[2] Ceramic sculptures of a hairless breed of dog have been found in burial sites in ancient West Mexico.

[4] In ancient times, Xolos were often sacrificed and then buried with their owners to act as guides to the soul on its journey to the underworld.

According to breed historian Norman Pelham Wright, author of The Enigma of the Xoloitzcuintli, Xolos began to turn up at Mexican dog shows in the late 1940s.

Although they were recognized as indigenous specimens of a native breed, interest in them was minimal at that time, because information was scarce and no standard existed by which to judge them.

With the official sanction of the FCI, Wright and a team of Mexican and British dog authorities set off to discover if any purebred Xolos still existed in remote areas of Mexico.

[citation needed] Eventually 10 structurally strong Xolos were found and these dogs formed the foundation of Mexico's program to revive the breed.

A committee headed by Wright authored the first official standard for the breed; on May 1, 1956, the Xolo was finally recognized in its native land and, as Mexico is a member of the FCI, worldwide.

"Chinito Junior", bred and owned by Valetska Radtke of New York City, became the breed's only AKC champion to date.

The founding members voted unanimously to recognize all three sizes (toy, miniature and standard) and both varieties (hairless and coated) at their initial meeting.

Similar in appearance to a Pharaoh Hound, with a sleek body, almond-shaped eyes, large bat-like ears, and a long neck, the Xolo is notable for its dominant trait of hairlessness.

[15] The dominant hairless trait originated in this breed as a spontaneous mutation thousands of years ago.

[failed verification] They need bathing, light grooming and skin care as with other dogs of similar physical type, or acne can result.

Most skin problems arise from poor breeding, neglect, or over-bathing and over-lotioning, stripping natural protections and clogging pores.

Xolos are depicted in some of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's paintings,[27] one of which is commemorated on the 2007 500-peso note, featuring Frida Kahlo's painting titled The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Myself, Diego, and Señor Xolotl (1949) on the reverse of the note.