Solstice Xolos
- Felts Mills, NY
- Responds within a few days
Upcoming litters
Planned Xoloitzcuintli litter
Due May 2026
Meet the breeder
I'm Arik E., the breeder behind Solstice Xolos located in Felts Mills, NY. Solstice Xolos is run by Arik Engstrom. I am a preservation breeder- I breed to maintain the breed and help ensure that people can always enjoy the company of these marvelous dogs. I prove my dogs by showing in AKC and UKC conformation events, as well as performance sports.
Q. & A. with Arik
Why did you start breeding?
I didn't have any interest in breeding until I truly fell in love with my breed, and became aware of the distinct lack of ethical breeders who are health testing and taking temperament seriously. I wanted to help place well bred, healthy, stable xolos in homes so that people can enjoy these marvelous dogs as much as I do, and to keep them part of the home for generations to come.What makes your program special?
As a professional trainer, I have resources available to me to ensure that puppies are getting the best start possible. Not only do I keep puppies back during critical socialization period to make sure they are appropriately socialized, I also start them on basic obedience training to give their owners a head-start, instead of starting from scratch.What are the different breed sizes in your program?
Our puppies include miniature and standard sizes. Sizes will vary depending on the parent dogs.What are the different breed coat types in your program?
Our puppies include hairless and coated coat varieties. Coat types may vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Tuca
Went homeFemale
Typhoon
Went homeMale
Maelstrom
Went homeMale
Volcano
Went homeMale
Haboob
Went homeFemale
Tsunami
Went homeFemale
Getting a puppy from Arik
Arik has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Arik partners with buyers to find the best match as the puppies develop and their personalities take shape. Typically, matches are finalized when the puppies reach about 7 weeks old.
"Puppy matching is based on the information I've gathered from each interested potential owner that tells me what they're looking for in a dog, what their family and lifestyle is like, and what activities they're interested in. I place puppies very, very carefully after a temperament and structural evaluation and do my best to match each temperament to the home that will be the best fit for them. At no point are families allowed to pick their puppy based on a photo or anything like that. I will take color preference into account, and I do take male vs female seriously as it can dramatically impact family dynamics if there are other dogs in the home. "
Price
"Pricing includes AKC registration (full or limited, same price), regular deworming, age-appropriate vaccines, and a start on foundations of obedience. Price does not include transportation. Deposits are only accepted once the litter is on the ground. If we do not have a puppy that is suitable for your home, then we will roll the deposit over to a future litter."
Contract & health guarantee
Arik may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Arik offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Arik directly.
What's included
From Good Dog
- Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
- 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
- Puppy Training Program & private community
Enrichment & socialization
- Various sounds
- Car rides
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized with children
- Socialized in new places
- Scent introduction
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
- Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
- Microchip
Extras
- AKC registration
- Initial potty training
- Puppy starter kit
- Toys
- Food & treats
- Basic obedience & manners
- Registration
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Arik.
Breeder's location
Meet in Felts Mills, NY
3778 miles away
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Other pick-up locations
Meet at Syracuse Hancock Airport
3832 miles away
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More about Arik
Club memberships
Arik is a member of Xoloitzcuintli Club of America .
Certifications & recognitions
Professional Dog Trainer.
Arik has been a member of Good Dog for over 2 years
Arik was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2023.
Arik is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Solstice Xolos meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Litter and program updates
Arik E.
Program update on 15 Mar •…Taika recovered remarkably well from raising her litter, and after many discussions with my vet we have decided to do a back to back breeding before she is spayed this fall. So, Taika has been bred to Amayla's Strutting in My Birthday Suit, aka Vermy. We find out April 13th for sure if the breeding took via ultrasound. Expecting black and sable (bronze) standard puppies, of course both coated and hairless. I'll post more updates as it progresses and becomes clear whether Taika is pregnant or not.
Arik E.
Litter update on 09 Oct 2025 •…Can you believe the puppies are already 5 weeks old?! They continue to develop right on track, gaining in size, coordination, and confidence! Soon we'll start doing car rides and short visits to safe locations from the security of a basket to keep up with their socialization protocol! A lot more videos and updates are available on my Facebook page (Solstice Xolos) if you want to keep up with the litter! Temperament evaluations are in 2 weeks, conformation evaluation in 3 weeks, and that's when I make decisions on placements, so stay tuned!
Prismo and Taika's litter
Arik E.
