From the Editor This is the first issue of , the magazine for Xolos and the people who love them, made by Xolo lovers for Xolo lovers. Feel free to write and let us know what you think about the magazine, submit your articles, pictures or show results. This magazine is for all of you! This issue wouldn’t have been possible without the help of: Alex Cearns (Australia), Angel Garcia (Mexico), Ase Persson (Sweden), Caro Orozco (Mexico), Donna Cawley (UK), Elena Miroshnichenko (Russia), Hugo Avalos (Mexico), Hugo Paul Hernandez (Mexico), Jacqi Dinis (Australia), Janne Persson (Sweden), Kristina Gervinskaite (Lithuania), Magnus Svensson (Sweden), Patty Hoover (USA), Renata Magaldi (Mexico), Raymundo Flores (Mexico), Sergio Aguilera (Mexico), Sian Gordon (UK), Stephanie Mazzarella (USA) and Wendy Van Goolen (Netherlands), Thank you so much for all your help and support! ~Giovanna Suedan ~ gio.suedan@live.com
We always need pictures to illustrate the magazine… If you would like to share pictures of your Xolos please contact the editor for more information. You can earn free advertising by submiting an article about any topic related to the breed (health, history, etc.). Please do not submit “odes” or critics to kennels or dogs; for respect to all the xolo lovers and breeders that read the magazine we will not publish any article that we consider inappropiate. All the articles are responsability of the author and reflect their own opinion. The magazine’s editors don’t necessarily share that opinion. All articles and pictures where published with the author’s or owner’s permission. You can find more information about this magazine at our Facebook group “XOLOitzcuintle”.
LLP “0” Bolontiku (Suedan) Mex. Owned and bred by Giovanna Suedan
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On the cover Ch. Besito’s Taha Daha (Imp USA) This lovely Standard female who comes from Premio Real and Santiago’s bloodlines is proudly one of the first Xoloitzcuintles in Australia, health tested and DNA profiled.
“Tardy” was bred by Patty Hoover (USA) and is owned by Jacqi Dinis (AUS). The amazing picture on the cover was taken by Alex Cearns of Houndstooth Studio.
©Diana Anderson Animal Info Publications
www.animalinfopublications.com 3
Table of contents From the editor About the magazine On the cover Table of contents Houndstooth Studio In the glory days of the forth world… IMA Xoloitzcuintle The dog who comes from the legend Wazzat Xolos Speaking of Xolos Kennel Warner Bros The care of the Xoloitzcuintle’s skin Casa Tozani Xoloitzcuintle Chango; A Special Xolo Xoloitzcuintles Magaldi Top Xolos of 2010 in Mexico Mexico en la piel; Mexican art & Jewelry Xoloitzcuintle Database Kennel Naglis People of Xolos; Lascelles de Premio Real Kennel Nudisten’s The Xoloitzcuintle, Cultural Hero In Memoriam
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 20 21 26 27 28 29 40 41 42 43 46 47 53
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In the glory days of the Fourth World, before Earth as we know it today, the Gods came down from the Heavens to walk amongst the people. When they got ready to leave again, a small girl cried relentlessly holding the hands of the Twins, Xolotl and Quetzalcoatl, wanting them to take her with them as they left. Taking pity of the girl, Xolotl took a clay flute and blew the life force into it, as it came alive it looked like him, like if it was Xolotl’s baby brother. He gave the little dog to the girl and told her: "When it is your time to leave Earth, my little brother will safely guide you home to me." This, was the first Xoloitzcuintle, and his descendants to this day will guide us back to the Mictlan when our time come. 6
IMA
ŠJ. Ortega
We are proud to introduce our newest star imported from Mexico
Rey Proudly owned by Donna Cawley United Kingdom
www.xoloitzcuintle.co.uk
Rey Coliman (Avalos)
The dog who comes from the legend By Kristina GervinskaitĂŠ
This hairless or coated dog with special character and amazing appearances comes from very old times where legends were still alive. Three thousands years ago they had a huge role in Aztecs culture, who believed these dogs were sacred and they were able of taking the souls to heaven; for this reason they buried them with their owners. Also Xolo history includes their role in nutrition as they were kept for meat and, of course, their healing properties.
