Federation Cynologique Internationale
Secretariat General: 13, Place Albert l - B6530 Thiun, Belgium
FCI Standard no. 234 / 22.05.1995 / E
XOLOITZCUINTLE MEXICAN HAIRLESS DOG
Origin: Mexico Date of publication of this Standard: January 24, 1998 Utilization: Standard: Guard Dog Intermediate: Guard Dog Miniature: Companion FCI Classification: Group V: Spitz and Primitive Types. Section 6: Primitive Type
a) Standard Variety.
b) Intermediate Variety.
c) Miniature Variety.
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The
origin of these dogs goes far back into history. The indigenous people
consumed its meat, which was greatly sought after. The breed was
regarded as the earthly representative of the god Xolotl from which
the breed name obviously originates. Its task was to accompany the
souls of the dead to their eternal resting place. The breed is also
known by the name Mexican Hairless Dog.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : It is a very
attractive dog; its most important characteristic and peculiarity is
the complete or almost complete lack of any hair, with a smooth and soft
skin. Its body has harmonious proportions, chest is broad, rib cage
roomy, limbs and tail long.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Its body is
slightly longer than it is high. Approximately 10:9. Females may be
slightly longer than the males. Elongated dogs with short legs should be
penalized.
TEMPERMENT: It is a quiet and tranquil
dog that is happy, alert and intelligent. They mistrust strangers and as
such make a good guardian and companion.
CRANIAL REGION:
•Head: The cranium is lipoid. Seen from above it is wide, strong and
elegant; thinning out towards the snout with an occipital crest that is
not well defined.
•Frontal-Nasal Depression (stop): Slight but well defined with
cranial-facial axis almost parallel.
FACIAL REGION:
•Nose: It should be dark in dark colored dogs, brown or rose colored in
blond and bronze colored dogs and spotted in spotted dogs. Snout: Seen
in profile it is straight with a strong mandible and maxillary.
•Lips: Tight and together.
•Cheeks: Slightly developed.
•Teeth: Incisors close tightly in a scissor bite. Over and undershot
bite as well as any other anomaly in position of the jaws is to be
categorized as a serious fault. Absence of molars and premolars is not
penalized.
•Eyes: They are medium sized and almond shaped with an alert and smart
expression. Color of eyes differs according to skin color and ranges
from black, coffee-brown, red-brown and amber to yellow. Color as dark
as possible preferred and both eyes should be the same color. Color of
eyelids ranges from black to brown to gray. Paler color or pink patches
on the lids are permitted but not very desirable.
•Ears: The ears are long, large, expressive and very elegant with a
delicate texture (batsÍ ears). They should always be erect in an alerted
state. In this position their axis should be 50-80 degrees in relation
to a horizontal line. Cut or droopy ears are not allowed and should be
disqualified.
NECK:
•Upper Profile: Held high.
•Length: Proportionally large.
•Shape: Thin, flexible, with muscles, slightly arched and very elegant.
•Skin: The neck skin is tight, firm, elastic without a double chin.
Puppies have wrinkles that disappear with age.
BODY: Strong build.
•Withers: Not very defined.
•Torso: Straight; the upper line of the back should be perfectly
straight. Dogs with arched or sunken backs as well as long backs with
short legs are not desirable.
•Loin:Strong and muscled.
•Hindquarters: The upper profile of the hindquarters should be slightly
convex with an incline of approximately 40 degrees. It should be solid,
muscled and very slightly rounded.
•Chest: Seen in profile it is deep and long, dropping down to the
elbows. The ribs are slightly arched but never flat. Seen from the front
the upper chest is of a good size. The sternum should not be prominent.
•Abdomen: The lower profile is elegantly marked, starting at the lower
chest and finishing at the ventral retraction, which is muscled and
tucked up.
•Tail: It is long, thin and complete with some tufts of hair. From the
base to the tip it gets thinner. In movement it is happily held up in a
curve never drooping over the back. When resting it should hang with a
hook at the end. Sometimes it is placed between the legs which is a sign
of shyness.
FRONT LEGS: Seen from the front they are
straight and perpendicular, proportionate to the body and of a good
length. The shoulders are flat and muscled with a good scapula-humerus
that allows a long, free and elegant stride. Elbows should be strong and
close to the thorax, never turned outward.
HINDQUARTERS: Seen from behind they are
perfectly straight and parallel to each other. Wide thighs that are
muscled but never touching. The angles of the coxes-femur,
femur-tibia-knee and tibia-tarsal are wide which is indispensable to
allow a free and powerful leg movement. Cowhocks are to be strongly
penalized. Feet: The feet are semi-long (hare's foot) with compact and
tight toes having tufted hair. Nails are short and black in black
colored dogs, lighter colored in bronze or blond dogs. The foot pads are
strong and resistant to any terrain. Inter-digital membranes are well
developed. Dewclaws must be removed on all four limbs.
