Mexican Hairless Dog

The Mexican hairless dog is a small dog of uncertain origin that has existed in Mexico for several centuries. The breed may have developed from large hairless dogs known in Mexico and Peru prior to Spanish conquest of from Chinese hairless dogs brought to Mexico on merchant ships.

The Mexican hairless dog is a small breed whose appearance suggest that of a Chihuahua with a long muzzle. The origin of the Mexican hairless dog are uncertain. One theory holds that it is descended from an African breed of hairless dog and reached Mexico by way of the Orient: it was once known in Mexico as the “Chinese dog”. Another theory is that it is descended from an older and larger Mexican hairless breed, the xoloitzcuintly, whose origins also are unknown.

The Mexican hairless dog reaches 30 cm (12 in) high at the shoulder and about 7 kg (15 lb) in weight. It has slender head, erect ears, and a long tail. Its skin may be of any color, solid or mottled, but it is usually black, brown, gray, or pink. A sparse growth of hair may be present on the top of the head and at the tip of the tail.

The xoloitzcuintly, another hairless breed from Mexico, was once associated with a Mexican religious cult devoted to the god Xoloth, from whom its name is derived. The xoloitzcuintly stands 50 cm (20 in) high at the shoulder and reaches about 16 kg (35 lb) in weight. It has many features in common with the Mexican hairless dog, including tuffs of hair on its head and tail and its skin color.

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