Summer is wonderful with a Xoloitzcuintli — but hot weather requires a little more planning.
For many Xolo owners, summer means long walks, swimming, travel, outdoor time and plenty of sunshine.
But extreme heat can become dangerous very quickly.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a hairless Xoloitzcuintli cannot overheat because there is no coat to trap heat.
This is not true.
A Xolo is still a dog, and dogs can suffer from heat exhaustion and potentially fatal heatstroke. Hairless skin may help with heat dissipation, but it does not make a dog immune to overheating. At the same time, the lack of a protective coat makes direct sun exposure and sunburn another important consideration.
Here are the main summer dangers every Xolo owner should know.
This is the most important summer danger.
Heatstroke can develop because of high temperatures, humidity, strenuous exercise, insufficient shade or water, or simply spending too much time outdoors during the hottest part of the day.
Early signs of overheating may include:
More serious signs include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, severe weakness, seizures or collapse. Heatstroke is a veterinary emergency.
Move your Xolo immediately to a cool, shaded or air-conditioned place and begin cooling while contacting a veterinary clinic.
Current veterinary first-aid guidance recommends cool/room-temperature water rather than ice water or an ice bath. Wet the dog's body, particularly areas such as the abdomen and other less-haired areas, and use airflow from a fan or air conditioning to help evaporation. Do not wrap an overheated dog tightly in a wet towel, because this can interfere with heat loss.
Offer water if the dog is able to drink, but do not force it to drink.
And most importantly:
Do not wait to see if the dog gets better. Contact a veterinarian immediately.
There is a big difference between a pleasant warm summer day and extreme heat.
When temperatures become unusually high, I would change the whole routine rather than trying to make the normal routine work.
Veterinary guidance specifically recommends avoiding strenuous exercise during peak heat and keeping dogs indoors in extreme temperatures.
Sometimes the best summer walk is simply no midday walk at all.
This is particularly important for hairless Xolos.
The skin of a hairless Xolo is exposed directly to sunlight, and prolonged UV exposure can cause sunburn.
Do not assume that because your Xolo loves lying in the sun, unlimited sunbathing is safe.
Provide:
Particularly light or depigmented areas need extra attention.
And remember: sun protection and heat protection are two different things.
A dog can avoid overheating and still get sunburned.
Water should always be available during hot weather.
For walks, trips and exhibitions, I recommend carrying water specifically for your dog rather than relying on finding water somewhere along the way.
A portable bottle or travel water container is one of those things that should simply live in your summer dog bag.
For longer trips, you can keep the water cool in an insulated bottle.
Put water in several accessible places if your dog spends time in different rooms or in the garden.
And check the bowls regularly. In very hot weather, water can become warm surprisingly quickly.
For extremely hot days, cooling products can be a useful additional tool.
Depending on your dog's needs, this can include:
A cooling vest can be especially useful for travel, outdoor events or short periods outside during extreme heat, but it should never be considered a substitute for shade, water, rest and sensible scheduling.
The goal is not to make the dog cold.
The goal is to help the dog stay comfortably cool.
If you have a garden, a small dog pool or even a large shallow basin can become one of your Xolo's favorite summer places.
Many Xolos enjoy water, although every dog is different.
The important thing is that the water is:
Never force a dog into water simply because you think it should enjoy swimming.
And never leave a dog unattended around a pool.
Summer also means mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes can transmit heartworm disease, a serious parasitic disease that can cause severe damage to the heart and lungs.
That is why summer parasite prevention should not be treated as an optional extra.
The appropriate prevention depends on your country, local parasite risks, the dog's age and health, and the product being used.
Talk to your veterinarian about an appropriate parasite-prevention program rather than choosing medication based only on advertising or recommendations from another country.
This is particularly important if you travel with your Xolo.
Summer also increases exposure to ticks, fleas and other external parasites.
After walks, especially in grass, bushes, forests and countryside, check your Xolo's body carefully.
The hairless skin actually makes visual inspection easier — use that advantage.
Check:
Keep parasite prevention up to date according to your veterinarian's recommendations.
Summer grass can hide another problem: sharp grass seeds and plant material.
They can become attached to the paws, enter between the toes or become trapped around the ears and other areas.
After walks through dry grass, check the dog carefully.
This takes only a few minutes and can prevent a much bigger problem later.
Air temperature is not the only thing that matters.
Pavement, asphalt and other hard surfaces can become extremely hot under direct sunlight.
If the ground is too hot for your own hand, it is not a good surface for a long walk.
During extreme heat, choose:
And always check the paws after walking.
Swimming can be fantastic summer enrichment for a Xolo, but not every body of water is safe.
Be careful with:
In particular, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can be dangerous to dogs. If the water looks suspicious, smells unusual or has a visible layer/scum, keep your dog away.
Fresh, clean water is always the safest option for drinking.
This deserves its own section because it remains one of the most dangerous mistakes.
Never leave your dog in a parked car.
Not for five minutes.
Not with the windows slightly open.
Not in the shade.
Not because you "will be back quickly."
The temperature inside a vehicle can rise extremely quickly, even when the weather outside does not initially seem unbearable. Dogs left in hot cars can develop life-threatening heatstroke.
If you cannot take your Xolo with you, leave the dog safely at home.
This is something I especially want Xolo owners to remember.
A Xolo may be energetic and enthusiastic about going outside even when the weather is too hot.
Do not let your dog's enthusiasm make the decision for you.
On extremely hot days, replace a long walk with:
Mental activity can be just as valuable as kilometers walked.
Before leaving the house on a hot day, ask yourself:
☑ Is it actually cool enough for this walk?
☑ Do we have enough water?
☑ Is there shade?
☑ Do we need sunscreen?
☑ Is the pavement too hot?
☑ Is the walk too long for today's temperature?
☑ Do we need a cooling vest or mat?
☑ Has parasite prevention been taken care of?
☑ Is the dog showing any signs of overheating?
And when the temperature is extreme:
Stay home.
There is no prize for completing a long walk during a heatwave.
Xoloitzcuintli are wonderfully adapted to warm climates, and their hairless skin can dissipate heat efficiently. But heat tolerance is not heat immunity.
Extreme heat, humidity, direct sun, dehydration and strenuous exercise can still become dangerous.
The best summer strategy is simple:
Water. Shade. Cool air. Shorter walks. Less exercise. Sun protection. Parasite prevention. And common sense.
And if your Xolo begins showing signs of heatstroke, treat it as an emergency: start cooling safely and contact a veterinarian immediately.
Summer should be fun for both of you.
Just remember that sometimes the smartest thing you can do for your Xolo is open the door to the air-conditioned room, put down a bowl of fresh water, and say:
"Today we're staying home."
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