How to Avoid Skin Problems in the Mexican Hairless Dog

The elegant Mexican Hairless Dog otherwise known as the Xoloitzcuintli was once thought to be related to the Chinese Crested although this has now been disproved. The breed is among the most ancient on the planet, having been around for well over 3000 years and the fact these dogs are hairless is a natural evolution unlike other hairless breeds of dogs.

The good news is that unlike many other pedigree dogs, the Xolo is known to be a robust and healthy dog although like the Chinese Crested, they are prone to having an abnormal tooth structure which is thought to be part of the gene mutation responsible for the fact they are hairless. With this said, taking care of their skin is all-important to avoid any problems developing because if a rash flares up, it can prove very hard to clear up.

Some Xolos are Born with Hair

The thing to bear in mind is that some Xolos are born with hair, whereas others are not and although in general a well-bred dog will boast very good skin, a poorly-bred Mexican Hairless dog might be more prone to developing certain skin issues. Another reason for a skin disorder to flare up is through neglect or at the other end of the scale a skin problem might occur due to overdoing things. This includes over bathing a Xolo and using too many lotions as well as potions on a dog's skin.

Over Bathing Can be a Real Problem

Although it's essential to keep a Xolos' skin nice and clean, over bathing a dog can rob it of all the protective oils their skin needs to remain in good condition. The result is dry and flaky skin which can then open the door to fungal and bacterial infections taking hold. The other thing that's crucial is to only use creams and lotions that have been specifically formulated for use on dogs and if possible ones that are for use on hairless breeds of dogs.

Dogs with White Spots

Xolos with white spots on their bodies are more at risk of getting sunburnt which is why it's essential to keep them in when the weather is really hot. When you take them out for a walk you have to make sure you've rubbed a protective dog-specific sun cream on their skin beforehand making sure it's a weatherproof product that won't wash off should you get caught in a summer downpour. It's surprising how quickly a dog's skin can be damaged by the sun so you have to make sure it is well protected.

How Often Should You Bath a Xolo?

As a rule of thumb you only need to bath a Xolo twice a month at the most although during the colder winter months it would be wiser to just give them a wipe over with warm water concentrating on their faces, between their toes, elbows and around their back ends where the skin might have a few more folds and where grease is more likely to build up and cause a problem.

It's also worth investing in some dog-specific oils and creams to rub into your pet's body if their skin ever looks a little dry or flaky. If you are unsure which products to use, it's worth discussing things with the vet who may be able to recommend a particular brand that's good to use on Mexican Hairless dogs.

Contacting Reputable Breeders is a Must

If you have set your heart on sharing your home with a Mexican Hairless puppy, you might find that you would have to accept being put on a waiting list because these dogs are still quite rare here in the UK. A reputable breeder would be able to show you their puppies bloodlines which is important because this is the only way you'll know the puppies are pedigree dogs and not a mix of other dogs. It's also important for the puppies to be registered with the Kennel Club because this is the only real guarantee that you have they are pedigree dogs.

A reputable, well-established breeder would avoid using two hairless Xolos to breed from because their offspring run the risk of being what is known as homozygous dogs. As such and in order to keep a diverse gene pool, it is far better and wiser to use Xolos that boasts coats in a breeding programme even though it means some of the puppies produced may have hair and others might not.

Conclusion

The Mexican Hairless Dog is a very elegant character and one that is known to be pretty robust when it comes to health issues. Some Xolos are born with hair whereas others are not which is something that's worth bearing in mind. If you have set your heart on buying a hairless Xolo, it's important that you take good care of their skin making sure it is well protected during the hotter summer months to avoid them getting sunburnt. It's also essential to keep an eye on their skin to make sure no rashes or skin irritations are flaring up. If you notice any sore patches, the sooner they are treated by a vet, the easier they tend to be to clear up.