Xochiquelzaltzin Naglis Owned and bred by Kennel Naglis
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Nowadays Xolos are spread all around the world and many people can’t imagine their life without these fabulous dogs. Intelligent, friendly, bright and beautiful this dogs are the best in what people can imagine. Standard puppy bred by Kennel Naglis
This breed is recognized by FCI, which divides them in tree sizes: Miniature, Intermediate and Standard. Mini size is 25-35 cm high and named as companion dog, despite that, this small dog will do it’s best to protect his owner If needed; in the other hand both intermediate (36-45 cm high) and standard (46-60/62 cm high) are watchdogs who will be the best guard dogs.
Miniature puppies bred by Kennel Naglis
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Xolos have also kept a feature from their mythological side, as they are still being used for healing purposes, specially in some villages in Mexico.
Of course, today only few believe in miracles, but these dogs’ warm skin can help reduce the pain. Miniature puppies bred by Kennel Naglis
Xoloitzcuintle a breed that if you once you met it, you will never forget it. And finally one interesting fact from our days. Xolos are usually named as Chupacabra by people who don’t know this breed.
Harmeks Trufana
10
Dedicated to recognize, protect, and advance the Xoloitzcuintle in Australia.
Jacqi Dinis
Australia www.xoloaus.com
Ch Besito’s Naca (Imp USA) & Ch Besito’s Taha Daha (Imp USA) are proudly the first Xoloitzcuintles in Australia, both are health tested and DNA profiled.
Speaking of Xolos Myths and Realities of the Itzcuintli By Sergio Aguilera & Aurora Castillo
By the books of history and other writings of the time of the conquest, we think this beautiful canines, where food of the antique habitants of the valley of Anahuac. We affirm that if was a “mistake of appreciation” of the invaders, because in the great Tenochtitlan, the habitants, had to made use of all type of food, between we could find those animals that the great Tlatoani Moctecuzoma had, where several Itzcuintle canines outstand.
©Renata Magaldi
Another mistake of appreciation, is that the books where dictated to the Spanish priests, by the already judged naturals of the valley of Anahuac and perhaps they, pressured to survived, told everything the priests wanted to hear against the “bloody” mexica people to save “their skin”. 12
There are several contradictions in relation to this beautiful Mesoamerican canines. These prehispanic animals, where really sacrificed by the antique habitants of Mexico in funerary rituals to accompany the soul of the dead to the “Mictlan”, under a very strict protocol and ritual, of which a beautiful nahua legend exists and during this sacrifice, only where open and it’s viscera eaten as part of the ritual; the sacrificed dog, was cooked and buried with it’s owner. As result, in their narrations the priests said that they feed with them, when only once a year (in the summer solstice) where sacrificed to god Tlaloc some dogs, also under a ritual, so he would give them abundant rain; once the ritual was done, this beautiful animals where eaten by all the guests, according to their order of importance and hierarchy. Another situation jealously kept by the Spanish and by those who wrote the story of the invasion of Mexico, is that in their first travels back to Spain, the conquerors, for not having enough cattle they had to take in their return “live” food and they used almost every variety of Itzcuintle (it’s believed they where eight) and the same Spanish took them almost to extinction, hiding this event to the world and blaming the Mexicas.
Ch Cipactli (Rivera-Cortes) Mex. † Bred by Ana Rivera & Mario Cortes Owned by Sergio Aguilera & Aurora Castillo
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It’s perfectly defined that the god Xolotl had the figure of a dog (tenth day of the Aztec calendar), but the dog mystically was identified with funeral rituals. Actually the word “dog” in Nahuatl didn’t existed and only where identified by their size or type as Tachichi, Techichi, Chichi, Talchichi and Itzcuintli.
Ch Besito’s Naca (Imp USA) Bred by Patty Hoover Owned by Jacqi Dinis
In 2003 the name Xoloitzcuintle didn’t existed in Spanish and Latin dictionaries, even less in Hispanic encyclopedias; until the year 1985 their written existance could only be seen in the FCM texts; in 1989, the FCI accepts that the Mexican hairless dog is recognized as Xoloitzcuintle, including only two varieties: the Miniature and the Standard. It was until 1999 when the FCI accepts the classification of the 3 actual sizes.
