XOLOITZCUINTLE
Hairless Variety
Coated Variety
(Xoloitzcuintle Variedad sin Pelo - Variedad con Pelo)

FCI-Standard N° 234 / 12.01.2009/ GB

TRANSLATION: Federación Canófila Mexicana, A.C.
Revised by: J. Mulholland and R. Triquet

ORIGIN: Mexico

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 04.11.2008.

UTILIZATION : Standard Size: Watchdog.
Intermediate Size: Watchdog.
Miniature Size: Companion Dog.

FCI CLASSIFICATION : Group 5 Spitz and Primitive Types.
Section 6 Primitive Type.
Without working trial.

PREAMBLE : The gene that produces the absence of hair is dominant. Nevertheless, some puppies are born with a coat. The hairless to hairless breeding will produce the least number of coated puppies therefore this has been preferred. It has been proven that this breeding maintains and improves the quality of the breed.
Crossing hairless to hairless dogs fosters the appearance of a fatal gene affecting 25% of homozygous puppies and should be given careful attention. Considering the rarity of the breed, and the difficulty that some breeders in distant locations have in finding breeding stock, and for the purpose of providing genetic diversity, well constructed coated Xoloitzcuintles may be used for breeding but never for exhibition in beauty contests. Breeding between coated Xoloitzcuintles is not permitted. Xoloitzcuintle coated breeding stock must be the offspring of registered parents with at least one generation of hairless to hairless breeding.

The meat of the Xolo was considered a delicacy in pre-hispanic Mexico, eaten by the indigenous Mexicans in special ceremonies as a ritual to their beliefs, and therefore became scarce, reaching a point of near extinction. The Federación Canofila Mexicana (Mexican Kennel Club) rescued this native breed and has used the Xoloitzcuintle on its logo since 1940.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: Their origin dates far back in history. The indigenous people fed on its highly desired meat in special ceremonies. The Xoloitzcuintle was regarded as a representative of the god "Xolotl", from which its name obviously originates. Its task was to guide the souls of the dead to their eternal destination. The hairless variety of the breed is also known by the name "perro pelón mexicano" (Mexican Hairless Dog). The coated variety was known by the natives as "izcuintle".

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Hairless variety : It is a very attractive dog; the most important characteristic is the complete or almost complete lack of any hair, with a smooth and soft skin. It has a well-proportioned body, chest is ample, ribs well sprung, limbs and tail are long.

Coated variety : A very attractive, completely coated dog with the same harmonious proportions as the hairless variety. The coat can be of any color, length and texture. Its body is well-proportioned, chest is ample, ribs well sprung, limbs and tail are long.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The body, measured from the point of shoulder to the point of buttock and from the highest point of the withers to the ground, is slightly longer than tall: approximately 10:9. Females may be slightly longer than males due to their reproductive function. The skull and the muzzle are approximately of equal length.

TEMPERAMENT/BEHAVIOUR : The Xoloitzcuintle is a silent and calm dog, cheerful, alert and intelligent, suspicious toward strangers, a good watchdog and an excellent companion. It is never aggressive.

HEAD

CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Lupoid type, broad and strong, wedge-shaped. Seen from above it is wide and elegant; tapering toward the muzzle with an occipital protuberance that is not well-defined. The skull and muzzle planes are almost parallel.
Stop : Slight, but well defined.

FACIAL REGION :
Nose : The nose should be dark in dark-coloured dogs. It can be brown or pink in bronze-coloured dogs, pink or brown in blond specimens and spotted in spotted dogs.
Muzzle : Seen from the side, the muzzle is straight and the upper and lower jaws are very strong.
Lips : Tight and close fitting.
Jaws/Teeth :
Hairless Xoloitzcuintle : Strong jaws. The incisors should close perfectly in a scissor bite with the superior incisors overlapping; the interior surface of the superior incisors touching the external surface of the lower incisors, squaring the jaw. A level bite, edge to edge, is also permitted. The absence of a few incisors, canines, molars, pre-molars or rotated teeth should not be penalized, as many dogs do not have deep roots. Genetically, the absence of hair is closely linked to the absence of teeth.
Coated Xoloitzcuintle : Full dentition with scissor or level bite is required.
Tongue : The Xolo's tongue is generally pink but may have black markings, spots or stripes, which is a common characteristic of the breed. The tongue is always inside the mouth.

