FAQ
Do you currently have Xoloitzcuintle puppies for sale?
We only aim to breed occasionally, i.e., every 2-4 years. We are planning on breeding Nora in 2027/28.
Lilah, who was bred by our kennel but who lives with another breeder, was mated in September. If she is pregnant, she will be due at the end of October. You can find out how to reach out to her breeder on our litters page.
How much does a Xoloitzcuintle puppy cost in Australia?
Prices differ from breeder to breeder. Worldwide, Xolos are typically sold for around $3,000.00. Our hairless puppies will be $2,500.00 and our coated puppies $500.00. Coated puppies are less simply due to demand.
Making a profit from a litter is rare, especially when imported semen costs around $10,000 and imported dogs cost around $25,000. Breeders of Xolos are typically breeding simply for the love and preservation of the breed - it's a project or love, not profit. In our foundation litter, we stopped counting the costs at $20,000 and that didn't include the imported dog that sired the litter or the 2 months off work to raise the litter.
Where can I find Xoloitzcuintle puppies in Australia?
There are only a handful of breeders in Australia; you can generally find them all listed at Dogzonline, and listings are separated into sizes i.e., mini, intermediate, and standard.
Do you have adult Xoloitzcuintles available?
No, we do not. We currently only own Nora, our future dam, and her sire, Belmont. Dogzonline does list adult dogs for all breeds, and occasionally you may come across a returned dog, a dog not suitable for a breeding program, or a retired breeder looking for a new home.
How do I join your puppy waiting list?
We do not maintain a wait list, but we do maintain a contact list, which will notify you of upcoming litters - please shoot us an email.
What should I look for when choosing a Xolo breeder?
With only a handful of breeders in Australia, it is likely you will need to be patient and wait. We recommend selecting a breeder that represents a person who you personally connect with, that you enjoy communicating with, because this will be your support person for the rest of your dog's life.
In the perfect world, we believe these are important considerations:
-
Meeting the dam of the litter before she gives birth. Sires aren't always available i.e., they may be overseas, but if they're local, absolutely meet them too.
-
Health testing that includes: Hips & Elbows, Heart & Eyes as a minimum. These tests are specialised tests that come with certificates; they are not general Vet visits. The breeder should be able to show you these certificates.
-
A breeder that does some sort of puppy development, including socialisation before they go home.
-
Doesn't over-extend themselves with the number of dogs they keep, so all the dogs are getting a high level of care, enrichment and adventures.
-
If you're looking for a show dog then generally you'll want to select a breeder who shows and can confidently select a show quality dog for you.
-
If you want a sports dog, then someone who understands the traits and personality required for the sport you're wanting to do.
-
Someone who will take your dog back if your situation changes or will help facilitate their rehoming
Are you a registered breeder?
Yes, we are registered with Dogs Australia under the kennel name: Amasa Kennels - Sacha Packer. Our state's controlling body is Dogs NSW and you are able to confirm our membership (2100048378) with them.
Our Government NSW breeder identification number is: B001096806.
How puppies are raised?
In our home, we do not have kennels. We sleep with the litter for a minimum of 4 weeks and are with them around the clock to minimise accidents and ensure the litter and Mum are getting everything they need. After 4 weeks, they move to their weaning area which is a larger area in our home, so they have more space to play and grow. At around 5 weeks, they start spending some time outdoors during the day. From 4 weeks, we start implementing a puppy-raising program to help them be the best versions of themselves.
How are our breeding dogs kept?
As loved and adored companions, typically found on the couch or sunbathing in the front yard. Our dogs have inside-outside access through a doggie door. Our dogs are walked twice a day and are often having a ball at dog sports on the weekends. We welcome you to join our friendly and supportive Facebook group to see photos and videos of how our dogs live and the blessed lives they have.
Do we show our dogs?