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This prehispanic animal was unknown worldwide until before 1875, but in clay pottery or in drawings by which it was identified as a totally rare and almost extinct animal, only in private collections where found in Europe. In 1890, some German locate Xoloitzcuintles in the villags of the southeast Mexican mountain range and take them to their country to start breeding, sacrificing and the commercialization of their skin now turned into wallets, belts and shoes for gentlemen, besides purses for ladies, something very “chic” and exclusive of the high aristocracy, at the end of the XIX century. Around 1935, some Mexican masters of plastic adopt them; in this time the habitants of the Mexican provinces where very jealous and it wasn’t easy to locate the roots of where most of this, not rare, but different canines where found, either in wild state or as pets.
Ch Cipactli (Rivera-Cortes) Mex. † Bred by Ana Rivera & Mario Cortes Owned by Sergio Aguilera & Aurora Castillo
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We believe the word Xoloitzcuintle is owed to Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and other contemporaries perhaps spreading mexicanity (the taste for mexican art) decided to unite the terms “Xolotl” and “Itzcuintli”, to identify the breed. The actual Xoloitzcuintle phenotypically are not originals anymore, because the conquerors finished with almost all the specie and out antique habitants, perhaps when they saw one of their deities threatened, preferred to give them freedom. The wild canines (not dogs) wandered in the wild for more than 320 years, maybe breeding with the offspring of the dogs brought by the Spanish, or with coyotes, and dissapeared for the human race from 1530, to maybe 1875. Diego Rivera & his Xoloitzcuintles, 1955. Col. Dolores Olmedo Patiño ©Guillermo Zamora 16
Myths •It’s a Tepeitzcuintle (this is a rodent of the southeast zone of Mexico, also in danger of extinction. •It’s skin is oily (it depends on the amount of vegetable oils that the owner puts on them) •That they where used by Adolf Hitler in Germany for testing the burial chambers, for having a skin texture almost identical to the human being: sweat through the skin just like the human being, and even through the pads of their paws and they can get used to daily baths.
Realities •It’s skin is not rough, to the touch it is soft. •They do accept and tolerate kids. •They adapt to any weather, even extreme. (there are Xolos in Europe, Switzerland, Sweden, and also in Chihuahua, Sonora and one or two in Africa.
Ch Cipacna (Aguilera) Mex. † Bred and Owned by Sergio Aguilera ©Sonia Lara
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Finally, many wonder ¿what does a Xolo do? Because they only have been exploited commercially, no one has taken the discomfort of testing this Mexican breed; I’ve seen them and detected isolated in competitions of agility, obedience and guard, where they are outstanding; I have had the knowledge of some Xolos with characteristics for tracking, retrieving and even in rescue, where they also outstand but, due to their characteristic, they are not fit for attacks and even less to fight, even though they are seasoned and extremely territorial.
Tenoch Owned by Caro Orozco ©Caro Orozco Tenoch Propiedad de Caro Orozco ©Caro Orozco
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My experiences have given me the expected results. They are very observant and for their alert state, they tend to learn almost everything they see from other dogs, for which we must consider that besides having an usual pet, their skin must be hydrated, that a change in their human friend can take it to depression and this can bring skin or gastric diseases, etc. A lot of patience is needed, a lot of love, consistency and over all fixed habits, even more than with any other breed. Ch Cipactli (Rivera-Cortes) Mex. †Bred by Ana Rivera & Mario Cortes Owned by Sergio Aguilera & Aurora Castillo ŠJose Antonio
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Kennel Warner Bros We are proud to introduce our new stars!
Eragorn du Mont des Serfs Imported from France!
Warner Bros Güero Son of our mexican import Akab Tatei (Suedan) Mex. & Divins Mammours du Mont des Serfs
º Persson º and Jan-Ake Ase Sweden www.kennelwarnerbros.se
India and Belize did it again!!! For the second time both got the World Winner title, and despites India’s age she got BOB at a WDS for the second time!
