Xoloitzcuintli Prices in 2024: Purchase Cost, Vet Bills, and More!

Can you name a stronger and prouder breed than the Xoloitzcuintli? The Xoloitzcuintli, nicknamed the Xolo for short, is an ancient breed of dog that originates from Mexico. People love this breed for their sharp intelligence, calm temperament, unwavering loyalty, and puppy-like playfulness. If you’re interested in purchasing a Xolo puppy in 2024, allow this guide to help you budget. Here are all the expenses you’ll likely incur during your first year of Xoloitzcuintli puppy ownership.

How Much Does a Xoloitzcuintli Puppy Cost?

Although pronouncing a name like “Xoloitzcuintli” might be intimidating for some, this ancient name is actually quite simple to say. It sounds like “sho-low-eets-queent-lee.” This breed has been around for over 3,000 years and throughout this time it has gained a loyal following. Despite this, the Xolo is still considered a rare breed, and getting your hands on a puppy might be challenging. Because of their scarcity and popularity, prices can range from $1,500 all the way up to $4,000. Your location and the pedigree of the Xolo are primary influences on cost. Individuals living in an area with easy access to breeders will find lower prices, whereas people living in rural areas will likely have to pay more. Never buy Xolo puppies that are suspiciously cheap. This is often an indicator that they’ve come from a puppy mill where genetic disease runs rampant.

Other Factors That Influence the Purchase Price of a Xoloitzcuintli

Although location and pedigree are strong influences on the final purchase price of Xoloitzcuintli puppies, other factors play a role in the cost as well. One major component that often gets overlooked when determining cost is the reputation of the breeder. Breeders who have been in business for a long time and have strong reputations charge more for their services. However, this increased price also comes with peace of mind. These dogs are much more likely to be ethically bred, healthy, and treated with care.

Xoloitzcuintli dogs are desired due to their razor-sharp senses and strong protection instincts. Many say that this breed makes the perfect watchdog, and we couldn’t agree more. Any training that puppies receive to help them fulfill this role will undoubtedly raise the price higher as well.

Cost of Vaccination and Other Medical Expenses for Xoloitzcuintlis

As with any dog breed, it’s important to take your puppy in for an initial health screening shortly after bringing them home. Some breeders require you to do this as part of their health guarantee agreement. This appointment will cost about $75, and during this time, you can have your Xolo vaccinated if they aren’t yet. The first set of shots will cost roughly $100, and any set of booster shots needed after this point will cost an additional $40.

You can elect to get your Xoloitzcuintli microchipped as well, which is invaluable for highly active breeds like the Xolo. Although these dogs are highly trainable and unlikely to engage in dangerous or erratic behavior, they are bursting with energy when they are young. Because of this, your Xolo might become too excited and accidentally run too far from home. If they become lost, anyone who finds them can bring them to the veterinarian to get their chip scanned. This chip will contain your contact information, making it easy to reunite the two of you. The microchipping procedure is quick and easy and only costs about $50.

Cost of Food and Supplies for Xoloitzcuintlis

There are three sizes of Xoloitzcuintli: toy, miniature, and standard. Depending on size, their weight will vary slightly, and so will their dietary needs. For most Xolos, their weight will fall somewhere between 10 and 50 pounds. According to petMD, dogs of this size will need to eat between 3/4 cups and two 2/3 cups of food per day. This will come out to about $25 to $75 worth of dry food per month. Wet food, treats, raw diets, and prescription diets will drive this price much higher. Depending on brand, amounts, and type of food, the monthly cost of feeding your Xolo can rise to over $200.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Xoloitzcuintli

Although many reputable breeders will offer a health guarantee on their puppies, this period of coverage won’t last forever. The average time owners are covered by their breeder is around three years. At this point, purchasing pet insurance can serve as a wonderful contingency plan. Even though you might think “My dog is very healthy! I don’t need pet insurance,” it’s important to keep in mind that medical emergencies can be unpredictable. Because Xolos are so strong, it’s easy for them to hide their pain. By the time you catch wind that something is amiss medically, their condition might have progressed. Pet insurance starts at as little as $20 per month.

How Much Does It Cost to Train a Xoloitzcuintli

The Xolo is a breed with several great qualities. These dogs have strong, athletic bodies, sharp minds, and unwavering loyalty to their families. These factors combine to create one of the most highly trainable breeds out there. While many Xolo owners find that training them at home comes with ease, others elect to bring them to professional dog trainers instead. This is a great option for those who want their Xolo to learn specialized skills or individuals who spend a lot of time working. Each session can cost between $40 and $75. Owners should bring their Xolo to one class per week for about a year to ensure that they’re fully trained. Most Xolos are incredibly well-behaved and have a wide vocabulary of commands and words.

Final Thoughts

Whether you intend to raise your Xolo as a guard dog or just a cute couch potato, this breed will give their whole heart to you, as long as you do the same! Xoloitzcuintlis get along well with other animals and children, and if socialized early on in life, they can be welcoming of strangers too. With so many pros and so few cons, it’s easy to see why the Xolo is in such high demand.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © TatyanaPanova/Shutterstock.com