Description

Also called the Peruvian Inca Orchid, Peruvian Viringo, or Chimú dog, this dog breed is native to Peru. The Peruvian Hairless has a slim, athletic build. The jaws meet in a scissor bite, and the eyes are almond shaped. The ears are dropped when the dog is relaxed, but pricked when the dog is paying attention. The curved neck leads down to a level topline, with a straight back and low-set tail. The legs are straight, and the paws have dark nails and thick pads.  

Origin: Peru

Look

As the name suggests, the Peruvian Hairless Dog is usually a bald breed, though coated dogs also exist (but are not able to enter conformation shows). Hairless dogs may have a little hair on the top of their heads, the end of their tail, and on their feet. The hairless dogs’ skin is smooth and elastic, though there are usually a few wrinkles on their heads. The coated Peruvian has short, coarse fur, and tends to have better teeth than the hairless variety. It’s common to have both hairless and coated puppies in the same litter. The Peruvian Hairless Dog comes in many colours, such as elephant-grey, chocolate-brown, mottled, brindle, light brown, or copper.  

The Peruvian Hairless is fairly easy to care for, though they are sensitive to heat and cold, and may need frequent baths, and perhaps a warm coat to wear in the winter. Be careful not to over-wash your Peruvian Hairless or to apply too many products to their skin, as this can lead to clogged pores and acne. Some Peruvian Hairless dogs are prone to blackheads and acne, whilst others are prone to dry skin. Natural products such as olive oil or coconut oil make effective moisturisers.  

Health

While the Peruvian Hairless Dog is generally healthy, they are prone to a few health conditions: 

• Dental abnormalities
• Skin problems
• Epilepsy
• Irritable Bowel Disease

At Newdoggy.com we promote reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines. Newdoggy.com’s Health Guarantee certifies that all promoted puppies are in good health.

Learning

Originally bred as a watchdog and companion, the Peruvian Hairless Dog is highly intelligent. This breed is very happy to learn all sorts of new tricks. That said, this is not a dog for beginners. The Peruvian Hairless is often challenging to train. Although you may need to be persistent and firm, be sure to encourage your Peruvian Hairless and praise them for good behaviour. This breed is sensitive, and does not respond well to harsh treatment.  

Temperament

The Peruvian Hairless has been kept as a companion dog since the time of the Incan Empire, as well as a watch dog. As befits a companion animal, this breed is very affectionate with family (usually bonding more closely to a particular member of the household), but tends to be suspicious of strangers. It is important to take the time to properly socialise and train this breed.   

Living with

The Peruvian Hairless Dog is an energetic breed and needs plenty of activity. These dogs will appreciate a variety of activities, from playing in the garden to walks in the park. Due to their intelligence, the Peruvian Hairless can easily become bored and develop behavioural problems. You can avoid this by providing physical and mental stimulation, including puzzle toys and teaching new tricks. 

Peruvian Hairless Dogs are loyal and devoted to their family, though they usually have a favourite person that they gravitate towards. They are prone to separation anxiety and hate to be left alone for long periods of time. Although the Peruvian Hairless may become irritated by small children, they are good companions for older children. The Peruvian Hairless is agile, and loves to hunt, so should not be kept with small pets such as rodents. They can live with other dogs, and sometimes with cats (if they have grown up with them). 

As they are sensitive to hot and cold, Peruvian Hairless Dogs should live indoors, though they will appreciate access to a garden or yard. If you live in a very hot or cold climate, it may be worth investing in an air conditioner to beat the heat, and a dog-coat for cold weather. On hot days, avoid going on walks during the heat of the day.