Hello, my name is Kayla Wise
I’m from a very small town in central Texas called Hico
I, like your stereotypical Texan, grew up on a ranch. I always had a deep love and understanding for all animals and my parents have always supported that. My parents had a knack for pretty much any animal trade they dipped their toes into. They raised AICA Charolais Cattle, professional horse training, raising chickens, we even raised rats and mice for several years. However the one thing that we’ve stuck with for all these years was our love for purebred, and purposefully bred dogs.
Our first breed were border collies. We raised IABCA registered working border collies for herding and sport prospects. This breed really taught us the importance of structure in any breed. If they aren’t built right, they can’t work. Border collies also gave me my love for training. Incredibly smart and easy dogs to train.
Then, when my mother decided she wanted a lap dog, we entered the world of AKC dog shows. Our first Italian greyhound came home in 2009 when I was 12 years old. Our first real show dog was from Lois March (Marchwind Italian Greyhounds) and from the moment I stepped into the show ring I was hooked.
The beginning of our love for the Xolo breed
About a year later at a show in Belton, Texas I met my very first Xolo. GCH Blanch-o’s Gran Esperanza “Taboo” owned at the time by Erin Burch. Long story short, Taboo had a questionable temperament and wouldn’t stand for judges. After a long conversation with Erin, I ended up showing Taboo for the rest of her show career. From that moment on, we had fallen head over heels for this breed. When Taboo and I got the last point that finished her championship, Erin gave Taboo to me.
This began our journey into Xolos.
We got our next Xolo from Ricardo Forastieri (Criadero Caliente). Ricardo is a wealth of knowledge on the breed and I am truly so thankful for the mentorship he’s shared and especially for giving me the chance to own my heart dog and the love of my life
RBIS BISS GCHG CH Himnotico Caliente CA CGCA
“Sancho”.
Every single dog I’ve ever bred under our kennel name goes back to this dog. We unfortunately lost him to a rattlesnake bite back in 2019, 2 days before his 7th birthday. He was an incredible xolo and my best friend. I see little parts of him every day in all of his kids, grand kids, and now, great grand kids.
Breeding
We have now been in the xolo breed for 12 years and have been breeding for a little over 10.
Me and my parents decided soon after finishing Taboo that we wanted to find a stud for her and have our first litter of Xolos. She was bred to GCHG Bayshore Giorgio Armani and from that litter came my first ever bred by Xolo champion.
Reputable breeding
I struggled very early on with a bad temperament while showing Taboo. It’s not something I would wish on anyone starting in the breed, pet or show dog. For this reason, I put a ton of emphasis on breeding good temperaments because as much as a bad temperament can be caused by lack of socialization, genetics also play a huge role.
Socialization is still definitely incredibly important but sometimes a dog is just genetically predisposed to temperament issues and all the socialization in the world can’t 100% fix genetics.
Breeders are making huge strides in the temperament department but there are still several things we all need to work on.
I think one of the biggest problems we have in Xolos is incorrect movement and lack of a solid type. Just being hairless isn’t enough, it needs to look like the standard.
There’s a saying in dog shows that goes “sound comes from the pound”
Meaning it’s relatively easy to breed a sound/well built dog, but the hardest part is breeding a sound well built dog that also conforms to a very detailed breed standard. And since our gene pool is so small it is very hard to find exactly what you want. This makes breeding Xolos a little bit extra difficult. Temperament is high up on my list when searching for a stud but even higher is type, and structure. I want a dog that oozes breed type and can float around a ring.
Another thing we need to focus on is developing breed specific DNA testing for Xolos. There are plenty of Xolos in the US and Canada and there is absolutely no reason that we shouldn’t have breed specific DNA health testing by now.
Aside from DNA testing we also CHIC certify all of our dogs. This just means that they have passed all the breed club required health testing.
Maintaining the health of this breed for future generations is so important.
Showing our dogs
Dog shows, put plainly, are meant for exhibiting breeding stock. Making sure our dogs conform close enough to the standard to be bred. However, over the years it has become so much more than that for a lot of people. Some people who show their dogs never plan on having a litter. There’s just something about competing with your dog and spending time with them that is so special. Whenever I’m in the ring it’s one on one time where I just get to focus on that specific dog and nothing else. It’s absolutely wild how strong of a bond you build with your dog while showing them. If you have ever considered getting into dog shows, DO IT! I promise you won’t regret it.
My message to prospective xolo owners
Do your research, and when you think you’ve done enough, do more. I promise you cannot know too much about this breed. You need to make 100% sure that you are fully equipped to give a xolo puppy everything it needs to be a respectful well rounded dog. They are not an easy breed but if you put in the hard work and time, they will become the best animal you have ever owned.
Also, please, for the love of all things Xolo. Find a responsible breeder.
•While a well bred dog is an investment, expensive doesn’t always mean well bred.
•Do your research.
•Ask for proof of health testing.
•Be aware of what health testing is required by the breed club.
•If at all possible, ask if you can visit the breeder and meet their dogs.
•Ask them if they title their dogs.
•Several reputable breeders have a wait list and an extensive application process. So be willing to wait for your perfect puppy.
•Be willing to look out of state.
A reputable breeder will LOVE all these questions, but a backyard breeder will not be able to provide answers. The less we support back yard breeding, the better for the breed.
The xoloitzcuintle is truly an incredible breed and they have changed my life. I never want to live without a xolo.
Xoxoxolo,
Kayla Wise
(Amayla Kennels)
Instagram: @itskaylabeth