Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Xoloitzcuintli is one of the world’s most ancient breeds, existing for more than three thousand years. Its origin is linked to the civilizations of the Aztecs, Maya, and Toltecs, where dogs were considered sacred and symbolized the connection between humans and the gods. The breed’s name comes from the Aztec deity Xolotl — the patron of the dead and guide of souls. Xoloitzcuintlis were used as guard, healing, and ritual animals. After nearly disappearing, the breed was revived in the 20th century in Mexico and recognized as a national treasure, becoming a symbol of the country’s spiritual strength and ancient heritage.
General Appearance
The Xoloitzcuintli is a medium-format dog with noble, clearly defined lines and balanced proportions. The build is strong yet elegant, without signs of coarseness or heaviness. The body is slightly elongated, with a deep chest and a tucked-up abdomen. The head is wedge-shaped, with an intelligent and calm expression. The limbs are straight, dry, and strong, providing easy, smooth movement. The skin is smooth, firm, and elastic, without folds. The tail is of medium length, carried down at rest and curved in a sickle shape in motion. The overall impression of the Xoloitzcuintli expresses ancient origin, inner strength, elegance, and the natural harmony of this unique breed.
Important Proportions
The Xoloitzcuintli has harmonious proportions that reflect a balance of strength, lightness, and elegance. The body length slightly exceeds the height at the withers, giving the dog a slightly elongated format. The muzzle length equals the length of the skull; the stop is smooth but noticeable. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows; the back is straight and strong; the loin is short and muscular. The croup is slightly sloping; the abdomen is tucked up. The limbs are long, straight, and proportional to the body. All lines must be clear, smooth, and balanced. Overall, the proportions of the Xoloitzcuintli emphasize its natural harmony, nobility, and stability.
Behavior and Temperament
The Xoloitzcuintli is a balanced, intelligent, and noble dog with a developed intellect and strong intuition. It is devoted to its owner and distinguished by calmness and restraint, showing wariness toward strangers without signs of aggression. The Xoloitzcuintli adapts easily to different conditions, has a well-developed sense of tact and emotional sensitivity. This is a companion dog capable of deeply understanding a person’s mood and being gentle yet decisive when necessary. Its character combines ancient strength, loyalty, and inner equilibrium, making the breed reliable, harmonious, and intelligent.
Head
The head of the Xoloitzcuintli is wedge-shaped, proportional and expressive, with noble outlines. The skull is moderately broad and almost flat; the stop from forehead to muzzle is smooth but clearly discernible. The muzzle is elongated, with a straight nasal bridge, gradually narrowing toward the end but not pointed. The nose is large and well pigmented, matching the general tone of the color. The lips are dry and tight-fitting; the jaws are powerful, with a scissor bite. The cheekbones are smooth, not prominent, emphasizing the refined shape of the head. The overall expression is intelligent, calm, and attentive, reflecting the breed’s noble and balanced character.
Facial Region
The facial region of the Xoloitzcuintli is dry, proportional, and harmonious. The muzzle is elongated, wedge-shaped, narrowing toward the nose leather yet remaining sufficiently broad at the base. The nasal bridge is straight; the nose leather is large, well pigmented, with widely open nostrils. The lips are thin, tight, without looseness, emphasizing clean lines. The jaws are strong, with a full set of white teeth and a scissor bite. The cheekbones are smooth, not prominent; the transition from forehead to muzzle is smooth but distinct. The facial region must maintain clarity of lines and expressiveness, underscoring the intelligent, calm, and noble expression of the Xoloitzcuintli.
Eyes
The eyes of the Xoloitzcuintli are medium-sized, almond-shaped, set slightly obliquely, which gives the expression balance and attentiveness. The iris color ranges from dark brown to amber, depending on skin color, but the darkest possible tone is preferred. The eyelids are tight, fully pigmented, matching the nose color. The gaze is intelligent, calm, and deep, reflecting the breed’s nobility and inner harmony. Excessively light, protruding, or round eyes are unacceptable, as they disrupt the typical soft, thoughtful expression characteristic of the Xoloitzcuintli.