Cheeks : Slightly developed.
Eyes : Medium size, almond-shaped, with an alert and very intelligent expression. The colour varies according to the skin colour in black, brown, hazel, amber or yellow tones. Darker colours are preferred and both eyes should match. The eyelids should be well-pigmented black, brown or grey in dark-coloured dogs.
Light-coloured or pink eyelids are permitted in light-coloured dogs although this is not the most desirable colour.
Ears :
Hairless variety : The ears are long, large, expressive, very elegant and of fine texture; they are reminiscent of "bat" ears. They should be held erect when alert. In the alert position their axis should be 50 - 80 degrees from horizontal.
Coated Variety : The ears are long, large and elegant. They may be held erect or they may be down. Any position is acceptable. Both ears should be in the same position, when alert.

NECK :
Upper line : Carried high. Upper line slightly arched.
Length : Proportionately long.
Shape : Slim, flexible, well-muscled and very elegant.
Neck Skin : The skin on the neck is firm, elastic and close-fitting, without dewlap. Puppies show folds which disappear with age.

BODY : Strongly built.
Back : Top line perfectly straight and level.
Loin : Strong and muscular.
Chest : Seen in profile it is long and deep, descending to the elbows. The ribs are slightly sprung but never flat. Seen from the front the upper chest is of good breadth. The point of the sternum should not protrude.
Belly : Graceful line. Abdomen muscled and moderately tucked up.

TAIL : Long, thin and may have some tufts of hair, tapering from the base to the tip in the hairless Xoloitzcuintle, and completely covered with hair in the coated Xoloitzcuintle. In movement, it is carried up in a curve, never touching the back. When resting, it should hang with a slight hook at the end. Sometimes it is placed between the legs due to cold temperatures, or, this can be considered a sign of shyness. The tail should nearly reach the hock. The tail set should be an extension of the croup when the dog is at rest.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS :
Forelegs : Seen from the front, they are straight and perpendicular to the ground.
Shoulders : Flat and muscled with good scapula-humeral angulation which allows a long, free and elegant stride.
Elbows : Strong. They fit close to the chest, never turned outwards.

HINDQUARTERS : The profile of the croup should be slightly convex with an inclination of approximately 40 degrees to the horizontal. The hindquarters should be strong and well-muscled, with a moderate bend of stifle.
Hind legs : Seen from behind they are perfectly straight and parallel. The angle of the pelvis to the upper thigh joint, stifle and hock, are adequately open to permit both free and strong movement of the legs.
Cow hocks are to be strongly penalized. Seen from behind, the hind legs are never close.
Feet : The feet are of medium length (hare's foot) with toes arched and close together, may have short coarse hairs in the Hairless Xoloitzcuintle, and be covered with hair in the Coated Xoloitzcuintle. Nails are black in dark-coloured dogs, and lighter in bronze or blond dogs. The nails should be trimmed. The foot pads are strong and very resistant to any terrain. The inter-digital membranes are well-developed. Dewclaws should be removed on all four limbs except in countries where it is illegal to remove them.

MOVEMENT : In accordance with its angulations, the dog should move freely with a long, elegant, springy step; trot is quick and flowing, head and tail carried high.

SKIN :
Hairless variety : Due to the total absence of hair, the skin of this breed is of great importance. It is smooth, sensitive to touch and feels warmer because of direct heat emission due to the lack of hair; however its body temperature is the same as in other dogs with hair. The difference with haired breeds, which disperse body heat through natural ventilation, is that the skin requires more care from exposure to the sun and elements due to its lack of natural protection. Accidental scars are not penalized. The dog tends to sweat through its feet (foot pads and inter-digital membranes), which is why other than in extreme heat it seldom pants. It should be free of obvious skin problems.
Coated Variety : The skin of the coated Xoloitzcuintle is smooth and should be completely covered with hair.

COAT

HAIR :
Hairless variety : The characteristic of this breed is the total lack of hair on the body (hairless or nude dog) although there are some short, coarse thick hairs of any color on the forehead and back of the neck that should never be longer than 2.5 centimeters and should never form a long, soft topknot. It is common to find rough hair on the feet and on the end of the tail, however its absence should not be penalized.

Coated Variety : This variety of the Xoloitzcuintle has hair all over its body. It can be expected to have very little hair on its belly and inside the rear legs.

COLOUR :
Skin : Hairless variety: Solid, uniform, dark colours are preferred. The range includes black, blackish grey, slate grey, dark grey, reddish, liver, bronze, and blond. There may also be spots of any colour, including white or tri-coloured markings.
Coat : Coated Variety: It can have any colour or combination of colours in different tones. The hair may be of any length or texture, covering the entire body.

