Xolo Dog

                                                                                                                                                             Canine Chronicle

The Xolo Dog (pronounced sholo) is a domesticated canine bred from a native Nejiroan canid species, the Xolotl, named in honor of a dog headed Aztec kami of fire and lightning. They have sleek bodies that radiate heat with almond shaped eyes, large bat like ears, and a long neck. They may weigh as much as twenty three kilograms and grow to sixty seven centimeters. They are notable for their dominant trait of hairlessness, but there is also a coated variety with a short, flat, dense coat of mostly bluish gray or black coats, similar to their wild antecedents, who have slightly coarser and fuller coats with short crests on their heads and tails. Xolo dogs convey an impression of strength, agility, and elegance. Their skin is often marked, splashed, or spotted and their most common colors are black, grey, bronze, blonde, blue, and red. Xolo dogs have a primitive temperament, with very high intelligence, sensitivity, energy, and inquisitiveness, with strong hunting and social instincts. They are prized as both companions and guard dogs. The Xolo have a sturdy physical nature, vigorous health, and a calm demeanor in mature dogs. Puppies can be extremely energetic, noisy, and very oral until maturity after two years. The Xolo is a social dog that should not be an only dog, in the wild the Xolotl live in large multi-generational family groups. Xolo dogs are popular NPO Officers, and are a common addition to the Sugai Yoroi patrols and guard stations. They are also common place additions to Public Safety and Emergency Services throughout the Eastern Desert. Xolo dogs are a very familiar and common sight in the camps of the Badawi, who first domesticated them. Hilo, Baja, and Silverbridge have all declared both the Xolo and Xolotl a cultural heritage, and as such they have a prominent role in cultural celebrations such as The June Bloom street festivals that celebrate the acceptance by Parliament of the city Charters and the laying of the city foundations on the summer solstice. There are many stories and statues of Benito, a Xolo hunting dog of Delm Francisco Sugai, of whom the legends say led his master to what would be the place the central foundations of the city of Hilo would eventually be built.