Ears
The ears of the Xoloitzcuintli are large, erect, triangular, with a broad base and slightly rounded tips. They are set high but not too close together, directed upward, giving the dog an alert, noble look. At rest they may tilt slightly to the sides; when attentive they rise vertically, emphasizing liveliness and intelligence. The skin on the ears is thin, elastic, without folds, covered with a minimal amount of hair or completely smooth. Small, low-set, or hanging ears are unacceptable — they spoil the characteristic expression and breed type of the Xoloitzcuintli.
Neck
The neck of the Xoloitzcuintli is long, graceful, and muscular, with a slight arch that blends smoothly into the withers and shoulders. It is set high, giving the dog a noble posture and emphasizing its elegant silhouette. The skin on the neck is firm, smooth, without folds or dewlap. The musculature is moderately developed, providing flexibility and strength without creating an impression of heaviness. The correct shape of the neck emphasizes the harmony and natural grace of the Xoloitzcuintli, uniting the power and elegance characteristic of this ancient breed.
Body
The body of the Xoloitzcuintli is strong, proportional, and harmonious, with clearly defined lines. The back is straight, strong, and springy; the loin is short, muscular, and slightly arched. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows; the ribs are moderately sprung, providing sufficient volume without barrel shape. The croup is broad, slightly sloping, smoothly transitioning into the tail base. The abdomen is tucked up, emphasizing lightness and athleticism. The shoulder blades are long and sloping, providing freedom of movement. The body of the Xoloitzcuintli expresses an ideal combination of strength, flexibility, and stability, giving the dog an elegant and balanced silhouette characteristic of the ancient breed.
Tail
The tail of the Xoloitzcuintli is of medium length, set on the topline and forming a natural continuation of the body. Thick at the base, it gradually tapers toward the tip, flexible and mobile. At rest it is carried down; in motion it rises in a sickle shape or gracefully curls over the back without touching it. The surface of the tail is smooth; the skin is firm, without hair or with a small tuft of hair at the tip. The tail should emphasize the harmony and balance of the exterior, complementing the silhouette. A short, overly curved, or kinked tail is unacceptable, as it spoils the elegance and proportions of the breed.
Exterior Description
Forequarters
The forequarters of the Xoloitzcuintli are straight, strong, and dry, with well-developed muscles and solid bone. The shoulder blades are long and sloping, fitting closely to the body and forming the correct angle with the upper arms, ensuring ease and amplitude of movement. The elbows are directed strictly backward, neither turned out nor pressed in. The forearms are long and straight; the pasterns are short, resilient, and slightly sloping. The feet are compact, oval, with firm pads and tightly gathered toes. The limbs must be parallel and stable, emphasizing the dog’s strength and elegance. Correct limb placement ensures smooth, confident, and steady movement in the Xoloitzcuintli.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters of the Xoloitzcuintli are powerful, muscular, and proportional to the forequarters, providing the dog with stability and driving force. The thighs are long, strong, and well muscled; the stifles are clearly defined and well bent. The lower legs are straight and strong; the hocks are firm and set low; the metatarsi are short and vertical when viewed from behind. The feet are compact, with strong pads and moderately arched toes. The limbs are parallel, without curvature; the movement is free and springy. The correct structure of the hind legs gives the Xoloitzcuintli strength, balance, and smoothness of movement, emphasizing its natural harmony and ancient endurance.
Gait and Movement
The gait of the St. Petersburg Orchid is light, springy, and elegant. Movements are free, smooth, and confident, demonstrating structural harmony. The forelegs move straight and parallel; the hind legs create an energetic push, maintaining balance. The topline remains steady without oscillation. In motion the dog gives an impression of lightness and grace, emphasizing elegance and confidence. Stiffness, instability, cow-hocks, or weak steps are unacceptable.