Yes, our breeding dogs are titled in the conformation ring. They will continue to be shown until the time that they show that it no longer sparks joy. Showing is pretty boring, and when our dogs have been exposed to dog sports, running around a show ring isn't the kind of adventure they tend to crave.
Watch Nora show here under international judges as well as provide judges education for trainee international judges.
Watch Belmont show here, winning Best in Group and another video here the day he gained his Australian Championship.
Do we breed for the show ring or for sports?
Both, combined. A show dog should be physically and mentally sound enough to participate successfully and safely in dog sports. We personally love dog sports, and so do our dogs, so we seek out activities that each individual dog genuinely enjoys and offer them that enrichment throughout their lives.
We believe dogs should retain the ability to fulfil the purposes for which they were originally developed. Xolos were versatile village dogs that guarded, hunted, provided warmth and lived closely alongside their people.
For us, form and function go hand in hand and remain at the heart of our breeding program.
Are Xolos good Service Dogs?
No, they are not. Even talented service dog trainers overseas who have worked with Xolos say they are not suitable. The ones that make it are often referred to as unicorns of the breed.
The Xolo is a very smart and trainable dog without a doubt, but that is not combined with biddability. A Xolo wants to work with you, not for you and they want to do things that benefit them.
Are Xolos good Emotional Support Dogs?
It depends on the level of emotional support you need and what behaviours and emotions the dog is exposed to. The Xolo is sensitive to your emotions and behaviour, so if you rely on the dog for your own emotional wellbeing, that might be too much for the dog.
For a Xolo to be at their best, they need a solid leader that has a good a handle on their emotions.
Are hairless dogs hard to maintain?
No, they have survived the wild for thousands of years without humans fussing over their skin.
We can give them, and ourselves, nicer experiences with their skin by washing them in a gentle shampoo when dirty, exfoliating when rough, and moisturising when dry. Less is more with the Hairless; harsh chemicals and over-exfoliating can damage their skin barrier.
Yes, the hairless variety can experience things like blackheads/folicle blockages, allergic reactions, interdigital cysts, boils etc., but these are by no way common or frequent in most dogs - you may never experience them.
What if you have allergies?
Xolos are not hypoallergenic, but people do report being less affected by them. We can arrange a visit or have some fabric rubbed on them to test your allergies.
What are they like with small animals?
Xolos were originally used as hunting dogs, and they may still have prey drive, which means they may chase small animals and livestock. Plenty of Xolos live with Cats; supervision and management are important.
If you own hens/livestock then they must be protected from being chased with a suitable fence.
Can Xolos be offlead?
Absolutely! With training, of course! Xolos love and benefit from stretching their legs offlead. Our Xolos run in the bush every day.
What are Xolos like to train?
They're different in the sense they like to work with you not for you. They're super smart and very trainable but they lack biddability - they must see the value in what you are asking. They are, however, master manipulators, so if you're not careful, they'll trick you into thinking they need a treat every time.
Our dogs are competitive sports dogs in both skilled sports and non-skilled sports - I believe the key is to find out what they value and use that, and don't be cheap; pay them their worth - if they don't see the value, then they don't see the point.
Don't do too many reps with them; they think that's annoying and pointless. No more "one more time" - it's the fastest way to annoy them, and they won't want to participate.
Short training sessions that include fun & joy are the best.
If you decide to strong-arm them and put them through very compliance-oriented training ongoing, you're going to get pushback and/or a poor attitude. You may end up with a dog that does what you say with little joy or motivation. This isn't to say they can't take a correction; they can, but be fair and just.
Don't be passive with them. You must be firm, fair & consistent - that does not mean being physical or mean; it just means being a good parent who leads vs tries to be their best friend. This is not the breed to practice gentle parenting on; they will walk all over you and run your house.
Train the dog in front of you vs. one-size-fits-all training methods. Do not be hesitant or embarrassed to get in a trainer if you're struggling with something; getting guidance when you're stuck is a very positive thing! We will help you as much as we can, but there will be times when we suggest an in-person trainer for the best outcomes.
