Dog Breeds That Start with X: Meet the Xoloitzcuintli and Xiasi Dog
October 11, 2026
Dog breeds that start with X are almost a myth in the purebred world — only two exist, and one of them has fewer than 300 living representatives left on the planet. That scarcity makes X the shortest entry on any A-to-Z dog breed list, but the Xoloitzcuintli and the Xiasi Dog both carry outsized history for their small numbers.
The Xoloitzcuintli traces its roots to Aztec Mexico and comes in hairless and coated varieties across three sizes, including some striking black-coated dogs. The Xiasi Dog, by contrast, is a Chinese hunting breed so rare that most American dog owners have never heard its name. Below is what actually separates these two breeds, from ancient companionship to a working dog now fighting to survive in southern China.
1. Xoloitzcuintli
The Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced roughly “show-low-eats-queen-tlee”) is one of the oldest dog breeds recorded in the Americas. According to the American Kennel Club, the 3,000-year-old Xoloitzcuintli, the ancient Aztec dog of the gods, is today a loving companion and vigilant watchdog. Some researchers push the timeline back even further: skulls of dogs resembling the Mexican hairless and dating back 3,300 years have been found in Mexico.
Aztec mythology ties the breed directly to the god Xolotl, from which the nickname “Xolo” comes. As a psychopomp, Xolotl would guide the dead on their journey to Mictlān in Aztec myths, and his two spirit animal forms are the xoloitzcuintle breed of dog and the aquatic salamander species known as the axolotl. Dog remains and sculptures found in Aztec burial sites suggest the breed accompanied its owners into the afterlife as much as through daily life.
Physically, the Xolo comes in three official sizes and two coat types. The alert and loyal Xolo comes in three sizes, and in either hairless or coated varieties. The breed occurs in a range of sizes, which breeders have standardized into three designations: Standard, Miniature and Toy. The Mexican hairless has a compact head with alert, upright bat ears, and other than a tuft of coarse hair on its skull, the Mexican hairless is indeed hairless.
Color varies more than most people expect from a hairless dog. According to Wikipedia’s breed profile, the most common colors are various shades termed black, grey, bronze, yellowish-blonde, blue and red. This mix of bare skin and true black pigmentation gives the Xolo unusual black dog breed characteristics you won’t find in a coated dog, since there’s no fur to fade or bleach in the sun.
Because the breed spans toy, miniature, and standard sizes, a black-coated Xolo can land on either end of the spectrum. A toy-sized black Xolo fits comfortably alongside other small black dog breeds, while the standard version belongs in conversations about large black dog breeds instead. For anyone comparing popular black dog breeds, the Xoloitzcuintli is an unusual entry next to typical black dog breeds for families like Labradors or Newfoundlands, mainly because it sheds no hair at all.
Like every domestic dog, the Xoloitzcuintli belongs to the species Canis lupus familiaris, but its lack of a heavy coat changes the care routine entirely — skin maintenance replaces brushing as the main grooming task.
Pro Tip: Hairless Xolos need sunscreen on exposed skin during long outdoor walks and a light, non-oily lotion after bathing to prevent dryness and acne breakouts.
Temperament-wise, the Xolo is more reserved than its striking looks might suggest. They are often reserved and wary of strangers, but should never be timid or aggressive, and Xolos generally bond strongly with their owners, though they will not be as affectionate with strangers. They are vigilant and can be wary of strangers, which makes them excellent watchdogs. Wikipedia sums up the baseline personality simply: the Xoloitzcuintle has a calm and attentive temperament.
Families considering the breed should note that they make good companions for families with older children who know how to interact respectfully with animals. Early socialization matters more than most new owners expect, since a Xolo’s default setting around strangers is caution rather than instant friendliness.
The Xolo is also frequently mixed up with another hairless dog entirely. The Xoloitzcuintli is a rare and ancient breed and is sometimes mistakenly confused with the Chinese crested, another hairless dog, but except for the hairlessness, the two breeds are quite distinct. If you want to see the differences for yourself, the Chinese Crested is a smaller, more delicate breed with its own temperament quirks. Another hairless cousin worth a look is the Peruvian Inca Orchid, which shares similar skin-care needs but has a completely separate South American history.
