with hairs throughout the body, short, smooth and without sublayer. As for the colors, the range of shades that may appear, such as brown, black, gray, bronze, blond, reddish or spotted, is broad, but in general, they are usually solid and quite dark colors, both in variety without hair. and inside with his hair.
Focusing now on the personality and temperament of the Xoloitzcuintle, we highlight that it is an ideal breed for families, because it is an obedient dog, intelligent, faithful and very friendly. It is also an excellent watchdog, thanks to its ability to stay alert and attentive, as well as its bravery.
If you want an Xoloitzcuintle to be part of your family, you should know that it is an ideal playmate for the children of the house, because it is playful and very patient, without becoming aggressive. In addition, these playful moments will allow you to release your energy and thus remain calm and balanced.
In general, Xoloitzcuintle dogs are affectionate animals, who like to receive attention and want to dedicate a lot of time and affection to you. Therefore, if you spend many hours away from home, this breed may not be the most suitable for you. In these cases, Xoclo can become naughty and damage the furniture, as well as being very sad about this loneliness, and developing a separation anxiety.
The Xoclos are incredibly intelligent and attentive, so their training is very simple and enjoyable, and in a short time you will see the fruits of their work.
Due to the absence of hair, Xoloitzcuintles are more likely to suffer lesions, burns, allergies and skin abrasions, so we should pay close attention to factors such as sunlight or allergens that may come into contact with your skin. Still, your skin has an incredible ability to regenerate from injuries or burns. Therefore, if your pet needs to be exposed to the sun, it will be necessary to apply protective creams to avoid burns.
On the other hand, because the skin is exposed, it is also necessary to bathe it frequently, since the dog Xoloitzcuintle tends to accumulate dirt in the pores of the skin, which causes pimples and can lead to more or less serious infections. Specific products for sensitive skin and a suitable sponge that does not irritate the skin should be used for the bath in order to provide the best care to Xoloitzcuintle. After bathing, it is advisable to apply moisturizers. You can ask the veterinarian for the most recommended options, such as oils or creams for use in animals. Finally, for the care of Xoloitzcuintle hair, it will take two or three brushes per week to remove dead hair.
The lack of hair makes dogs ideal for people allergic to dog hair, considered a hypoallergenic breed. In addition to these race-specific considerations, specific preventive measures should be taken for any breed of canine, such as internal and external deworming, vaccination, balanced diet, exercise, oral hygiene and eye and hearing tests to ensure the management of the dog Xoloitzcuintle.
As mentioned above, the education of Xoloitzcuintle dogs will not be complicated, so by systematically following some basic guidelines, we will achieve excellent results in a reasonably short time. It is recommended to start training as soon as possible, as it will be easier to record the basic rules on our animal while still a puppy. Despite this, even in adulthood, Xoloitzcuintle can be educated without major problems, since it is a breed with a great capacity for adaptation and learning at any stage of its development.
Good socialization is necessary for the animal to be balanced and able to communicate properly with other animals, as well as with children or humans in general, otherwise it can become moody and suspicious of strangers.
The training should be done with specific measures, such as avoiding collars that can damage your delicate skin. For example, nylon collars or natural fibers that do not irritate or cause friction are generally recommended. Similarly, positive training techniques such as awards and never punishments or physical violence should always be used.
Despite being a healthy breed in general, Mexican peels can, like other breeds of similar characteristics, present certain conditions with higher incidence, such as hip dysplasia. Therefore, regular visits to the veterinarian are necessary to diagnose it as soon as possible, thus avoiding worsening and more serious complications. In addition, they may have other joint problems, such as dislocation of the patella.
One element to consider in this section about the health of Xoloitzcuintle is its propensity to suffer oral problems, such as the loss or absence of teeth, or deformities of the teeth and jaw. That’s why we should pay attention to the care of your teeth, clean your teeth with appropriate products and visit the veterinarian regularly.
On the other hand, they also seem more likely to develop liver problems, but most importantly, the problems presented by the race most often are those related to the absence of fur, that is, dermatological disorders such as dermatitis, allergies or increased sensitivity. because it doesn’t have a layer of hair that protects the skin.
In light of all this and conducting the relevant veterinary consultations and examinations, following the schedule of vaccination and deworming, in addition to keeping the eyes, mouth and ears clean, we will face a healthy and strong animal to enjoy wonderful moments.