Peruvian Hairless Dog
- Origin
- Peru
- Type
- Primitive
- Height
- 25–65 cm (10–25.5 in), in three sizes
- Weight
- 4–25 kg (9–55 lb)
- Coat
- Hairless; coated dogs also occur
- Colors
- Skin chocolate-brown, elephant-gray, copper or mottled
- Status
- Recognised by the FCI; the Peruvian Inca Orchid is recognised by the AKC
The Peruvian Hairless Dog, or Perro Sin Pelo del Perú, is a hairless breed from Peru and the only living dog breed native to that country. It is recognised there as part of the national cultural heritage. Coated dogs are also born, as in other hairless breeds.
History
Hairless dogs are closely tied to the civilizations of the Andes. The breed is often thought of as an Inca dog because it was kept in the Inca Empire, where the Spanish counted it as one of six kinds of dog. It is older than that, however: it was kept as a pet by earlier cultures on Peru’s northern coast. Pottery hairless dogs made by the Chimú, Moche and Vicus cultures are well known, and the dogs appear on Moche vessels from around A.D. 750.
The dog has had many names, among them allqu in Inca times, perro calato, perro chino, perro orquídea and viringo.
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale accepted the breed and adopted an official standard. Before that, enthusiasts in the United States had developed their own type, the Peruvian Inca Orchid, which the American Kennel Club recognises. All of those dogs descend from 13 brought from Peru in the early 20th century.
Appearance
Hairlessness is the breed’s most important feature under the FCI standard. A dog may have a little short hair on the top of the head, the feet and the tip of the tail, though breeders in Peru tend to prefer dogs with none at all. The skin may be chocolate-brown, elephant-gray, copper or mottled, either a single color or with pink spots. The eyes are always brown, lighter in pale-skinned dogs. Coated dogs may be any color except merle.
The build is slim and elegant, giving an impression of strength without coarseness, and the body is as long as it is tall. The ears are shaped like a candle flame and stand erect, though they can be laid flat.
There are three sizes: small, 25–40 cm and 4–8 kg; medium, 40–50 cm and 8–12 kg; and large, 50–65 cm and 12–25 kg.
Care and health
The gene that removes the hair also affects the teeth, and hairless dogs often lack molars and premolars. The trait does not breed true. Embryos that inherit the gene from both parents do not develop, so litters average two hairless puppies for every coated one.
Facts on this page were checked against Wikipedia and may have changed since.