Home › Breeds › Xoloitzcuintli

Non-Sporting · Varies by variety (10–55 lbs across sizes) · 13-18 years

Xoloitzcuintli

Loyal, alert, calm; ancient Aztec hairless dog - tranquil velcro companion.

30–55 lb

At a glance

Kid-friendly
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First-time owners
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Energy
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Shedding
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Good with cats
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Alone time
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Apartment OK
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Trainability
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Why it matters

Sizes — this matters more than it sounds

Xoloitzcuintlis come in more than one recognized size. AKC recognizes Toy, Miniature and Standard. When the breed was recognized in 2011 the parent club deliberately chose to keep all three sizes as one breed rather than split them.
Toy
10–14 in		10–15 lb
Smallest of the three
Miniature
14–18 in		15–30 lb
Middle size
Standard
18–23 in		30–55 lb
Largest size
How to know which you have: For a registered dog the paperwork states the variety. Otherwise measure height at the withers — these varieties are defined by height, and weight follows from it.
Why it matters: Every feeding amount, gear size and crate recommendation in Rosette is calculated from the weight you enter, so the varieties get genuinely different guidance.
The honest caveat: Breeders do not agree on these labels. Some call anything under a Standard a 'Mini'. Others split it into Petite, Micro and Toy. Ask for the PARENTS' adult weights and heights — that is a fact, where the label is a marketing choice. And no breeder can guarantee an adult size; an honest one gives you a range and says so.
What this is

What they’re great at

✓ Willing, capable learner
✓ Forgiving of first-timer mistakes
✓ Adapts beautifully to smaller spaces
✓ A portable best friend built for togetherness
Why it matters

Honest challenges

Alone time is genuinely hard
Bred to work or live beside a human all day - solitude was never in the job description.

What helps: Train it like a skill: the Alone-Time guide builds tolerance in micro-doses from day one. The frozen-KONG-only-when-you-leave ritual turns departures into jackpots. Cover long days honestly: a midday walker, daycare 2-3x a week, and a camera to know (not guess) how they're doing.
Vocal by design
Alert heritage - announcing things IS the historic job.

What helps: Thank-and-redirect: acknowledge the alert, cue quiet, pay the quiet. Manage triggers: window film and white noise beat willpower. Exercise first - a tired alarm system fires less. Never bark collars.
What you can do

Exercise & training

Exercise: Moderate - 45-60 min/day
Training profile — Toy / companion type: A real dog in a small package: train it like one. Use a harness, never a collar, to protect the trachea. Watch interactions with large dogs and supervise with small children.
Sports and outlets that suit them: Trick titles · Rally
What you can do

Grooming & coat

Grooming: Low but specific - skin care (moisturizer, sunscreen) for hairless; acne-prone in adolescence.
Shedding: None (hairless variety) / light (coated).
Good to know

Health to know about

Skin issues (sunburn, acne), missing teeth (linked to hairless gene); exceptionally healthy and long-lived
Breed-typical tendencies, not a diagnosis. Individual dogs vary enormously — your veterinarian screens for what matters for your dog.
How much should YOUR Xoloitzcuintli eat?

This page can only give breed ranges. The app calculates calories and portions from your dog’s actual weight and life stage, splits them across the right number of meals, and adjusts as they grow.

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Why it matters

Emergency red flags

Poisoning (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, medications, rodenticide)
Vomiting, drooling, tremors, collapse, or known ingestion
→ Call ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 immediately; do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed
Know your ER
→ Save your nearest 24-hour emergency vet's address and phone in your phone TODAY, not during a crisis
This page never carries product links in the emergency section. ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.
These need to work when the signal does not

The app keeps every Xoloitzcuintli red flag on your phone and opens them with no connection at all — which is the whole point at 2am in a car park. Add it to your home screen and it works like any other app.

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📊 The numbers›

Typical ranges for planning, not promises — costs vary by region, breeder and individual dog.

GroupNon-Sporting
SizeVaries by variety (10–55 lbs across sizes)
Lifespan13-18 years
Healthy adult weight30–55 lb
Original purposeCompanion, watchdog, ceremonial/healing roles in Aztec culture.
Monthly care$60-$120
Typical puppy price$1,500-$3,500
🐕 Similar breeds›
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Got a Xoloitzcuintli?

Add them in the app for feeding by weight, training for their stage, and Xoloitzcuintli emergency red flags saved to your phone. Free, no account needed.

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Bring your Xoloitzcuintli in

Add them once and everything here becomes about your dog: feeding by their weight, training picked for their stage, a day built around your hours, and a vitals log that shows the trend. Free, works offline, no account needed.

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Get this for your own dogFeeding by their weight, a daily plan, emergency cards that work offline. Free, no account needed.
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