A perfect match between owner and breed ensures that a dog is in his or her forever home. Loving our breeds includes recognizing that it’s not for everyone. When National Purebred Dog Day^® Xolo owners were asked who shouldn’t own their breed, or, put another way, what should anyone thinking about owning the breed be aware of, Xolo owners said:

• “I find Xolos to be very demanding and always want to be the center of attention. They also can be very destructive for the first two years, and even after that if the mood strikes them. Now I know people who say their Xolos are angels and have Standards that can live in apartments — but the ones I have are REALLY not for everyone and it takes a special person to understand them. I will never forget my friend who got a Xolo. She put him in a crate in her bathroom and went to work. When she came home not only was the crate open, there was a hole in the door.”

• “They can be VERY determined escape artists…not a breed you can really keep in a low-height fenced yard for the most part. 3 of mine are climbers, the other two are pretty content to stay where they are. Most of the time it is because they are trying to be where I am.”

• “They are highly intelligent and really need training. I wouldn’t recommend them for someone who doesn’t have dog experience or access to good resources. They intelligence combined with natural agility meana that a bored dog can get into a lot of trouble. Of course, these are also the traits I love most about them so they can be very rewarding to own too.”

Image of a giant dog Xolo puppet in parade in Liverpool, Merseyside, UK