Peruvian Hairless Dog

Also known as: Viringo, Peruvian Inca Orchid

The Peruvian Hairless Dog lived along Peru's coast well before the Inca empire, appearing in Moche and Chimu pottery and artwork spanning several thousand years. Local communities valued the dogs as a heat source at night, often sleeping with one in bed because of their unusually warm skin. A coated variant exists too, but the hairless type remains better known, with skin that can be any color and often carries dark blotches. A hairless dog needs sun protection and warmth in cold weather, since it lacks a coat to buffer temperature swings. A male weighs up to 25 kilograms, and the breed comes in three size variants, from small to large. Life expectancy runs 11 to 12 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Peruvian Hairless Dog: how old in human years?

40–65 cmHeight
4–25 kgWeight
11–12 yrsLife expectancy

Thai Ridgeback

FCI group: Spitz and Nordic/Ancient-type Dogs
FCI section: Section 6: Primitive type
FCI: 310
Country of origin: Peru

Energy level

3/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 40–65 cm

Females 40–60 cm

Weight

Males 4–25 kg

Females 4–23 kg

Life expectancy

11–12 yrs

Coat

hairless (also a coated variety) (hairless)

Temperament & Family Life

Peruvian Hairless Dog's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 2/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Peruvian Hairless Dog's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 3/5
Exercise need 3/5
Apartment friendly 3/5
Prey drive 3/5
Hunting instinct 2/5

Guarding & Alertness

Peruvian Hairless Dog's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 4/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Peruvian Hairless Dog's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 1/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Peruvian Hairless Dog

On the sofa it is a living hot-water bottle: this ancient dog from Peru is warm to the touch and happily presses its warmest side against you. The Peruvian Hairless Dog comes in several sizes, from small companions of a few kilos to tall, rangy dogs, so find out how big yours will grow before you choose.

Its energy is moderate: daily walks and some play keep it content, and indoors it is calm, so a flat works as long as it is warm. It is clever and learns willingly when lessons are short and friendly. A fence around the garden is useful, because a running cat or hare can catch its interest.

With its own family it is affectionate and gentle; with strangers it is reserved and alert, announcing every visitor and in no hurry to lean into unfamiliar hands. It doesn't always make friends with other dogs straight away, so start introductions calmly and early. If you want a quiet, elegant, warm companion that leaves no hair on your clothes, this may well be the dog, just don't forget to buy it a coat.

Grooming and coat

Stroke this dog and your palm finds warm, smooth skin instead of fur. The Peruvian Hairless Dog barely sheds and needs no brushing; you look after skin instead. Wash it now and then with a mild shampoo and wipe off the dust with a damp cloth, and give any tufts of hair on the head, feet or tail tip an occasional comb. If yours is from the coated variety, which the breed also has, a short coat like that only needs the odd brush.

Bare skin has no protection from the weather, so that becomes your job. In summer, don't let your dog lie out in strong sun for long, and a light T-shirt suits a pale-skinned one; a Lithuanian winter calls for a warm, snug-fitting coat, and November rain for a waterproof one too. When you wash or wipe it down, check the skin for scratches, sunburn or redness, and show any you find to a vet.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (25 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 215 g of dry food a day, from €11,71 a month For a neutered, normally active 14 kg dog. Calculate for your dog