Xoloitzcuintle

Looking after a Xoloitzcuintli is a little different to caring for other dogs, especially if you have a hairless variety.

Although you don’t need to brush them, there are several things you need to remember. One of the most important is to apply sunscreen to their skin when they’re exposed to direct sunlight, otherwise they risk suffering from sunburn — no less painful for dogs as it is for humans.

You can bathe a Xoloitzcuintli and follow up with a coating of light moisturizer once or twice a month, but many vets warn against over-grooming as it can interfere with the balance of your dog’s natural oils.

There may be occasions when your hairless Xoloitzcuintli suffers from acne, which commonly happens when they’re under a year old. This is perfectly natural — just as with humans — and can sometimes be alleviated by wiping them with a damp cloth to remove dead skin cells and bacteria. In more serious cases, a vet’s assistance might be required.

As well as these special considerations, parents also need to carry out the same routine maintenance as they would for other breeds. This includes trimming nails twice a month, checking ears regularly for signs of infection, and brushing their teeth daily to prevent gum disease and bad breath.

When performing the latter of these tasks, you might notice your Xoloitzcuintli has fewer teeth than you might expect. Oddly enough, there’s a genetic link between hairlessness and missing teeth, but fortunately, these missing molars won’t cause your dog any problems.

When it comes to exercise, around 45 minutes of activity a day will suffice or eight miles of walking a week — a bit of playtime can’t hurt, either.

Xoloitzcuintli Health Risks

Thankfully, Xoloitzcuintli are a healthy breed and largely free of hereditary conditions that plague many other types of dog.

That being said, this doesn’t mean Xoloitzcuintli are completely immune from all health conditions and it’s important to deal with breeders who carry out screening on their dogs for eye, heart and joint issues. That gives you the best chance of avoiding any painful conditions popping up later in life.

Feeding an Xoloitzcuintli - what’s the best diet?

Xoloitzcuintli aren’t known to be fussy eaters, but they’ll thrive best on a diet of top-quality food filled with meat, carbs and vegetables — this is especially important for keeping their skin in a healthy condition. Ever had a breakout after binging on fast food? Exactly.

Fortunately, our partner Dog Food Advisor has a wealth of excellent dog food recommendations for brands that will keep your pet healthy and fuelled up for all the shared adventures you have in store.

The amount you feed your Xolo will depend on two things: their size and the amount of exercise they do. As such, this will need to change throughout their lives to ensure they have enough energy without being at risk of obesity.