The care of the Xoloitzcuintle’s skin By MVZ Hugo Paul Hernández Montaño Kennel “Cem Anahuac”
Fame Factory’s Marvelous Bred and Owned by Emma Hansson ©Giovanna Suedan
The Xolo, or mexican hairless dog, has as main characteristic the absence of hair in the body – with exception of some zones, mainly head, legs and tail- whose origin is a gene also related to the lack of some teeth. Because of the lack of hair, the skin of this dogs constantly has scratches, abrasions or wounds more or less severe caused by playing or fighting with other dogs or for resting on rough surface, for example. 21
Acne in dogs? It’s proven that the dogs of this breed have sweat glands in the chest and abdomen, this allows them to sweat and thus regulate their body temperature, some may get obstructed and form pimples, the problem is that they can get infected, therefore you have to pay special attention to this. This is a hormonal problem related to puberty, which ends in the Miniature and Intermediate Xolo between one and one and a half years, and in the Standard we are talking of two years. After this period the problem is solved by itself, otherwise this is a case of canine acne.
BIS Ch. Binidxaba (Hoover) Bred by Patty Hoover Owned by Angel Garcia
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Some shampoos and gels with benzodyl peroxide, mupirocin ointment – all of them with antibacterial agents; isotretinoin, tretinoin- reduce the folicular keratosis which causes the hardening of the pimples; and corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation and an antibiotic of general usage, are part of an effective treatment that should be determined by the veterinarian, this is very important because with the self-medication we take the risk to produce irritation, burns and even suppression of adrenal glands, among other consequences. IMA Fallen Angel Owned and Bred by Donna Cawley 23
How to prevent It is best to apply once a day a moisturizer cream made with vitamin A, aloe or almonds to moisturize the skin and keep it soft and smooth; some breeders recommend to apply after bathing, once the dog is hydrated. Both, soaps and creams, used on these dogs should be hypoallergenic to avoid posible allergic reaction in their skin.
When scrubbing the Xolo during the bath is recommended to do it with a fiber or loofa to exf贸liate the skin and remove the dead cells; once or twice a week you can apply an oil with the ingredients mentioned before to brighten and enhance the tone of the skin.
Ch. Chichen Itza Ethan Provocative Man Bred by Roger Esparcieux Owned by Elena Miroshnichenko 24
Centli (Alvarez) Mex.FCI & Amixtli (Magaldi) Mex. Bred by Victor Alvarez (Centli) & Renata Magaldi (Amixtli) Owned by Renata Magaldi
By the way, about the skin tones we should say that the gray is the most common, followed by black, liver, bronze, copper, and the orchid or butterfly, the dogs of the last two tones require ultraviolet sun block with SPF 40 or higher, due to a poor pigmentation in the orchid and lack of melanin in the butterfly, to achieve a full protection and avoid solar burns or the formation of melanoma –skin cancer- in those dogs who are outdoors all day. The ingredients of the sunscreen must be verified by the veterinarian as the animals tend to lick whatever we put on their skin. 25
ŠDanielsen Foto
Maya Tikal Finishes 2010 as Maya is proudly Panamerican and Swedish Champion owned and bred by with Multiple Best of breed wins in Mexico and a Best in Specialty Show in Sweden. Giovanna Suedan Thank you to all those who supported us this year, specially to Ase and Janne Persson for all their attentions during our trip to Sweden and to Angel Garcia for his advice and support during ExpoCan Guadalajara 2010.
~Casa Tozani~ Xoloitzcuintles www.webs.casatozani.com Mexico
“Chango” A special Xolo My name is Chango, I’m a 1 year old Standard Xolo, and I had a rough start in life… Someone burned my eyes with gasoline and I got hit by a car which caused me a broken hip and a severe spinal injury. Seeing only shadows and having problems to walk I lived like this in the streets of Puerto Vallarta for 6 months untill I was rescued. I’m living with the foster family that rescued me, they are taking good care of me and thanks to the donations I was able to get a surgery and start my rehabilitation, but I need the help of all of you to get more surgeries, medicine, special food to help me gain weight and rehabilitation so I can walk normaly again and recover part of my sight.
