Westminster Dog Show: Introducing The Xoloitzcuintli

NPR | By Ammad Omar,

Doriane Raiman, Bridget DeChagas

Published February 13, 2012 at 4:37 PM EST

It's that time of year — where hair dryers, treadmills and lush hotel rooms aren't reserved for us Homo sapiens, but for our canine best friends. The 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is off and running this week at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Organizers say it's one of the oldest sporting events in the country, second only to the Kentucky Derby.

1 of 7 — Stewart, a Yorkshire terrier, relaxes in his hotel room after checking in at the Affinia Manhattan Hotel.

Stewart, a Yorkshire terrier, relaxes in his hotel room after checking in at the Affinia Manhattan Hotel.

Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images

2 of 7 — Four of the six new breeds in this year's competition cross 7th Avenue as they arrive in New York in January for a news conference.

Four of the six new breeds in this year's competition cross 7th Avenue as they arrive in New York in January for a news conference.

Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images

3 of 7 — Dazzle, a 2-year-old papillon, is groomed and pampered at the Green Room Salon and Spa at the Pennsylvania Hotel.

Dazzle, a 2-year-old papillon, is groomed and pampered at the Green Room Salon and Spa at the Pennsylvania Hotel.

Mary Altaffer / AP

4 of 7 — After a grooming session, a standard poodle patiently waits for the show to begin.

After a grooming session, a standard poodle patiently waits for the show to begin.

Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images

5 of 7 — Jenna, a 4-year-old Great Dane from Japan, relieves herself in the outdoor facilities of the Affinia hotel's Spot Suite.

Jenna, a 4-year-old Great Dane from Japan, relieves herself in the outdoor facilities of the Affinia hotel's Spot Suite.

Mary Altaffer / AP

6 of 7 — Elvis, a 4-year-old bearded collie, works out on a dog treadmill at the Pennsylvania Hotel. Show-dog owners make sure their dogs are in top shape before competing.

Elvis, a 4-year-old bearded collie, works out on a dog treadmill at the Pennsylvania Hotel. Show-dog owners make sure their dogs are in top shape before competing.

Mary Altaffer / AP

7 of 7 — A Maltese rests in the staging area during some off-time.

A Maltese rests in the staging area during some off-time.

Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images

There are 2,000 top dogs in competition this year, but there is one breed garnering much of the spotlight. The xoloitzcuintli, pronounced Shoh-loh-eets-kweent-lee, is one of six new breeds debuting in this year's competition. It is the national dog of Mexico and is perhaps best known for being hairless. The xolo (short for xoloitzcuintli) comes in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard.

The xoloitzcuintli is one of the world's oldest breeds and can be traced to pre-Columbian times. It has been highly regarded, as the Aztecs believed it had healing abilities and warded off evil spirits.

Amy Fernandez, a xoloitzcuintli expert and breeder, describes its demeanor as "a real dog kind of dog. They have very strong instincts." They are also protective and bond closely with their owners, she says.

After nearly 30 years of advocating for inclusion in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Fernandez is thrilled the xoloitzcuintli has been included this year, saying the acknowledgement will make it easier to get support for healthy breeding.