Coat
The coat of the Xoloitzcuintli occurs in two types — hairless and coated (hairy). In the hairless dogs the skin is smooth, elastic, and firm, warm to the touch, without signs of hair except for possible small tufts on the head, tail tip, or feet. In the coated type the hair is short, dense, close-lying, and shiny, without undercoat. Regardless of the variant, the skin and hair must be healthy, without dandruff, cracks, or spots. Both types are recognized equally by the standard but require appropriate care. The covering must emphasize the elegance, clarity of lines, and natural beauty of the Xoloitzcuintli.
Acceptable Colors
Acceptable colors of the Xoloitzcuintli include all solid shades — black, dark gray, bronze, reddish-brown, fawn, golden, and beige. Small white markings on the chest, feet, or tail tip are permitted, but an even, saturated color is preferred. In the hairless type, the skin should be uniform, without spots and sharp contrasts. In the coated variant, slight shade variations are possible. Marbled, piebald, brindle, or heavily spotted patterns are unacceptable. The color of the Xoloitzcuintli must emphasize the breed’s natural harmony and ancient nobility while retaining its authentic appearance.
Size
The Xoloitzcuintli is presented in three size varieties: miniature, medium, and standard. Height at the withers for miniature individuals is from 25 to 35 cm; for medium — 36–45 cm; for standard — 46–60 cm. Weight varies accordingly from 4 to 25 kg, proportional to height and body format. Regardless of size, the dog must maintain the breed type — a strong yet elegant build, proportional lines, and a noble expression. A Xoloitzcuintli of any size must give the impression of a harmonious, balanced, and enduring dog with an elegant, confident exterior.
Faults
The Xoloitzcuintli is presented in three size varieties: Height at the withers for miniature individuals is from 25 to 35 cm; for medium — 36–45 cm; for standard — 46–60 cm. Weight varies accordingly from 4 to 25 kg, proportional to height and body format. Regardless of size, the dog must maintain the breed type — a strong yet elegant build, proportional lines, and a noble expression. A Xoloitzcuintli of any size must give the impression of a harmonious, balanced, and enduring dog with an elegant, confident exterior.
Disqualification
Disqualifying signs of the Xoloitzcuintli include serious deviations from the standard that impair health, exterior, or behavior. Unacceptable are incorrect bite (overshot, undershot, crossed jaws), partial or complete absence of teeth, blue or heterochromatic eyes, depigmentation of the nose leather, lips, or eyelids. Dogs with deformities of the spine, tail, or limbs, signs of albinism, excessive or completely absent hair in the hairless type are excluded. Marbled, piebald, brindle, or uneven coloration is unacceptable. Aggressive, fearful, or unstable behavior is also a reason for disqualification, as are any surgical interventions that alter the dog’s natural appearance.
Important Notes
The Xoloitzcuintli is a unique ancient breed, a symbol of harmony, intelligence, and the spiritual connection between humans and nature. In the ICCF system, special attention is paid to preserving breed purity, a healthy exterior, and a stable psyche. Breeding is permitted only among individuals with documents confirming origin and compliance with the standard. It is important to avoid excessive ornamentation, and it is unacceptable to distort the natural type through artificial selection. The hairless and coated types are equivalent, but both must retain proportionality and breed balance. The Xoloitzcuintli must demonstrate ancient grace, inner strength, and equilibrium — qualities that make it a benchmark of natural beauty according to ICCF standards.
Conclusion
The Xoloitzcuintli is a living legend, embodying ancient history, devotion, and nobility. This breed combines harmony of body and spirit, strength and calm, intelligence and loyalty. In the ICCF system, the Xoloitzcuintli is recognized as a standard of natural purity and balance, having preserved its original type for millennia. The dog must demonstrate confidence, intelligence, and restraint while remaining a devoted companion to humans. Only individuals with official ICCF documents confirming origin and full compliance with the standard are allowed to participate in shows and breeding. Observing these rules guarantees the preservation of the true appearance and spirit of this ancient breed.
