This little vessel has been shaped into the form of a dog. It rests, slightly elevated off the ground, on four conical legs. The head rises out of the shoulder of the vessel and is minimally modeled, with the suggestion of ears and horizontally incised lines depicting the eyes and mouth. A little nub of a tail protrudes from the rear. The entire surface of the work was once covered with resist painted patterns, remnants of which are still visible. Spiral and dotted designs stand out in black against the bright orange surface of the terracotta. These patterns enhance the beauty of the work and may actually imitate the skin pattern of the hairless dogs after which this work was based. In ancient Mexico, dogs served a variety of roles. They were domesticated companions who served their masters in life. However, they were also one of the staple foods of the Western Mexican diet. Discovered inside a tomb, it is possible that this dog vessel was buried along side the deceased in order either to provide companionship throughout the afterlife or to serve as an eternal meal in the next world. Considering that this work would have once held an offering to the deceased inside, it is more likely that this was a replica of a beloved pet there to greet his master in the great beyond.