Peruvian Hairless Dog
About the Peruvian Hairless Dog
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 10-26" |
| Weight | 8-55 lbs |
| Coat Type | Hairless |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
30 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Peruvian Hairless Dogs may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Apartment Living
- Allergy Sufferers
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your Peruvian Hairless Dog
The story behind the Peruvian Hairless Dog
Hairless dogs have a long history along the Peruvian coast, appearing in pottery and other artefacts of pre-Columbian cultures, which indicates their presence in the region for many centuries before European contact. They were kept as companions and were associated with ritual and, in some accounts, with healing practices, valued for the warmth of their bare skin. The arrival of European dogs after the sixteenth century reduced the population, and the breed survived mainly in rural coastal and Andean areas. Peruvian enthusiasts and authorities worked to record and protect it in the twentieth century, and Peru has recognised it as part of the national cultural heritage. The FCI recognises the breed in three size varieties, and the AKC lists it in its Foundation Stock Service. It remains uncommon internationally.
Originally bred for: Companion dog, Ritual and cultural dog, Household pet. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Peruvian Hairless Dog
Feed a balanced complete diet sized to the variety, in two meals, with enough quality fat to support skin condition. Missing teeth in hairless individuals can make hard kibble awkward, so texture should suit the individual dog. Cold weather modestly raises energy needs.
Watch for: No confirmed breed-wide allergy has been identified, though skin problems are frequent in hairless dogs and owners often suspect diet. Sun damage, hygiene and follicle issues explain most cases. A veterinarian should evaluate persistent skin complaints before an elimination diet is attempted.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Peruvian Hairless Dog
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.