Teenage Xolos can be jerks just like teenage humans.
Are they good with kids?
No breed is born to be good with kids, not even Labradors - in fact, Labs appear in the top 5 of bites because people can be complacent with them and not teach them or children boundaries around each other.
Whether a dog is good with kids is usually related to their socialiation and experience with them.
What are they like with strangers?
Every Xolo is an individual with their own unique temperament and personality that has been formed by genetics and experiences.
Xolos are commonly aloof toward strangers, which basically means they're not interested in strangers, do not wish to interact with strangers, and do not want affection from strangers.
Our own dogs and the dogs from our foundation litter can be quite social sometimes and complete snobs at other times - I guess it just depends on how they vibe with that person. We do not force our dogs to interact with strangers and will advocate for our dogs when people try to interact with them without asking.
If a stranger tries too hard to be friends with our dogs, they will often completely ignore them. We find it's better if people just ignore them and then they'll approach on their own terms. Xolos may want to sniff strangers but not be touched by them.
Aloof and scared are two very different things. If a Xolo is showing a fear response (often young dogs) to a stranger, then we must advocate for them.
Once a person becomes part of their village, then they're often very playful and friendly - you can watch a video here of our dogs at a scent work trial with people they know.
What sports do they like?
All sorts!
I don't know any Xolo that doesn't like SprintDog, which is where they chase a lure/be recalled for 100m. Many also enjoy Lure Pursuit, where they chase a lure through a paddock for up to 900m.
Xolos can really enjoy Scent work because of the independent nature of the work. Whilst it requires teamwork, the dog leads the way in most cases. Our dogs compete at the Masters and Ultimate level. You can watch a video here of Nora doing scent work.
Our dogs have also competed in Agility, Tricks and Rally Obedience. It would take a more biddable and motivated Xolo to excel in formal obedience - it's not a sport that you'll find that many Xolos anywhere in the world, but when you do see them, it's a special sight.
We encourage all our puppy families to participate in a sport because it's great for enrichment, training, socialisation and relationship building.
A sport should bring out the best in your dog - some prey-driven sports, such as SprintDog and Lure Pursuit, can heighten their prey drive and arousal, so if a sport doesn't bring out the best in your dog, we recommend transitioning to something more suitable for your dog, such as scent work, which is fun but not greatly arousing.
You can watch one of the coated Xolos (Ranger) we bred run in Lure Pursuit here.
You can watch Nora do Tricks Starter level here.
You can watch one of our coated Xolos (Cara) we bred run in SprintDog here.
Lot's more videos of all sorts of things with our Xolos can be found here.
Do they come desexed?
No, traditionally desexing a baby puppy is not healthy for them in the long term. We are happy to send puppies home with an ovary-sparing spay or vasectomy instead, which keeps their hormones intact for growth and health but does not allow them to reproduce.
Any unsterilised puppies will be co-owned with us until they are sterilised.
What health testing do we do?
We go above and beyond in the effort to breed healthy dogs; however, not all health conditions have tests, so in those cases, we have to rely on the breeders before us to inform us of any health conditions that may be passed on. When using external sires, including those overseas, we endeavour to match the same level of testing or as close to it as possible.
We conduct:
-
Hip & Elbow X-rays that are sent away to be scored
-
Eye certification, which is conducted by a specialist, and a certificate is issued
-
Heart certification, which is conducted by a specialist, and a certificate is issued
-
Genetic DNA test looking at diseases there are genetic tests for
-
Full Blood panel including Thyroid
-
Titer testing in place of over-vaccinating
-
Temperament testing
We do not provide health guarantees, because it is impossible to predict the future health of a dog, just like it is for a human. We recommend all puppy families be in a financial position to have pet insurance for accidents, illness, and breed-related realities.
Do you need to tape your puppy's ears?
