Mexican Hairless Dog - Don't Waste

The Mexican Hairless Dog is (almost) completely hairless, a characteristic associated with some of the breed's unique characteristics, such as the absence of some teeth, a higher perceived body temperature, and sweaty feet. Let's discover everything there is to know about this unique dog, from its origins to its personality.

Index of topics

Origins

This is an ancient breed that accompanied hunters in Central and South America for about 3000 years. The Aztecs worshiped it as Xoloitzcuintle, or Dog God, and attributed healing powers to it.

How hairlessness arises

This breed is hairless due to a spontaneous genetic mutation, subsequently maintained by humans, and not by manipulation. This is a natural adaptation to the terrain and climate: in fact, hairless dog breeds are found in warm countries such as Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Tibet, Turkey, India, and Indochina. They are completely absent from countries like Sweden or Greenland.

Appearance

The Mexican Hairless Dog has a wolf-like appearance and comes in small, medium, and standard sizes; three different varieties are recognized. It is usually hairless, but can sometimes have a little. Let's explore its main physical characteristics:

elongated and arched neck, slender and muscular
broad and muscular rump
pointed snout
head with few but hard hairs
size 25-35 cm for the small type, 36/45 for the medium and 46/60 for the standard type
gray, dark brown, or gold coat
soft and smooth skin

Character

This is a sweet, courageous, but also rather quiet dog. He's fun and patient with children, but a bit wary of strangers, and very loyal to his owners. He thrives in an apartment.

How to treat it

Although the dog generally enjoys good health, its skin, being bare, requires special care: try to keep it clean and moisturized. While in the summer it's best to protect it with a sunscreen, in the winter it's best to wear special clothing.

Illnesses

They're prone to skin irritation or acne, so they should be bathed frequently, but only with gentle products. They can suffer from hip dysplasia and patellar dislocation.

Adoption

This dog is quite expensive, ranging from €1500 and up, provided it's purchased from a licensed breeder. Adoption is more difficult because it's not a very common breed in our country.

Mexican Hairless Dog: Appearance, Personality, and Care