An ancient Mexican breed, the Xolo, which is short for Xoloitzcuintli, is making its debut this week at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York City's Madison Square Garden. The Xolo is usually hairless although the one you see above has some whiskers. It also has bat-like ears. A Xolo is a prized breed with a history dating to Aztec times. According to this story about Chabella, the Xolo competing at the show (which is not the Xolo in the video), the breed takes its name from Xolotl, the Aztec god of lightning and death. The dog was believed to accompany people upon their deaths to the afterworld.

The Xolo (pronounced 'sholo') is one of six new breeds making a debut at the dog show. The others are American English Coonhound, Cesky terrier, Entlebucher mountain dog, Finnish lapphund, and Norwegian lundehund.