Xoloitzcuintli Cost Guide: What to Expect When Bringing Home the Mexican Hairless Dog

Xoloitzcuintli Characteristics

Before getting to the introduction of this dog breed, we know that many of you are trying to pronounce their name right. Don’t worry, happens to everyone. The correct way to pronounce it is Tsolo-itz-kwint-ly. To avoid the complicated name, you can simply call it Xolo. Now that we’ve got it right let’s talk about the breed.

Xoloitzcuintli is a hairless dog from Mexico (which makes them hypoallergenic). Often confused for the Chinese Crested because of their hairless property, this dog comes in a fully covered fur variant as well. Their name is derived from that of a Mexican god named ‘Xolotl’, which is known to have given birth to this breed, and ‘Itzcuīntli’, which means ‘dog’ in the native language of Nahuatl.

This breed can come in a variety of colors, including termed black, grey, bronze, yellowish-blonde, blue, and red. They are also available in 3 different sizes; Standard, Miniature, and Toy. This breed is known for having very high intelligence, sensitivity, high energy, inquisitiveness, intense hunting and social instincts, and a calm demeanor. They love to be a part of the family and show affection. The young ones can sometimes be a little mischievous with loud barking and extremely high energy, but age should soothe them down soon.

With proper training, these dogs can become excellent family companions as well as guard dogs. Having starred in popular films like Disney’s Coco, they are also the national dog of Mexico. Their hairless body prevents them from adapting to extreme temperatures, making them an indoor dog breed. However, like all dog breeds, they would need some amount of exercise and physical stimulation to help keep them entertained. Their big list of good qualities and the fact that they are rare and ancient has made Xoloitzcuintli a symbol of cultural heritage in Mexico.

What is the price of a Xoloitzcuintli? 

Xoloitzcuintli is an ancient and rare dog breed. They are so rare that even if you call them one of the first dogs of America, it wouldn’t be wrong. This could influence the price because getting one won’t be very easy. The lifetime costs, however, are influenced by some factors including diet, medical care, toys, grooming requirements, and initial set up costs. Let’s break it down and get an estimate for better understanding. According to Rover and the OVMA, here are the average costs of puppy ownership in Canada.

Buying: $2500 – $4000  

Xoloitzcuintli, being a rare and ancient dog breed could command a higher premium than other dog breeds when purchasing from a breeder. The price of one puppy can be around $2500-$4000 from a breeder. There are less than 1,000 Mexican hairless dogs in the US, which could contribute to this higher-than-average price. The cost can sometimes be lower at around $1000, depending upon the variation you choose. Some other factors that can influence the price are appearance, pedigree, registration papers, coat color, and the dog’s age. A red Xoloitzcuintli could cost more as they are more rare amongst this rare breed.

If you are looking for a Xoloitzcuintli under $300, then adopting one from a rescue shelter is a great option. There are some shelters that may have this dog available for adoption. The cost of adoption is around $100-$300 on average. If the dog is vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed or neutered, this price could be on the higher end of this range as the shelter would have accrued these costs of care. The adult dogs could cost less than the pups as there may be more maintenance involved for a pup as compared to the adult counterpart.

Monthly costs for a Xoloitzcuintli

Diets: $50-$80

The Mexican hairless dog is not a sporting one, so their diet requirements aren’t very demanding. A vet-recommended, high quality kibble is better. For training purposes, it is recommended you keep treats available as they typically respond better to positive reinforcements as compared to punishments or scolding. You could spend around $50-$80 per month on food.

Grooming: $80-$100

One of the biggest reliefs of having a hairless dog is the minimal amount of grooming required to maintain their coats. However, there is some grooming needed to help avoid the formation of acne on their body. If you decide to groom at home, your grooming kit should contain things like shampoo, hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste, nail clippers, eye and ear cleansers, among some other essentials. This could cost around $60-$80. In the case of the fur-coated variant, the at home grooming costs are around the same, and if you opt for a professional groomer, the cost could be around $80-$100 per session.

Medical Costs: $600-$900

It’s important to visit the vet at least 2-3 times a year, especially in the initial years to help ensure the physical well-being of the dog, and to examine and protect against the development of conditions at an early stage. Each vet visit could cost you around $100-$300 depending on the type of medical facility you choose.

One-time costs for a Mexican Hairless Dog

Initial Costs: $380-$450

You would need something like a starter kit for when you welcome this beautiful dog home. This could include items like leashes and collars, food and water bowls, a crate, a bed, toys, and chewies. Altogether, these items could cost you around $380-$450.

Microchipping: $50-$70

Spot recommends microchipping their pets to every pet parent. The cost can vary depending on your location, but an average cost could be around $50, and another $20 for registration.

Vaccines: $250-$300

Core vaccinations including rabies and parvovirus could cost around $100-$120 depending on the type of medical facility you use. Apart from that, flea and tick prevention and heartworm prevention are recommended and can add another $280-$350 to the bill. You can opt for other vaccines like Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, etc. which could be $20-$30 per shot additionally.

Miscellaneous: $300-$350

There could be other costs as well like park passes, dog sitters, training, trips, spaying or neutering, and boarding. These miscellaneous costs could be around $300-$350 annually, and it’s a good idea to keep this amount aside.

Lifetime Xoloitzcuintli Cost

Buying or adoption cost + initial costs + one-time costs + monthly costs, multiplied by their average life span of 12 years would give us an overall lifetime cost around $20,000-$25,000. This estimation does not include the cost of medical emergencies should they happen to your pet.

Conclusion

One of the rarest and oldest dog breeds in the world, the Xoloitzcuintli, or the Mexican hairless dog is an absolute treat to have. Their super high intelligence, abundant love and affection to share, low maintenance costs, and a beautiful appearance are all present in this unique hairless Mexican dog. So go ahead and get this rare dog home!

Happy Parenting to you and Lots of Love to your Pup!