SIZE : There are three sizes for dogs as well as bitches.
Standard Variety: From 46 to 60 centimeters, tolerance of +2 cm in top quality dogs.
Intermediate Variety: From 36 to 45 centimeters.
Miniature Variety: From 25 to 35 centimeters.

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing criteria should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

" Very broad head
" Slack, loose or wrinkled skin in adult dogs.
" Loose, slack or wrinkled skin on the neck in adult dogs.
" Excessive dewlap.
" Light coloured, round or protruding eyes.
" Sunken (lordosis) or arched (xifosis) back.
" Sunken croup
" Cow hocks [literally "joined hocks"]
" Tail tightly curled over the back
" Short tail
" Flat feet

SEVERE FAULTS :
" Atypical dogs.
" Long narrow body with short legs.
" Protruding tongue

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS :
" Aggressiveness or excessive shyness
" Blue eyes or flecks of blue in the eyes
" Any Hairless or Coated Xoloitzcuintle with prognathism or enognathism.
" Dogs with a poor bite, denoted by poor positioning of the jaws.
" Cropped or droopy ears, in the Hairless Xoloitzcuintle
" Docked tail.
" Hair on any part of the hairless Xoloitzcuintle body other than the head, ears, neck, feet and tail
" Albinism, blindness or deafness.
" Dogs taller than 62 centimeters or shorter than 25 centimeters.

Any dog showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified

N.B.: Males should have two testicles of normal appearance fully descended into the scrotum.

____________________________________________________________________

PERUVIAN HAIRLESS DOG
(Perro sin pelo del Perú)

FCI-Standard N° 310/ 25. 04. 2001 / GB

TRANSLATION : Mrs. Peggy Davis.

ORIGIN : Peru.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 13.03.2001.

UTILIZATION : Companion dog.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 5 Spitz and primitive type. Section 6 Dogs of primitive type. Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : According to certain experts, this dog was introduced in Peru during the Chinese immigration, soon after the promulgation of the law abolishing the slavery of the blacks by the president of Peru, Don Ramón Castilla. On the other hand, other searchers suppose that this dog comes from the African continent through the intermediary of nomads who arrived in America accompanied by their hairless dogs. Another possible explanation is that the presence of this dog would be due to the migration of men and their dogs from Asia to America through the Bering Strait.
However, next to all these suppositions, there are certain proofs such as the representations which appear on ceramics of different pre-Inca civilisations (Vicus, Mochica, Chancay, Chancay, under Tiahuanacoid influence, Chimu); in many cases the hairless dog has replaced the Puma, the snake or the falcon, this in particular and in a more evident way in the Chancay culture. As we can gather from the reproductions, the hairless dog appears during the pre-Inca archeological periods, i.e. between the years 300 BC and the years 1400 AC.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Going by his general conformation, it is an elegant and slim dog, whose aspect expresses speed, strength and harmony without ever appearing coarse. This breed has, as a fundamental characteristic, the absence of hair all over the body.
Another particular feature is that the dentition is nearly always incomplete. Of noble and affectionate nature with those nearest to him, he is reserved towards strangers, lively, alert and a good guard.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The ratio between the height at the withers and the length of the body is of 1 : 1; the body of the females can be slightly longer than that of the males.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Noble and affectionate at home with those close to him, at the same time lively and alert; he is wary and a good guard in presence of strangers.

HEAD : Of lupo?d conformation.

CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Mesocephalic. Ortho?d, i.e. the upper axes of the skull and muzzle are parallel; a slight divergence is accepted. Seen from above, the skull is broad and the head tapers toward the nose. The superciliary arches are moderately developed. The occipital crest is hardly marked.
Stop : Cranial-facial depression barely marked (approximately 140°).

FACIAL REGION :
Nose : The colour of the nose must be in harmony with the different colours of the skin.
Muzzle : Seen in profile, the nasal bridge is straight.
Lips : They must be as tight as possible and close to the gums.
Jaws/Teeth : The incisors are in scissor bite and the canines developed normally. The absence of one or all the premolars and molars is accepted. The lower jaw is only slightly developed.
Cheeks : Normally developed.
Eyes : Alert and intelligent expression. The eyes must be of average dimensions, slightly almond shaped, neither deep-set nor prominent, normally and regularly placed, i.e. neither too close together nor too wide apart. The colour can vary from black, going through all shades of brown up to yellow, in harmony with the skin colour. In any case, both eyes must be of the same colour.
The colour of the eyelids may go from black to pink in subjects with light coloured face. The light pink colours are admitted but not sought after.
Ears : The ears must be pricked when the dog is attentive, whereas at rest, they are laid towards the back. The ears are of medium length; broad at the base, tapering progressively towards their tip, ending almost pointed. The ear set starts on the upper part of the skull to end laterally and obliquely. In erect position, the axes of the ears form an variable angle near 90°.

