Day of the Dead animals

Xoloitzcuintli: the dog who guides souls on the Day of the Dead

The Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolo, is Mexico’s ancient hairless dog. Its name joins Xólotl, the Aztec god who led the dead through the underworld, with itzcuintli, dog. In Mexica belief a dog helped each soul cross the river on the way to Mictlán, the land of the dead, which is why a Xolo figure often sits on a Día de Muertos altar, and why many families honor their own pets on October 27.

What Xoloitzcuintli means

Name: Xoloitzcuintli (also spelled Xoloitzcuintle), “Xolo” for short. Also called the Mexican hairless dog.
Say it: show-low-eets-KWEENT-lee
Meaning: From Nahuatl: Xólotl, the god, + itzcuintli, dog. Roughly “Xólotl’s dog”.
Sizes: Toy, miniature and standard, from about 10 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder.
Coats: Hairless (the best known) and coated, often in the same litter.
Lifespan: Usually 13 to 18 years.

Xólotl was the Aztec god of lightning, fire and the evening star, the twin of Quetzalcóatl, and he was often shown with the head of a dog. He went down to the underworld with the setting sun each night, so he became the guide of souls. The dog that bears his name inherited that job.

The dog who guides souls to Mictlán

In Mexica (Aztec) belief, most people who died went to Mictlán, the underworld ruled by Mictlantecuhtli. The journey took four years and crossed nine levels. One of the first and hardest obstacles was a wide river. A dog waited on the bank to carry the soul across on its back.

The story adds a detail people still repeat: the dog would only help someone who had been kind to dogs in life. For that reason, dogs were sometimes buried with their owners, and clay dog figures were placed in tombs. The plump clay dogs of ancient western Mexico, best known from Colima, are among the most famous examples.

Mexico’s Secretaría de Cultura still describes the Xolo as a guardian of life after death.

The Xolo on a Day of the Dead altar

On a family ofrenda, a small Xolo figure, painting or papier-mâché dog is a way of asking for safe passage for the people being remembered. On a pet’s altar it means even more: the dog who guides souls is guiding one of its own.

Where to put it: near the photo, facing the path of marigold petals that leads to the altar.
What to use: a clay or wooden figure, a printed picture, or a painted alebrije-style Xolo. Anything works; it is the meaning that counts.
When: set the altar up by October 27, the day pets are said to arrive, and keep it until November 2.

Step-by-step guides: how to make a pet ofrenda, an ofrenda for a dog and for a cat.

October 27 may soon be the Xolo’s own day too. On April 15, 2026, Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies voted 433 to 0 to declare October 27 the National Day of the Xoloitzcuintle, linking it to the day deceased animals are honored. The proposal went to the Senate. Mexico City already named the breed a cultural heritage and symbol of the city in 2016.

Dante from Coco

Dante, the goofy street dog in Pixar’s Coco (2017), is a Xoloitzcuintli. He follows Miguel into the Land of the Dead and, by the end of the film, is revealed as a spirit guide, glowing in the bright colors of an alebrije. It is a playful nod to the old story: the Xolo is the dog who knows the way between the worlds. Read more about alebrijes and other Day of the Dead animals.

The breed today

The Xolo nearly disappeared in the early 20th century and was rebuilt by Mexican breeders from dogs in rural villages. Today it is recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and the American Kennel Club, and it is often called Mexico’s national dog.

Temperament: calm, alert and loyal, usually reserved with strangers. A natural watchdog.
Hairless care: the skin needs sunscreen in strong sun, a sweater in the cold, and regular gentle washing. Hairless Xolos often have missing teeth, which is normal for the breed.
Health: generally hardy; most live 13 to 18 years.

Frequently asked questions

What does Xoloitzcuintli mean?

It comes from Nahuatl: Xólotl, the Aztec god who guided souls through the underworld, and itzcuintli, dog. It is often translated as “dog of Xólotl”.

Why is the Xolo linked to the Day of the Dead?

In Mexica belief a dog carried the souls of the dead across the river on the way to Mictlán. Día de Muertos grew partly from those older traditions, so the Xolo is seen as a guide for the dead and often appears on ofrendas.

What kind of dog is Dante in Coco?

A Xoloitzcuintli. In the film he turns out to be a spirit guide, shown as a glowing alebrije.

Is the Xoloitzcuintli an Aztec dog?

Yes. The Aztecs, and older cultures of western Mexico before them, kept the breed, and clay dog figures found in ancient tombs are thought to show its ancestors.

How long do Xolos live?

Usually 13 to 18 years. They come in toy, miniature and standard sizes, in hairless and coated varieties.

Is October 27 the Day of the Xoloitzcuintli?

October 27 is the day pets are remembered during Día de Muertos. Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies voted in April 2026 to also make it the National Day of the Xoloitzcuintle; the proposal was sent to the Senate.