As there are dog breeds native to many countries of the world, so there are to Mexico.
As most of us know, Mexico is popular for its rich cultural heritage, which includes delicious native meals, beverages, and exotic beaches.
However, we’re not here to talk about margaritas, we’re here to talk about dogs, Mexican dog breeds to be specific!
If you’re looking for some interesting foreign dog breeds, then you should check out those that come from Mexico.
Interestingly, Mexican dog breeds are among the oldest dog breeds in the world. The Xōlōitzcuintli being one of them.
It is popularly known as the “hairless dog”, and it is believed to be the most ancient dog breed in Mexico. There is archaeological evidence that proves this breed has existed for over 3,000 years.
Here’s an interesting fact, this breed is the national dog of Mexico and it is held in high esteem as a sacred dog by the Aztecs, the Toltecs, and The Maya people. These tribes held the belief that the “hairless dog” had the power to chase away evil spirits.
Another interesting fact is that the locals used to bury the dogs with family members who had passed away. They believed the dog would escort them safely to the afterlife.
As valued as these dogs were, they were often sacrificed and eaten during special ceremonies. It was generally believed that the meat had the power to heal one of several ailments when eaten.
This dog breed was so popular, that Christopher Columbus made reference to it in one of his journals. He described it as a “strange, hairless dog” after it was taken back to Europe.
It was one of the first dogs to be registered with the AKC in 1887, yet it remains relatively unpopular in America.
This is unlike its other Mexican counterpart, the Chihuahua, which is by far a more popular Mexican dog breed which can be easily found in America.
The Xolo, or “hairless dog” weighs about 50 pounds at full maturity and its ears are shaped like that of a bat.
You may wonder why this dog lacks hair. Well, it’s as a result of mutation. It has a recessive trait that produces two variations of the breed. One with very short hair, and another that’s completely hairless.
This page lists the two interesting Mexican dog breeds!