On the health side, the average Xoloitzcuintli lifespan is 13–18 years. Young Xolos can develop acne, but they typically outgrow it as they mature. Regular bathing, light grooming, and basic skin care are necessary, as neglect can lead to acne or other skin problems. Climate matters too: originating in tropical regions, the breed is unsuited to living outdoors in colder temperate climates, and is best regarded as an indoor dog.
2. Xiasi Dog
The Xiasi Dog is the far less familiar of the two X breeds, and for good reason — it barely exists outside one province in southern China. The Xiasi Dog is a breed of tugou named after the village of Xiasi, Guizhou Province in China, where it has been raised by the Miao people for thousands of years. Historically bred as a hunting dog and watchdog, the Xiasi Dog is prized today for bringing wealth to the family.
Folklore surrounds the breed’s original name. According to Chinese folklore, the Xiasi dog was originally called the White Dragon dog (白龙犬, Bái lóng quǎn). During the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, a governor was gifted one of the dogs during a visit to Xiasi, Guizhou, and upon his return to the capital, the governor took the dog boar hunting with the Qianlong Emperor. The dog’s performance on that hunt is credited with cementing the breed’s reputation at the imperial court.
According to Wisdom Panel, the build is practical rather than flashy: the Xiasi Hound is a medium-sized dog with a large head, muscular body, and long legs, and a wiry coat is one of its most recognizable features. It comes in three coat lengths — short, medium, and long — and is either white or cream-colored, with a broad, short muzzle, small triangular erect ears, and a pale pink nose. Sizing details vary slightly by source, but most breed profiles put males at roughly 46 to 50 centimeters tall and 16 to 20 kilograms, with females slightly smaller in both height and weight.
Temperament reports on the Xiasi are consistently positive. The Xiasi Hound is a loyal, adaptable breed that makes a versatile hunting companion and affectionate pet, and these dogs are eager to please their people and love tagging along on family outings. They are excellent hunters, loyal and obedient to their human companions, and friendly with strangers.
Because the Xiasi developed as a boar-hunting and guard dog in mountainous terrain, it shares a working background with several other Asian breeds. Neighboring regions of China produced the Shar-Pei, another native guardian breed, while Thailand’s Thai Ridgeback and Japan’s Kai Ken fill comparable hunting roles in their own countries.
The breed’s biggest challenge isn’t temperament or health — it’s survival. According to Wikipedia, the breed is critically endangered with low genetic diversity and an estimate of only 270 purebred Xiasi left. A separate count found similar numbers: the breed population was in decline during the 20th century, and a 1999 survey found only 271 purebred dogs, with conservation efforts underway since then, first by the Bureau of Animal Husbandry of Guizhou Province and later by the Xiasi Dog Breed Conservation Development and Utilization Project. The breed is also not recognized by any major kennel club, which keeps it almost entirely off the radar outside China.
Important Note: The Xiasi Dog is not available through breeders or shelters in the United States. Its entire population lives in and around Guizhou Province, China, and conservation programs there are focused on preventing extinction rather than exporting puppies.
Side by side, the differences between these two X breeds are dramatic, from where they come from to how many of them are left in the world.
| Trait | Xoloitzcuintli | Xiasi Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Mexico | Guizhou Province, China |
| Historical Role | Aztec companion and healer dog | Boar-hunting and guard dog |
| Size | Toy, Miniature, or Standard | Medium (roughly 46–50 cm, 16–20 kg) |
| Coat | Hairless or coated | Short wiry coat |
| Common Colors | Black, grey, bronze, blonde, blue, red | White or cream |
| Kennel Club Recognition | Yes (AKC, FCI) | Not recognized by any major club |
| Population Status | Stable, growing in popularity | Critically endangered (roughly 270 purebred) |
Anyone searching for dog breeds that start with X will keep landing on these same two names, and that isn’t likely to change any time soon — no new X breeds are working their way through kennel club recognition. Between the two, the Xoloitzcuintli is realistically the one a US household could actually bring home, while the Xiasi Dog remains a fascinating piece of Chinese canine history that most people will only ever read about.
If the hunt for unusual breeds isn’t over, the alphabet keeps going in both directions. Round out an A-to-Z search with dog breeds that start with Y or finish the list entirely with dog breeds that start with Z.