MOVEMENT: According to the angles they
should move with long, elegant and flexible steps; at a fast trot they
should unfold with the head and tail held high.
SKIN: Due to a total absence of any hair
on the body the skin of this breed is of great importance. It is smooth
and sensitive to touch as well as being warmer than other haired breeds
where heat is let out through natural ventilation. The skin required
more care from exposure to the sun and elements due to its lack of
natural protection. Accidental scars are not penalized. The dog tends to
sweat through the foot pads and inter-digital membrane and as such tends
not to pant.
COAT: The characteristic of this breed
is the lack of hair although there are some short tufts of hair on the
forehead and back of the neck that may be any color but should not reach
the length or softness of the Chinese Crested of Tai-Tai. It is common
to find odd hairs on the feet and at the end of the tail, however if
they do not exist this should not be penalized. Any dogs with long hair
will be disqualified.
COLOR: Solid, uniform and dark colors
are preferable. There are variants from black, dark gray, light gray,
red, liver, bronze and blond. There are also spotted dogs of any color
including white spots.
SIZE: There are three sizes for males
and females. a) Standard: 46-55 cms and up to 60 cms in high quality
specimens. (18î - 21.5î up to 23.5î) b) Intermediate: 36 to 45 cms.
(14.25î - 17.75î) c) Miniature: 25 to 35 cms. (9.75î - 13.75î)
Specimens larger than 60 cms (23.5î) or
smaller than 25 cms. (9.75î) are disqualified.
FAULTS: Any deviation from the
aforementioned criteria must be considered a fault and as such the
gravity of the fault will be measured against the standard.
- Very wide head
- Very long body
- Shy or aggressive character
- Exaggerated poor pigmentation (Albino)
- Hair in non-specified regions
- Flabby, loose or wrinkled skin.
- Double chin
- Clear, round and bulging eyes.
- Short Tail.
- Very long body with short legs.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
- A dog with a coat of hair covering the body.
- Cropped or droopy ears.
- Over or undershot bite.
- Taller than 60 cms. (23.5î) or smaller than 25 cms. (9.75î).
- Docked tail.
-Tufts of hair on the forehead long or soft, as with Chinese Crested
Dog.
N.B. Males should have two testicles of
normal appearance that have completely dropped into the scrotum.
UKC
standard
XOLOITZCUINTLI
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard
Revised January 1, 2002
History
The Xoloitzcuintli is a very ancient Latin American breed, dating back to
before the time of the Aztec Empire and its existence can be substantiated
for as far back as three thousand years. They were held in high esteem by
the native Toltec and Mayan civilizations. The Aztecs, however, extended
their appreciation of the breed to one of a culinary nature. With the defeat
of the Aztecs and their culture by the Spanish, the breed diminished
drastically, essentially becoming rare. It is thought the breed was saved
from extinction by its adoption by remote, mountain-dwelling Indians.
Never entirely forgotten, interest in the breed was eventually revived and
it was formally recognized by the FCM (Mexican Kennel Club) in 1956.
The Xoloitzcuintli was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1,
1993.
General Appearance and Characteristics
The Xoloitzcuintli has a clean and graceful outline, combining the elegance
of a sighthound with the strength and proportions of a terrier. There are
two varieties: hairless and coated. The hairless variety exhibits a total,
or almost total, absence of hair. The coated variety has a short, flat coat
with no thin or bare patches. For U.K.C. conformation events, the hairless
and coated varieties are shown together. The breed is, however, divided by
size varieties--Toy, Miniature and Standard--for exhibition.
In conformation, the breed has a harmonious effect, with graceful movement
and lean, well-proportioned extremities. The height to body length
proportion is in a ratio of 9 to 10 height being equal to length is
acceptable. Medium bone is ideal, however bone type should be in proportion
to the overall size of the dog. The larger the dog, the more bone that is
acceptable, keeping in mind that the breed exhibits an overall view of
elegance and of strength.
They are naturally calm, happy, and alert, with a thoughtful, intelligent
and vivacious expression; all showing the noble and faithful character of
the breed. A good adult example is one that is somewhat quiet and tranquil,
barking or growling only under provocation.
Puppies do not resemble adults as they are blunt-nosed, short-legged and
frequently very noisy, characteristics which they retain until they are
approximately one year of age.
