Country of OriginPeru
Nicknames and Other NamesViringo
Peruvian Hairless Dog
Calato
Dielmatian
Perro Sin Pelo de Peru
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypePurebred
GroupSighthound
Bred ForCompanion dog, healing diseases
SizeSmall, medium and large
Recognized ByFCI, UKC, AKC
Life Span12-14 years
Ideal WeightSmall: 8.5-17.5 pounds
Medium: 17.5-26.5 pounds
Large: 26.5-55 pounds
Ideal HeightSmall: 9.75-15.75 inches
Medium: 15.75-19.75 inches
Large: 19.75-25.75 inches
Fur TypeHairless
Common ColorsBlack, Cream, Blue, Gold,
Gray, Rose, Tan, Copper, Brown,
Gray Brindle, Bronze, Red, white, Tri-colored
MarkingsGold markings, Black markings,
Cream markings, Sable, Spotted,
Tri-colored, Red markings, White markings
AvailabilityRarely available
AchievementsThe national dog of Peru
Suitable for ApartmentsYes
Used in World WarNo
Most Similar ToAmerican Hairless Terrier

The first thing you notice about Peruvian Inca Orchid is that most of them don’t have hair. They come in both hairless and coated variety which can be from the same mother.

Peruvian Inca Orchid has many names like Perro sin Pelo del Peru, Inca Hairless Dog, Peruvian Hairless Dog, and PIO. It is a medium-sized dog and is very famous in South America, some Europian countries and it is also gaining attention in the United States.

The Peruvian Inca Orchid has a sturdy and strong body with a high level of stamina. The eyes are round and tend to squint in the sunlight. The ears are stand-up, pointed with few hairs or no hair at all. Since Peruvian Inca Orchid comes in two variants; the coated have soft, silky and light course, whereas, the hairless have obviously no hair with a soft and molded skin.

Origin and History

Peruvian Inca Orchid is originated in Peru and said to have been in existence since 720 AD. They were originally a small-sized breed and when the Spanish conquered Peru, they interbred it with the bigger sized foreign dog. After that three distinct sizes were developed; small, medium and big size. They were only taken out at night due to their sensitive skin which might get a sunburn.

Peruvian Inca Orchid History
A small Peruvian Hairless Dog.
Image Source: AKC

The Kennel Club of Peru accepted the Peruvian Inca Orchid in 1985 and declare this breed a National Patrimony. The American Kennel Club accepted this breed in Miscellaneous Class since January 1, 2011, which is the last step before full recognition.

Is Peruvian Inca Orchid Child-Friendly?

Peruvian Inca Orchid is a child-friendly dog and are loving and affectionate with them and makes a great companion for kids. They are tolerant of kids and are gentle towards them.

However, Peruvian Inca Orchid is a sensitive dog due to which they are best suited for older children than a younger one. Small children tend to play rough by pulling skin which is not good for this dog breed’s skin as they are sensitive.

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality

Temperament: The temperament of Peruvian Inca Orchid is loyal, affectionate and gentle. They are lively and alert which makes them a great watchdog. They are also protective of their family and react quickly if they see any harm coming towards them. Peruvian Inca Orchid loves attention and wants to be around its people most of the time.

Behavior: Peruvian Hairless Terrier is an attention seeker which makes them do clownish behavior around people. They love to make their people laugh, so sometimes they act funnily just to see their family laugh. It can face separation anxiety if left alone for a long period of time, abandon. So, they should not be left without anyone to be around them for a long time.

Personality: Peruvian Inca Orchid has a calm personality. they are a noble, loyal and devoted towards their family which makes them an excellent family pet. They do great with a canine pet at home and are friendly towards them. however, they are suspicious of strangers and do not trust any guest in the house easily.

Trainability

Peruvian Inca Orchid is a very easy dog breed to train as they are naturally an obedient dog. They are always eager to please their owner, so they respond to positive methods of training very well.

Do not use harsh vocal and force hand towards them as they are sensitive and can be scared. Use encouraging words and reward them with delicious treats and a gentle pat on the back to motivate them. They catch commands very quickly and are smart and intelligent. So, training Peruvian Inca Orchid is not a hard job to do.

Facts

  • The hairless Peruvian Inca Orchid was only taken out at night due to their sensitive skin and the one with hair were taken out at day time.
  • Peruvian Inca Orchid is a national breed of Peru and has been protected by Peru government.
  • Peruvian Inca Orchid is considered a rare breed which is believed to be only 1000 around the world.

Health Issues

General HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesSkin Allergies, Sunburn, Skin Infection,
Dry Skin, Irritable Bowel Disease
HypoallergenicYes
Vaccination RequiredRabies, Canine Parvovirus, Leptospirosis,
Kennel Cough, Canine Coronavirus,
Canine Distemper, Canine Parainfluenza
SheddingNone to Minimal
DroolingLow Drooler
GroomingMinimal Grooming Required
Weight Gain PotentialAverage
Separation AnxietyHigh Chance
AllergiesSkin Allergies
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 23%
Fat: 8%
Lysine
Glucosamine
Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids

Peruvian Inca Orchid mostly suffers from skin diseases as they are hairless and the one with hair also have very less on the body. The diseases that they might face in their lifetime are given below:

  • Dry Skin: Peruvian Inca Orchid tend to suffer from dry skin as they do not have hair on their body that keeps them protected from the sun. To avoid dry skin, they should be bathed frequently and use a supplemental moisturizer after bathing them.
  • Irritable Bowel Disease: It is the condition where you see inflammation in the lining of the bowel. It causes stomach upset, diarrhea, and nausea. It is believed that this problem is caused by allergies, improper diet, and stress. As soon as you see these symptoms, consult a vet and start the treatment.

Colors

Peruvian Inca Orchid comes in different colors and markings, which are listed below:

  • Black
  • Blue
  • Bronze
  • Brown
  • Copper
  • Cream
  • Gold
  • Gray
  • Gray Brindle
  • Lilac
  • Red
  • Red Brindle
  • Rose
  • Tan
  • Tan Brindle
  • Tri-colored
  • White
  • Markings: Black, brown, cream, gold, gray, red, sable, spotted, tan, tri-colored, and white markings.

Puppies

Cost: The average cost of Peruvian Inca Orchid $400-$600 USD on average. However, adoption can cost less cheap than buying from a breeder. The adoption expenses cost around $300 on average.

Height and Size: Peruvian Inca Orchid comes in three sizes; small, medium and big. The height of a small dog is 10-16 inches, a medium dog is 16-20 inches and big dog is 20-26 inches. Whereas the weight of a small dog is 4-8 kg, medium dog is 9-12 kg and big dog is 12-25 kg.

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Visit Doglime for more information about dog breeds history, temperament, behavior, and training.

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