That depends on your goals. Pet puppies that are not intended for the show ring do not need continued ear taping. Some hairless puppies’ ears will stand naturally.
For hairless puppies, ear taping is usually complete by around four months of age. For coated puppies, it is often closer to five months, as they are heavier. Taping is not painful, and no surgery is involved. The tape simply supports the developing cartilage during growth.
What are your expectations of puppy families
First of all, be honest with us in the screening phase so we can make sure a Xolo is the right fit for you, because it will be incredibly detrimental to the dog if you return to us because you did not research enough, don't have the right environment, or simply were not prepared.
We expect that you'll take our advice.
We expect that you have heavily researched this breed and really dug into why you want a primitive dog. You should clearly understand all the pros and cons of a Xolo.
We ask that you stay in touch with us. In the first year, you may need a bit of support. Once you feel like you're all sorted, we won't pester you for updates, but please touch base with us annually to let us know how your Xolo is going, any health/temperament challenges, and just what they've been up to in general - you can never send us too many updates.
If you ever need to rehome your Xolo, we get the first right of refusal. We will either take your dog back or help you rehome them - understand that a poorly trained and poorly socialised Xolo may not be suitable for rehoming, so it is vital you put every effort into your Xolo - I say to people....if you pass away, is your dog rehomable in terms of training & socialisation - if the answer is no, then you have some work to do.
We expect you to have the time and physical capability to take your Xolo out every single day, if not twice a day, for a minimum 30-minute walk.
We expect you to put a lot of time and effort into training and socialising your Xolo - when people see your Xolo out and about, they should be putting their best foot forward. If you struggle with a training issue, our expectation is that you'll get onto this asap vs letting a behavioural issue linger and get worse - we expect that you'll have the funds to work with a trainer for as many sessions as needed. We can give you advice, but in the end, we're not professional trainers.
We expect that you'll join a dog sports club, whether that be obedience, scent work, agility, flyball etc. Clubs are a great way to train and socialise your dog and build a bond with your dog.
We expect you to feed the highest quality diet you can afford and that you can afford to feed a quality diet.
We expect you to be super strict on nail maintenance; they must be done 1-2 times per week, otherwise they can become talons and may be near impossible to receade. We train our puppies to accept the nail grinder, but if for any reason you cannot do this yourself, you'll need to get someone else to do it weekly. We never tackle Xolos to have their nails done, this shows a lack of discipline. If you're local to us, we're more than happy to do them for you.
If you get involved in the Xolo communities online or in person, i.e., meet-ups, dog shows, dog sports, etc, we expect you to represent our kennel well with your words and actions.
Do we sell to show homes?
It depends on your history and reputation with your current and previous dogs. If you have a history of sending dogs back, then it's unlikely we will place a dog with you. If you plan to kennel the dog rather than have them in your home, it is unlikely we will place a dog with you. We only want good people on our team who will represent our kennel well. We will background check you with the show community.
What is bidability & how does it relate to Xolos?
Biddability describes a dog’s natural willingness to cooperate with its handler, accept direction, and do what is asked.
It is important not to confuse biddability with intelligence or trainability:
• An intelligent dog may learn very quickly.
• A trainable dog can successfully be taught behaviours.
• A biddable dog is naturally inclined to cooperate and do what its handler asks.
A Xolo can be highly intelligent and learn a behaviour within only a few repetitions, yet still decide there is no worthwhile reason to perform it. That makes the dog intelligent and capable of being trained, but not necessarily highly biddable.
Xolos are primitive, independently minded dogs. Historically, they performed varied roles around villages rather than being selectively bred for generations to follow constant human direction, as many herding and retrieving breeds were.
Individual Xolos can certainly be cooperative and highly successful in dog sports, but high biddability is not generally considered a defining characteristic of the breed.
Training a Xolo is about discovering what motivates that individual dog and making the work interesting, rewarding, and worthwhile. They are very capable learners, but they are not robots bred to obey every instruction simply because it was given.