Head and Skull
The skull is somewhat broad and strong, but not coarse. When at attention,
they will show distinctive brow wrinkles.
The planes of the muzzle and the skull are not separate and blend smoothly
one to the other. The stop is not pronounced. In length, the muzzle is
proportionately longer than the skull. Seen in profile, is it similar to a
wedge. The jawline blends smoothly with the base of the muzzle, without
brusque changes. In profile it will be slightly curved in its upper line. A
strong lower jaw is essential. The lips perfectly cover the teeth and have
tight skin.
TEETH -- Strong, white teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. Undershot or
overshot bites are not acceptable.
A full complement is required in the coated variety. A complete set of
incisors is preferred in the hairless variety, but a lack thereof is not to
be penalized. Lack of premolars is acceptable in the hairless variety.
EYES -- The medium size, almond shaped eyes are medium set, neither sunken
nor protruding. Eye color ranges from yellow to a very dark brown (almost
black), with the darker being preferred. Both eyes are to be of the same
color.
The eyelid pigment will be dark on dark dogs, and self colored or light on
self-colored or light dogs.
NOSE -- The nose is dark in dark dogs, brown in bronze dogs, and spotted as
the rest of the body only in spotted dogs.
EARS -- The uncropped, large, elegant ears are expressive. They are set on
more on the side of the head, and are carried erect when the dog is alert.
Ear leather is thin and delicate.
Fault: Ears not standing erect by one year of age.
Neck
The proportionately long neck is slightly arched. The neck is slender at the
point of insertion with the head, widening gradually at the insertion with
the body, at the withers.
Forequarters
The shoulder is attached to the upper arm at a 45-degree angle. The flat,
smooth shoulder blades provide free movement. The prosternum (point of
shoulder) angulation is in a proportion to allow for free movement and
extended reach, but not so much as to allow the elbows to bow out.
FORELEGS -- The elbows are firm and tight, allowing for reach. They are not
so loose as to allow for elbowing out, not so tight as to create toeing out.
When viewed from all sides, the forelegs are straight and parallel. They are
set well under the body to allow for a long and elegant step, in proportion
to the size of the dog. The strong, straight pasterns turn neither in nor
out.
Body
The backline is level, with a slight arch over the loin. The back is level
and firm. The croup is rounded and relatively broad. It is neither sunken at
the withers nor roached over the loin. The chest is well-developed, the
brisket reaching to the point of the elbow. The ribs are well-developed, but
not barrel-shaped.
Faults: Sunken at the withers. Roached over the loin. Sunken (sway, weak)
back. Roached back.
Hindquarters
Hindquarter angulation is of proportionate depth to allow for a strong
driving rear. Serious faults: Straight hock. Over-angulated hock.
HIND LEGS -- The upper thigh is straight and well muscled, giving the
impression of power. Muscular development is not so overdone as to restrict
free-flowing movement. The stifle is not obtuse or over-angulated. When
viewed from behind, the rear pasterns, from the hock joint to the feet, are
straight. The hocks turn neither in nor out.
Serious fault: Cowhocks.
Feet
They have hare feet, webbed with strong, well-arched toes. Pads are smooth
and strong. Nails are black on dark dogs, light nails on dogs with little
foot pigmentation is acceptable. Hair on the feet of the hairless variety is
acceptable. Dewclaws may be removed from both the front and the rear.
Tail
The tail is set on low. It is fine and long, reaching to the hock. It may be
carried gaily, but not over the back. The hairless variety may have a
moderate amount of coarse hair on the lower half of the tail. A fully
covered tail is required in the coated variety.
Coat and Skin
In mature specimens, the skin is clean, without any wrinkles or dewlap. In
young dogs, however, wrinkled skin is still present. Hair may be of any
color. There are two coat varieties, hairless and coated. The
characteristics of each are:
HAIRLESS VARIETY -- The principal characteristic of this variety is the
general absence of hair, but the presence of a wisp of short, not very
dense, hair on the forehead, nape, tail and feet is common. This hair is not
soft nor of great length. A very short crest of hair on the top of the skull
is acceptable. A total lack of hair in these regions is desirable.
Serious fault: Hair on any other areas than the head, nape, tail, and feet.
COATED VARIETY -- The hair is short and lays close to the body. A fully
coated tail is required on the coated variety.
Color
Any color combination is allowed.
Disqualification: Albinism.
Height and Weight
Height ranges, measured at the withers:
TOY -- up to, and including, 13 inches;
MINIATURE -- over 13 inches up to, and including, 18 inches ;
STANDARD -- over 18 inches up to, and including, 23 inches.
