16 Fascinating Facts About The Dog Breed From "Coco" (2024)

FAQs

What is the Coco dog breed? ›

The pup of the Disney/Pixar flick was modeled after Mexico's national dog, the Xoloitzcuintli. Often called a Xolo, these hairless canines have a long history in the country that stretches all the way back to the times of the ancient Aztecs.

With a history going back more than 3,500 years, the xoloitzcuintli dog played a significant role in Precolumbian life. To the ancient Aztec and Maya, man's best friend was also a hairless, ugly-cute healer, occasional food source, and, most importantly, guide to the Underworld.

It's just the Pixar way. And here, in an adventure all his own, is Dante the Xoloitzcuintle (a.k.a. Xolo, a.k.a. Mexican hairless), canine sidekick of Coco star Miguel. The name Dante, as you might imagine, is a nod to the Italian poet and author of The Inferno.

The 3,000-year-old Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced "show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee"), the ancient Aztec dog of the gods, is today a loving companion and vigilant watchdog. The alert and loyal Xolo comes in three sizes, and in either hairless or coated varieties.

The Pixar film Coco has a charismatic, bald character: Dante, a Mexican hairless dog, or Xoloitzcuintli. This rare and ancient breed of dogs is integral to Aztec culture, but that doesn't mean you should run out and buy one.

Most recently, a silly Xolo named Dante was featured in the Pixar animated film "Coco". Lean and elegant, the Xolo comes in 3 size varieties: Standard (18” to 23” at the shoulder), Miniature (14” to 18”), and Toy (10” to 14”). While they are most commonly hairless, the Xolo can also be coated.

To the Aztecs, the association between dogs and death was embodied in the form of Xolotl, the god of fire, lightning, deformities, and death. Xolotl was often depicted as a human skeleton with the head of a dog, but any symbol of a dog could represent the fearsome deity.

The Aztecs considered the Xolo sacred, and invested them with mystical healing abilities. The breed's full name, Xoloitzcuintli, derives from the name of the Aztec god of fire and lightning, Xolotl, as well as “itzcuintli,” the Aztec word for dog. They are also referred to as “Mexican hairless dogs.”

In Aztec mythology, the dog god Xolotl is the Sunset god. He accompanies and guards the Sun into the land of Death every night.

The title refers to Miguel's great-grandmother Mamá Coco, whose father is key to the anti-music mystery. This tale unfolds in an unspecified Mexican town on the eve of El Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) as the entire community is preparing to honor their departed loved ones.

Are Xoloitzcuintli illegal? ›

The state of California itself does not have in place any laws banning dog breeds; however, regulations still exist depending on the circ*mstance.

Coco, premiered in 2017, is an animated film of a 12-year-old Mexican boy (Miguel) who dreams of being a musician.

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Responsible Breeders: If you want a Xoloitzcuintli puppy, expect to pay $2,500 - $4,000 from an ethical breeder.

One of the most rare and unique dog breeds in the world, the Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolo (“sho-lo”) for short, has been around for a very long time. Also known as the “Mexican hairless dog,” these (usually) bald, ancient beauties are revered for their calm and loyal disposition.

That dog is a Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced “show-low-eats-quint-lee”), often referred to as Xolo for short. This unique Mexican breed is immediately identifiable for its elegant, regal frame, large ears, and hairless appearance.

Coco is a dachshund-German shepherd mix and was adopted in 2010.