Litter update on 19 Sept 2025 •…Two weeks old! Everyone now weighs at least a pound, all eyes are open, and three of five can hear as of this morning! All puppies are taking an interest in the goat milk and wet food smoothies I make for Taika, and Typhoon, Haboob, and Maelstrom have sampled it eagerly this morning! Today was the last day of doing ENS, and now I am moving on to exposure exercises - presenting the puppies with a new experience each day. This can be a brand new bed, adding a new type of toy/object for them to investigate, letting them tumble around on the floor outside of the whelping box, etc. I've completed a good number of interviews and have a decent idea of what each approved home is looking for. It's a waiting game for everyone now!
Prismo and Taika's litter
Arik E.
Litter update on 09 Sept 2025 •…Puppies are nearly a week old now! I am reaching out to interested parties about scheduling interviews in the coming weeks. If you're interested in this litter and want to schedule an interview, please reach out to me so we can discuss that.
Prismo and Taika's litter
Arik E.
Litter update on 04 Sept 2025 •…It was a very long 12 hours, but last night we welcomed five absolutely beautiful and unique babies into the world! In order of birth: 1. Typhoon, black hairless boy 2. Maelstrom, bronze hairless boy 3. Haboob, sable and white coated girl 4. Tsunami, black and white hairless girl 5. Volcano, black and white coated boy When the puppies are 3 weeks old and I know everyone is gaining and growing as they should be, I'll start reaching out to everyone to conduct official interviews. We won't know until 8 weeks of age how the puppies will be matched, so please be patient as the answer to "is one mine?" right now is going to be a solid "I don't know." For now we just watch them grow and help them thrive.
Prismo and Taika's litter
Arik E.
Litter update on 31 Aug 2025 •…Taika is feeling rather large lately! We are now officially on puppy watch, as we're expecting her to whelp within the week. If you are interested in a puppy from this litter, I suggest touching base now just to let me know you'd like to be interviewed for consideration of this litter.
Prismo and Taika's litter
Arik E.
Litter update on 25 Aug 2025 •…We now can confirm that Taika is carrying 4-5 puppies! They're due the end of next week, so we're keeping fingers and toes crossed for a safe, normal whelping. Replies will be very slow during this time, but as the puppies get older I will be reaching out to conduct interviews!
Prismo and Taika's litter
Arik E.
Program update on 17 Aug 2025 •Three weeks left! X-ray is in about a week now, which will give us a better idea of numbers!
Arik E.
Program update on 12 Aug 2025 •…Momma Taika is certainly getting quite large, but we still have just under 4 weeks to go before it's actually time for her to evict the little beasts! Her x-ray to get a more accurate puppy count is August 25th, and I couldn't be more excited! We'll see if the four we saw in the ultrasound are the only four, or if we have some more hiding in there. In the meantime, Taika's appetite has dramatically increased, she's taking a lot of naps, getting a load of massages and extra fussing, and I'm just waiting on one more thing to complete my whelping supplies check list. Then we'll be all ready!
Arik E.
Litter update on 06 Aug 2025 •…I am absolutely thrilled to announce that the breeding successfully took and the ultrasound confirmed at least four puppies! Reminder that I will not be reaching out to conduct any interviews until the puppies are around 3 weeks of age and stable.
Prismo and Taika's litter
Parent dogs
Nadja, mom
Xoloitzcuintli
About Nadja
Nadja is an exceptionally social Xolo, eager to meet new people and give them kisses. She's a high drive dog, and the fastest of my pack. Very eager to run, jump, and play. She's a beautiful miniature xolo, with graceful, correct movement. Currently has a 4 pt major, and we're continuing to pursue a champion title.
Good health testing
Patellar Luxation.Taika, mom
Xoloitzcuintli
About Taika
Taika is my foundation dog, and means everything to me. She has the ideal Xolo temperament, being approachable by strangers and willing to interact, but just as eager to ignore them and focus on me instead. She is my main breed ambassador, accompanying me to most dog events, as well as my life saver as my Service Dog. Everyone who meets her is quick to fall in love, and for good reason. She is the dog who got me interested not just in professional training, but in dog sports, showing, and breeding.
Excellent health testing
Patellar Luxation, Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA), +4 more.
Parent health testing
Miniature Xoloitzcuintli
Standard Xoloitzcuintli
Excellent level
Solstice Xolos reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Miniature Xoloitzcuintli.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Patellar Luxation
Knee testing reduces the chance of passing down Patellar Luxation, which results in the kneecap becoming displaced or dislocated and can cause mild to severe joint pain.
Thyroid (Autoimmune Thyroiditis, registered with OFA)
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
DNA Disease Panel
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