NECK :
Upper line : Curved (convex).
Length : Approximately the same length as the head.
Shape : Near to a truncated cone shape, supple, with good musculature.
Skin : Fine, smooth and elastic. Really close to the subcutaneous tissues. No dewlap.

BODY : Mesomorph.
Topline : Straight, although certain subjects show a dorsal-lumbar convexity which disappears at croup level.
Withers : Barely accentuated.
Back : Topline straight, with well developed back muscles often forming all along the back a muscular bi-convexity which extends to the lumbar region.
Lumbar region : Strong and well muscled. Its length reaches approximately 1/5 of the height at the withers.
Croup : Its upper profile is slightly convex. Its slant compared with the horizontal is about 40°. Its solid and well muscled conformation assures a good impulsion.
Chest : Seen from the front, the chest must have a good amplitude, but without excess; comes down almost to the elbow. The ribs must be lightly sprung, never flat. The girth of the chest, measured behind the elbows, must exceed by about 18% the height at the withers.
Underline and Belly : The lower profile draws an elegant and well marked line which goes from the lower part of the chest and rises along the belly which must be well tucked up, but without excess.

TAIL : The tail is set on low. Of good thickness at its root, it tapers towards its tip. When excited, the dog can carry the tail raised in a round curve above the backline, but never as curved as being rolled up. At rest, it hangs with a slight upward hook at the tip. Sometimes carried tucked in towards the abdomen. In length it almost reaches the hock. The tail must not be docked.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Well united with the body. Seen from the front, they are perfectly vertical and the elbows are not turned out. The angle at the shoulders joint varies between 100° and 120°. Seen in profile, the angle formed by the pastern and the vertical will be from 15° to 20°.
Forefeet : They are semi-long and look like hare-feet. The pads are strong and heat-resistant. The interdigital membranes are well developed. The black dogs have preferably black nails and the lighter dogs light nails.

HINDQUARTERS : The muscles are rounded and elastic. The curve of the buttocks is well marked. The coxal-femoral angle varies between 120° and 130°, and the femoral-tibial angle must be of 140°. Seen from behind, the hindquarters must be vertical. Dewclaws must be eliminated.
Hind feet : As the forefeet.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Given the structure and angulations of the above mentioned quarters, these dogs move with a rather short step, but fast and at the same time quite soft and flexible.

SKIN : The skin must be smooth and elastic all over the body, but can form a few rounded almost concentric lines on the head and round the eyes and the cheeks. It has been checked that the internal and external temperature of these dogs is exactly the same as that of other breeds.
The absence of hair leads to an immediate and direct emanation of heat, different from the hairy subjects, where the heat filters through the coat (hair) by natural ventilation.

COAT

HAIR : To deserve the name of hairless dog, the coat (hair) must be non-existant. Vestiges of hair on the head and at the extremities of the legs and the tail are admitted and, sometimes, a few rare hairs appear on the back.

COLOUR : The colour of the hair can vary from black in black dogs, slate black, elephant black, bluish black, the whole scale of greys, dark brown going to light blond.
All those colours can be uniform or show pinkish patches at all points of the body.

SIZE AND WEIGHT :
There are three sizes in the males and females.
Small : from 25 to 40 cm ( 9 3/4 to 15 3/4 inches).
Medium : from 40 to 50 cm (15 3/4 to 19 3/4 inches).
Large : from 50 to 65 cm (19 3/4 to 25 3/4 inches).

The weight is in relation to the size of the males and females.

Small : from 4 to 8 kg (8,8 to 17,6 lbs).
Medium : from 8 to 12 kg (17,6 to 26,4 lbs).
Large : from 12 to 25 kg (26,4 to 55,1 lbs).

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
" Semi-erect ears.
" Presence of dewclaws on the hindquarters.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :
" Aggresive or overly shy
" Upper or lower prognathism.
" Deviated jaw.
" Hanging or cropped ears.
" Tail-less, short tail, docked tail.
" Excessively hairy on the parts authorised by the standard.
" Presence of hair on other parts of the body not authorised by the standard.
" Albinism.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.