If you would like to donate to help me recover or if you want yo know more about me please write to
ayudandoachango@gmail.com 27
Xoloitzcuintles Magaldi Top quality Miniature and Intermediate Xolos of both varieties
Renata Magaldi Mexico www.xolosminiatura.com
Bloodline of Mexican and International Champions
Top Xolos of 2010 in Mexico The Federacion Canofila Mexicana (Mexican Kennel Club) organizes dog shows all over the country. During the year FCM has a record of all dogs shown; each “Best of Breed” win is equivalent to 1 point and at the end of the year FCM’s gives the award of “Best Dog of the Breed” to the dog who has more points. This year the top Xolos according to FCM’s official ranking where the following. 29
Puppy A (3-6 months) Points
Name
Sex
Size
Owner
18
Colima (Avalos) Mex.FCI
Female
Standard
Hugo Avalos
7
Rey Coliman (Avalos) Mex.FCI
Male
Standard
Donna Cawley
1
Mc’Roc Xaguixe Colima Mex.FCI
Female
Miniature
Guillermo Espinoza
1
Goliat (Langarica) Mex.
Male
Miniature
Sixto Langarica
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Puppy A (3-6 months)
ŠJ. Ortega
Rey Coliman (Avalos) Mex.FCI Bred by Hugo Avalos Owned by Donna Cawley
Colima (Avalos) Mex.FCI Bred and Owned by Hugo Avalos
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Standard Points
Name
Sex
Owner
95
Tenango (Arena) Mex
Male
Bego単a Gimenez-Valdes
20
Tecoman (Avalos) Mex.FCI
Male
Hugo Avalos Gutierrez
3
Cuauhnahuac (Hernandez) Mex.FCI
Female
Marco Antonio Hernandez
1
Tonali (Ramirez) Mex.FCI
Male
Alma Gorostieta
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Standard
©J. Ortega
MultiCh. Tenango (Arena) Mex. Bred by Guadalupe Arena Owned by Begoña Gimenez-Valdes
MultiCh. Tecoman (Avalos) Mex.FCI Owned and Bred by Hugo Avalos 33
Intermediate Points
Name
Sex
Owner
6
Palpan (Gimenez-Valdes) Mex.FCI
Female Fidel Luis Gimenez-Valdes
4
Tlaloc-Gaspar (Gimenez-Valdes) Mex.FCI
Male
Mikhail Zlobin
3
Apancingo (Gimenez-Valdes) Mex.FCI
Male
Sian Gordon & Cath Davies
3
Mc'Roc Cuauhtemoc Mex.FCI
Male
KennelMc'Roc
3
Nayar (Gimenez-Valdes/Gimenez)Mex.FCI Male
3
Teey (Del Villar) Mex.
Female Patricia Beatriz del Villar
2
Mc'Roc Malintzin Mex.FCI
Female Magnus Svensson
2
Xmajana (Gutierrez) Mex.
Female Jorge Alberto Gutierrez
1
Yohualli (Retana) Mex.
Male
Sergio Aguilera & Aurora Castillo
1
Yei (Gimenez-Valdes) Mex.FCI
Male
Fidel Luis Gimenez-Valdes
1
Chapoxtle (Gasca)Mex.
Male
Seth Gasca Briones
Fidel Luis Gimenez-Valdes
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Intermediate ©Alan V. Walker
MultiCh Apancingo (Gimenez-Valdes) Mex.FCI Bred by Rafael Gimenez-Valdes Owned by Sian Gordon & Catherine Davis
Mc’Roc Malintzin Mex.FCI Bred by Kennel Mc’Roc Owned by Magnus Svensson
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Intermediate
MultiCh WW06-07 Nayar (Gimenez-Valdes/Gimenez)Mex.FCI Bred & Owned by Rafael Gimenez-Valdes & Fidel Gimenez-Valdes
Ch Yohualli (Retana) Mex. Bred by Miguel Angel Retana Owned by Sergio Aguilera & Aurora Castillo
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Miniature Points
Name
Sex
Owner
10
Mc'Roc Xantico Mex.FCI
Female
Kennel Mc'Roc
8
Mc'Roc Xaguixe Colima Mex.FCI
Female
Guillermo Espinoza
7
Maya (Sanchez) Mex.FCI
Female
Guillermo Espinoza
5
Huracan (Martinez/Corrales) Mex.FCI
Male
Jose Luis Corrales
4
Chatino (Hoover) Mex.FCI
Male
Dolores Arbide
4
Maya Tikal (Quintero) Mex.
Female
Giovanna Suedรกn
4
Mc'Roc Balam Mex.