Gait
At a fast trot, movement is free and effortless. As speed increases the dog
will tend to single track, but the legs never do incline so far that the
feet travel in a single line.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Extreme viciousness or shyness.
Albinism. Dogs over 23 inches in height. Cropped ears.
XCA
standard
BREED STANDARD
REVISED STANDARD FOR THE XOLOITZCUINTLI
I. General Appearance
A dog of clean and graceful outline, equally combining elegance
and strength. There are two varieties, hairless and coated.
In the hairless variety, the principal characteristic is the
total, or almost total, absence of hair. In the coated variety,
the hair should be short and flat. In conformation, the Xolo is
lean and well-proportioned. The puppies do not resemble the adults
in that puppies are blunt-nosed, and short-legged, with wrinkled
skin; characteristics they may retain until approximately one year
of age. A good adult example is an animal somewhat quiet and
tranquil, barking or growling only under provocation. A calm dog
that is naturally happy and alert; not shy.
II. Size, Proportion, Substance
At the withers, height is as follows: Toy - up to and including 13 inches.
Miniature - over 13 inches, up to and including 18 inches.
Standard - over 18 inches, up to and including 23 inches.
The body is slightly longer than height, measuring from point of shoulder
blade to the end of rump. Medium bone is desirable. However, bone type
should be in proportion to the overall size of the dog. The larger the dog,
the more bone acceptable, remembering that the breed exhibits an overall
view of elegance and of strength.
III. Head
Expression is thoughtful and intelligent. Will show distinctive brow
wrinkles when at attention. The expression is of a vivacious animal,
conveying the noble and faithful character of this breed. Eyes should be
almond-shaped, of medium size and neither sunken nor protruding. The color
varies from yellow to black, the darker being preferred. Both eyes of the
same color. The eyerims will be dark on dark colored dogs, light on light
colored dogs. Ears are large, expressive, and elegant. Set medium high and
carried erect when alert. The ear leather is to have a thin and delicate
texture. Ears not standing erect at one year of age is a fault. Cropping
is prohibited. Skull is wedge-shaped. Stop not pronounced. Muzzle slightly
longer than the skull. Strong lower jaw. Jawline blends smoothly into
muzzle. Nose is dark on dark colored dogs, light on light colored dogs.
Lips are thin and tight. Bite is neither undershot or overshot. In the
hairless variety, the absence of premolars is acceptable. Complete set of
incisors preferred, but lack thereof not to penalized. In the coated
variety, full dentition is required.
IV. Neck, Topline and Body
Neck is long and slightly arched, blending smoothly into shoulders. Skin
is to be without wrinkles or dewlap, though in young dogs, under one year
of age, wrinkled skin may still be present. Topline is level, with a slight
arch over the loin. Body is well developed. Brisket reaches to the point of
the elbow. Ribs well sprung but not barrel shaped. Back is to be level and
firm. Croup is rounded and relatively broad. Tail is set low, long and
fine, and reaching to the hock. Carried in a graceful curve but not over
the back when in motion. Held down in a relaxed position when the dog is at
rest.
V. Forequarters
Shoulders are long, sloping, well laid back, with flat, smooth shoulder
blades, providing free movement. Elbows should be firm and tight, allowing
for reach but neither so loose as to allow for elbowing out, nor so tight as
to create toeing in or out. Legs are to be straight and parallel when
viewed from all sides, set well under the body to allow for a long and
elegant stride. Pasterns are strong and straight, turning neither in nor
out. Feet are harefeet, webbed with well arched toes. Toenails are to be
dark on dark colored dogs, light on light colored dogs. Dewclaws may be
removed.
VI. Hindquarters
Angulation of proportionate depth to allow for a strong driving rear.
Neither straight at the point of the hock; nor so steep as to allow for
weakness in the hock. Legs are to be straight and well muscled. Stifle is
moderately bent. Hock joint is straight when viewed from the rear, turning
neither in nor out. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet are same as front.
VII. Coat and Skin
The principal 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 the lower portion of the tail. Hair on areas other
than the feet, head, nape and tail is a serious fault. Skin is smooth and
firm. In the coated variety the hair is to be short and lay close to the
body, completely covering all areas of the dog. The hair may be of any
color. Moderate wrinkling on the heads of adult dogs is acceptable. Long,
soft or wavy hair in either variety is a serious fault.
VIII. Color
Any solid color of combination of colors is allowed.
IX. Gait
A free and effortless fast trot. Legs will converge towards a center line
as speed increases, but remains as double tracking movement.
X. Temperament
Happy, alert and intelligent. Timidness or aggressiveness is a serious
fault.
FCI
standard