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Breed Characteristics
1 paw - breed exhibits the least amount of this characteristic
5 paws - breed exhibits most amount of this characteristic
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Peruvian Hairless Dog
| Other Names | Perro Sin Pelo de Perú, Inca Hairless Dog, Viringo, Peruvian Inca Orchid, Dielmatian, Perro Flora, Al'co Calato, Inca Hairless Dog |
| Nicknames | PIO, Moonflower Dog |
| Country of Origin | Peru |
| Weight | Small: 9 – 18 lbs. (4 – 8 kg) Medium: 18 – 26 lbs. (8 – 12 kg) Large: 26 – 55 lbs. (12 – 25 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Small: 10 – 16 in. (25 – 40 cm) Medium: 16 – 20 in. (40 – 50 cm) Large: 20 – 26 inches (50 – 65 cm) |
| Coat | Hair grows on the top of the head but are hairless aside from that. Some are born coated with hair in the same litter as the hairless PIO. The skin is soft and pliable. |
| Colour | It can be heavily mottled in any colour, in any combination with a pink background, or it can be solid coloured. |
| Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 11 - 13 years |
| Origin & History | This is an ancient breed. Although it is often perceived to be an Incan dog because it is known to have been kept during the Inca Empire, they were also kept as pets in pre-Inca cultures from the Peruvian coastal zone. Ceramic hairless dogs from the Chimú, Moche, and Vicus culture are well known. Depictions of Peruvian hairless dogs appear around 750 A.D. on Moche ceramic vessels and continue in later Andean ceramic traditions. The main area of the Inca Empire (the mountains) is too cold for the natural existence of the dogs. The Spanish conquest of Peru nearly caused the extinction of the breed. The dogs survived in rural areas, where the people believed that they held a mystical value. In recent years, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) accepted the breed and adopted an official breed standard. Before that time, in the United States, some enthusiasts created another type of Peruvian hairless dog, the Peruvian Inca Orchid. The Peruvian Inca Orchid is recognized by the AKC. The club UKC also recognized the breed in recent years. |
| Personality | For the right owner the Peruvian Inca Orchid is an exotic treat. Its skin requires special care (see grooming). Quick witted, calm and intelligent, it is usually good with children and gets along with other dogs. |
Care Requirements
| Health | The genes that cause hairlessness also result in the breed often having fewer teeth than other breeds, mostly lacking molars and premolars. Some are born with more dentition than others. One theory is that the hairlessness trait is a dominant double lethal gene, which means that homozygotic hairlessness does not exist. This results in an average birthrate of 2:1, hairless : coated. According to Hans Räber "Enzyklopädie der Rassehunde" T.I 25% of the population is born coated. While they are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) for its Foundation Stock Service as Peruvian Orchid dogs, they cannot be shown at AKC shows, they are also registerable with FCI, UKC, NKC,APRI, ACR. Some breeders think that interbreeding with coated (Peruvian) dogs is required to maintain functional teeth and nervous system health in subsequent generations. They say that breeding of hairless with hairless (and common but unacknowledged culling of hairy pups from litters to maintain a "pure" image) leads to short-lived dogs with serious health problems. However, other breeders (especially in Peru) think the opposite, and are doing well (for centuries already), too. Like all breeds there are some health problems. These include IBD, seizures, stroke, and skin lesions. They are very sensitive to toxins and care should be taken in use of insecticides. Insecticides are absorbed through the skin, and body fat keeps these toxins from entering the liver too quickly. Since these dogs have very low body fat, toxins are absorbed too quickly and cause severe damage to the nervous system and GI tract. |
| Grooming | The fact that this breed does not have hair does not mean that its skin requires no care. The skin must be protected as much as possible from the sun. A good sunscreen should be used if the dog is going to be out in the sun. People who show these dogs scrub them regularly to remove dead skin and keep the skin soft by using special exfoliating creams intended for use by humans. If you do not plan to show your PIO and the dog is in a normal environment, it is best to not soften the skin as it makes the skin tear more easily. It is most important to keep the skin supple and smooth and to prevent it from becoming dry. Using a lotion or cream or, sometimes, rubbing it with oil is recommended. Bathe these dogs regularly with a gentle soap. The fragile skin is susceptible to sunburn, drying irritation and tears from other dogs, cats and objects. This is a very clean breed with no doggie odor and no fleas. The hairless PIO is ideal for allergy sufferers because there is no hair to shed. The coated variety has hair all over the body and does shed, but not much coat care is required. Regular brushing is required. |
| Exercise | This breed needs to be taken on a daily walk. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. If under-exercised, this breed can become nervous and anxious. |
| Other Considerations | The PIO will do OK in an apartment. A fenced-in yard is recommended as the PIO is a sighthound and may take off chasing a small animal at any time. This breed should live indoors and be protected from the elements. The PIO sunburns very quickly. It should have a sweater in the winter and be kept at a comfortable temperature in the summer. Keep in mind this breed does not have hair to protect it from the weather and is basically naked. |