Male
Kennel Mc'Roc
3
Mc'Roc Cancun's Boy Mex.FCI
Male
Kennel Mc'Roc
3
Mc'Roc Carmina Mex.FCI
Female
Kennel Mc'Roc
3
Ichpochtli (Gimenez-Valdes) Mex.FCI
Female
Fidel Gimenez-Valdes
2
Tizon (Corrales) Mex.
Male
Alma Gorostieta
2
Mc'Roc Phoebe Mex.FCI
Female
Kennel Mc'Roc
2
Xel-Ha (Sanchez) Mex.FCI
Female
Kennel Mc'Roc
2
Yaocihuatl (Retana) Mex.
Female
Miguel Angel Retana
1
Mc'Roc Xcaret's Girl Mex.FCI
Female
Kennel Mc'Roc
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Miniature
©J. Ortega
MexCh Maya (Sanchez) Mex.FCI Bred by David Sanchez Owned by Guillermo Espinoza
Mc’Roc Xaguixe Colima Mex.FCI Bred by Kennel Mc’Roc Owned by Guillermo Espinoza
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Miniature
BISS MexCh PanamCh SweCh Maya Tikal (Quintero) Mex. Bred by Monica Quintero Owned by Giovanna Suedan
Ch Tizon (Corrales) Mex. Bred by Jose Luis Corrales Owned by Alma Gorostieta 39
Mexico en la piel Mexican art & Jewelry
Hand made jewelry with silver and precious stones, Xolo pottery, hand painted wooden boxes, silver Xolo pendants and more!
Maria Enriqueta Gonzalez & Giovanna SuedĂ n Jalisco, Mexico gio.suedan@live.com
The Xoloitzcuintle database (XoloD for short) was set up in June 2010 by Wendy Van Goolen, creator and administrator of the Peruvian Health Database and Breeders Worldwide. The main goal of this database is to provide easier access to information of Xolos for breeders and (future) owners worldwide, with as much useful information as possible. At the XoloD you can find pedigrees with up to 9 generations of Xolos from all over the world, pictures, merits and also health results. We currently have over 700 Xolos of the 3 sizes and both varieties listed!!!
For more information about the database and it’s usage please visit
www.xolo.fullmonty.nl 41
Kennel Naglis Top quality Russian Toy Terrier & Standard and Miniature Xoloitzcuintle
We are proud to introduce our new import from Russia
Tecuani Qara Dag A lovely Standard male bred by July Karjakina from “Kennel Tecuani� Kristina Gervinskaite & Alberta Gervinskiene Lithuania www.naglis.tik.lt
People of Xolos Lascelles de Premio Real “Lascie”, as everyone knew her, was born in Canada and lived in varios parts of Europe, but spent most of her life in Mexico. After coming to Mexico she gained interest in the mexican culture, which arose her interest in the Xoloitzcuintle. Together with other Xolo lovers such as Norman Wright and Katherine Walch, she traveled several times to the State of Guerrero to get few of the Xoloitzcuintles that where left in the area to bring the breed back from near extinction. She dedicated her time to set a type for the breed and establish the Breed Standard of the Xoloitzcuintle so it could be accepted by the Federacion Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
Lascie with a Xolo puppy at her home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. 1992. ©Patty Hoover 43
Lascie was judge, former administrator of the FCM and show actively her own dogs. She bred several breeds such as Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers, but for the last forty years of her life her main interest was the Xoloitzcuintle, which she showed at every opportunity she had. Norman Wright holding a puppy, Lascelles de Premio Real feeding it, 1950
She was very proud of the Mexican culture, and wore a rebozo (Mexican shawl) when she judged in other countries. The last years of her life she lived in the town of San Miguel de Allende, in Guanajuato, where she promoted shows and continued her work with the breed and as an international judge.
Lascie’s Poodle “Alfred” and Xolo “Tlapehuala” 44
Lascie was always friendly and helpful to those who sought her for information about the Xoloitzcuintle. She loved sharing her knowledge and experiences with others, and encouraged good ethical breeding.
Lascie with her Xolos
Lascie passed away at the age of 83 on September 26, 1998
“Xolos are a work of art� - Lascelles de Premio Real
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The xoloitzcuintle, cultural Hero By Raymundo Flores
When we see a Xoloitzcuintle we can’t ignore it. Their appearance brings out a range of sensations that can go from admiration to rejection, since the absense of hair makes it strange, different to most mammals with which we are used to liveing with our daily lives. His demeanour and presence makes him unique, mysterious, and elegant. What we know about it is between reality and myth, but everything speaks of a special being that has persisted over a great part of the history of Mexico.
