Xoloitzcuintle

The Xoloitzcuintle (show-luht- skweent-lay) is an ancient breed hailing from Mexico that has been highly regarded in Aztec history as a guide to the afterlife. Broken down, their name is a combination of 'Xolotl', the God of dogs, and 'Itzcuintli', the Aztek word for dog. Estimated to be an astounding 3,500 years old, these intelligent dogs can be found in three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy, with all three varieties sporting the breed's trademark bat-like ears. Affectionately known as Xolos, they may also be hairless or coated, with the hairless variety being more highly sought-after. Despite popular belief, the hairless variety is not hypoallergenic since they still produce enough dander to affect those with allergies. The coated varieties have short, smooth fur that sheds minimally and can be found in a wide range of solid colours including black, bronze, fawn, red, and grey, and may have brindle or spotted markings.