Behold the xoloitzcuintle.

Visual History of the Xoloitzcuintle

  • Crossing to the Americas
    Jan 1, 1000

    Crossing to the Americas

    30,000 - 25,000 B.C.E.: Homo Sapiens migrate into the Americas for the first time from Asia by crossing the Bering Strait.
  • Domestication of Dogs
    Jan 1, 1050

    Domestication of Dogs

    15,000 - 12,000 B.C.E.: Dogs become "man's best friend"; Homo Sapiens are able to domesticate them. As a result, these animals travel beside nomads, with some naturally coming into the Americas.
  • Appearance of the Xoloitzcuintle
    Jan 1, 1100

    Appearance of the Xoloitzcuintle

    1,000 B.C.E. (reportedly): According to some experts, the Xoloitzcuintle breed first emerges around this time. The Xolo is believed to be a direct descendant of the dogs that first came into the Americas alongside human beings from Asia.
  • Founding of Tenochtitlan
    Jun 20, 1325

    Founding of Tenochtitlan

    The Aztecs reportedly founded their opulent capital, Tenochtitlan, during the year 1325. Researchers have found that the Xoloitzcuintle was a very important animal for the Aztecs, due to the various roles it played within their society.
  • Fall of Tenochtitlan / Spanish Conquest
    Aug 13, 1521

    Fall of Tenochtitlan / Spanish Conquest

    The Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, falls to Hernan Cortes's forces. This marks the epitome of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The event was important for the Xoloitzcuintle breed, as well. Being symbols of indian culture and tradition, they were exterminated as part of the campaigns. However, Xoloitzcuintles managed to retreat and find safety in certain parts of Mexico, which allowed the breed to remain alive.
  • Mexicanidad

    Mexicanidad

    The Xoloitzcuintle, which had largely been unaccounted for throughout most of the country's modern history up until this point, is included in several artistic representations that form part of a movement to reassert Mexican culture and heritage. Famous artists that included the dog in their works include Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Rufino Tamayo.
  • Fall in Popularity

    Fall in Popularity

    With the aforementioned artistic movement waning, the Xoloitzcuintle once again becomes an ignored and unwanted animal. Population declines, and by this specific date, the American Kennel Club has de-registered the breed.
  • Fundación Canófica Mexicana

    Fundación Canófica Mexicana

    The Federación Canófila Mexicana, an NGO that "promotes the activities that dogs do for men", adopts the Xoloitzcuintle as its official logo, in recognition of the significance of the breed to our heritage. The FCM heads efforts to preserve and bring the Xolo back to popularity.
  • Club Tijuana

    Club Tijuana

    A group of businessmen, headed by Jorge Hank Rhon, found the Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles del Caliente. This is a notable event because it is one of the first associations made between the Xolo and popular culture (soccer).
  • UNESCO Petition

    UNESCO Petition

    Scientists and activists from the Patronato Xoloitzcuintle de México determine that the breed has the characteristics to be considered a national patrimony, and request the UNESCO to recognize it as such.