Chilango (Mendiola) Bred by Cesar Mendiola Owned by Raymundo Flores 47
When we have the opportunity to meet a Xolo, live with it, we realize many of their qualities, which are outstanding, being good company, loving and playful, being present only the necessary since Xolos are rather quiet and of attentive look. Everything calls their attention. As far as food concerns the Xolo conforms with the commercial food but, you have to see it enjoy an apple, a banana, a pear or melon pieces: seems like a child eating his favorite candy. Bathing is very simple, because due to the lack of hair we just get it wet, soap, scrub, rinse and dry it. All this in a matter of a few minutes.
Cuitlahuac (Gimenez-Valdes) Mex.FCI Bred by Rafael Gimenez-Valdes Owned by Stephanie Mazzarella
When its time to play they make a festive atmosphere where they are, it’s all running, jumping, going, coming back, to then return to it’s owner in search of a touch of approval and return to the game. 48
I couldn’t stop talking about the coated Xoloitzcuintle, which shares characteristics of it’s naked sibling but has a full set of teeth and is slightly higher in size. Both mexican dogs, make present the duality of the breed which contains a symbolisim that goes into several Mesoamerican cultures, without going further is enough to remember those clay pieces made in western Mexico. These representations of the Mesoamerican dog found in shaft tombs refer to the usage of this dogs when the man –when the time has come- must cross the river to go to the Mictlán. Episode closely related to god Xólotl, twin of Quetzalcóatl, when he travels to the underworld for the bones that will lead to the creation of man.
Ch. Coliman (Avalos) Mex.FCI Bred by Hugo Avalos Owned by Szabolcs Bazula
49
It has been said that the Xoloitzcuintle has healing powers, the truth is that, lacking hair, it’s body heat seems to be superior to any other dog, effects that may be a therapeutic aid in cases related to rheumatism and relief of colics, since it acts as a hot water bag. When two Xoloitzcuintles play they remind us one of those pieces found in colima, where it seems that two dogs are dancing. They way to intertwine, hitting and biting without causing great harm is a kind of dance, that rarely, ends in anger or plaintive cry of one of the participants.
“Dancing Xolos” Colima, Mexico ©Janne Persson
This causes the skin of the hairless Xoloitzcuintle scratch and get a few marks that with time and a little bit of care will disappear. In this line the skin moisture is important to prevent that the Xoloitzcuintle, due to dry skin, scratches and produce some wounds that can trigger a serious 50 problem.
Original habitant of the Balsas Basin, that the prehispanic man made it go to South America, has persisted over the course of the Colony without human help staying, as a refuge, in the rural communities that still in the decade of the 40’s were of difficult access due to the lack of roads and highways, but also but the almost absence of other breeds. There, for a long time living with the farmer of “tierra caliente” (hot land) passed to be part of the landscape, to be an element more, until the arrival of people interested in these historical relics who brought them to the national stage and show cased them to the world. Ch Besito’s Taha Daha (Imp USA) Cria de Patty Hoover Propiedad de Jacqi Dinis
51
Placed in front of the astonished gaze of the Mexican –during the nationalist stagewas adopted by several renowned intellectuals and began to take shape as a “cultural hero”, symbol of the national, the owned, the original. Thus began the modern history of the Xoloitzcuintle, where dogs are bred and selected, actions that, to medium term, will result in the creation of a breed standard and three different sizes: standard, intermediate and miniature.
Ch Maya Tikal (Quintero) Mex. Bred by Monica Quintero Owned by Giovanna Suedan
The Xoloitzcuintle is not the only breed of dog originated in what now is Mexico, archaeological remains associated with burials and ceremonial contexts give notice of at least three more, but that will be subject of the next installment.
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In Memoriam
Rafael Gimenez-Valdes (19/07/1943 – 31/12/2010)
Our deepest condolences to the Gimenez-Valdes family for this great loss. Rafa, thank you so much for your support and advice, it was a pleasure to have met you. We will miss you a lot.
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