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Jan 1, 1000
Crossing to the Americas
30,000 - 25,000 B.C.E.: Homo Sapiens migrate into the Americas for the first time from Asia by crossing the Bering Strait. -
Jan 1, 1050
Domestication of Dogs
15,000 - 12,000 B.C.E.: Dogs become "man's best friend"; Homo Sapiens are able to domesticate them. As a result, these animals travel beside nomads, with some naturally coming into the Americas. -
Jan 1, 1100
Appearance of the Xoloitzcuintle
1,000 B.C.E. (reportedly): According to some experts, the Xoloitzcuintle breed first emerges around this time. The Xolo is believed to be a direct descendant of the dogs that first came into the Americas alongside human beings from Asia. -
Jun 20, 1325
Founding of Tenochtitlan
The Aztecs reportedly founded their opulent capital, Tenochtitlan, during the year 1325. Researchers have found that the Xoloitzcuintle was a very important animal for the Aztecs, due to the various roles it played within their society. -
Aug 13, 1521
Fall of Tenochtitlan / Spanish Conquest
The Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, falls to Hernan Cortes's forces. This marks the epitome of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The event was important for the Xoloitzcuintle breed, as well. Being symbols of indian culture and tradition, they were exterminated as part of the campaigns. However, Xoloitzcuintles managed to retreat and find safety in certain parts of Mexico, which allowed the breed to remain alive. -
Mexicanidad
The Xoloitzcuintle, which had largely been unaccounted for throughout most of the country's modern history up until this point, is included in several artistic representations that form part of a movement to reassert Mexican culture and heritage. Famous artists that included the dog in their works include Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Rufino Tamayo. -
Fall in Popularity
With the aforementioned artistic movement waning, the Xoloitzcuintle once again becomes an ignored and unwanted animal. Population declines, and by this specific date, the American Kennel Club has de-registered the breed. -
Fundación Canófica Mexicana
The Federación Canófila Mexicana, an NGO that "promotes the activities that dogs do for men", adopts the Xoloitzcuintle as its official logo, in recognition of the significance of the breed to our heritage. The FCM heads efforts to preserve and bring the Xolo back to popularity. -
Club Tijuana
A group of businessmen, headed by Jorge Hank Rhon, found the Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles del Caliente. This is a notable event because it is one of the first associations made between the Xolo and popular culture (soccer). -
UNESCO Petition
Scientists and activists from the Patronato Xoloitzcuintle de México determine that the breed has the characteristics to be considered a national patrimony, and request the UNESCO to recognize it as such.
