Miniature Xoloitzcuintli

Food for a Miniature Xoloitzcuintli should be high quality and suited to the dog's current age, from puppyhood through the senior years. It may come from a commercial producer or be made at home, but a home-prepared diet requires a veterinarian's supervision and approval. Clean, fresh water should always be available.

Human foods should be checked for canine safety before they are offered. Calorie consumption and body weight should be watched together. Training treats also count toward intake, and giving too many can cause obesity. Any concern about the dog's weight or diet should be discussed with a veterinarian.

Because a hairless Miniature Xoloitzcuintli has no natural skin protection, exposure to sun and adverse weather calls for extra care. When a hairless Xolo spends a long period outside, dog-formulated sunscreen can provide sun protection. Human sunscreen should be avoided, and the dog-intended formula should be free of zinc oxide and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), as ingestion of either is toxic. Regular baths belong in the hairless dog's routine, and the skin can also be wiped down with a damp cloth. If adolescent acne appears, a young hairless dog may need special skin care; hairless adults generally need little grooming.

The coated variety requires only occasional brushing. Nails should be trimmed regularly before excessive length causes discomfort, and teeth need regular home brushing or periodic veterinary cleaning.

Suitable outlets for a Miniature Xoloitzcuintli include long walks and lively games. Its general daily exercise guideline is up to one hour. For a young dog, the routine needs plenty of physical activity alongside structured play.

Obedience and agility can supply two additional forms of activity. A Miniature Xolo stays on leash on city streets and sidewalks or in an unfenced yard. A securely fenced yard can provide a setting for off-leash exercise.

A Miniature Xoloitzcuintli can learn household rules through basic obedience set within a regular daily routine. Consistency keeps the training boundaries in place.

Puppy classes provide an early training setting, but socialization continues well beyond puppyhood and throughout the dog's life. At an appropriate age, socialization should include a range of people and other animals as well as new places, objects, and sounds.