GROUP 7 - NON SPORTING

Brief History
This breed was introduced to Peru during the Chinese immigration. Others supposedly came from the African continent through the intermediary of nomads who arrived in America accompanied by their hairless dogs or the migration of men and their dogs from Asia to America through the Bering Strait. Appearing on ceramics of different pre-Inca civilisations, in many cases the hairless dog has replaced the Puma, the snake or the falcon.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 11 to 12 years. 

Temperament
Noble and affectionate at home with those close to him, at the same time lively and alert; he might be wary of strangers and is a good watch dog.

General Breed Description
There are three sizes to the Peruvian Hairless Dog. This is an elegant and slim dog, whose look expresses speed, strength and harmony, without ever appearing coarse. There are two varieties, the hairless whose main feature is the absence of hair all over the body and the coated variety, that is entirely coated. Dentition in the hairless variety is nearly always incomplete associated with the congenital alopecia. The colour of the skin in the hairless variety can vary from black, slate black, elephant black, bluish black, the whole scale of greys (diluted black), all nuances of genetic blue, dark brown going to light blond. All colours can be either uniform or show pinkish or white patches on all parts of the body. White or pink spots must not cover more than 1/3 of the body. Solid colours are preferred.

Coat and Care requirements
To keep your Peruvian Hairless clean, baby cleaners are a good choice provided that they do not contain lanolin. Some dogs are prone to have acne or at least blackheads. The skin sometimes becomes too dry and can then be treated with moisturising cream. Again, baby lotion without lanolin is a good product choice to soften and moisturise cleansed skin. The dogs themselves seem to prefer olive, vegetable or coconut oil, possibly because of the perfumes and other chemicals found in commercial moisturising creams. Protection against sunlight is recommended on lightly coloured dogs. Sunblock or other methods are beneficial to prevent sunburn. Protection against cold is necessary, however, sensitivity to cold may vary from dog to dog. Smaller dogs seem to be more sensitive to the cold than their larger counterparts. The rims of the ears sometimes need special attention as they can become dry and cracked.

Size
SMALL:
Height: 25 to 40cms (9¾ to 15¾ins), Weight: 4 to 8kg (8.8 to 17.6lbs).

MEDIUM:
Height: 40 to 50cms (15¾ to 19¾ins), Weight: 8 to 12kg (17.6 to 26.4lbs).

LARGE:
Height: 50 to 65cms (19¾ to 25¾ins), Weight: 12 to 25kg (26.4 to 55.1lbs)

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders in is recommended you enquire about breed health and what health testing the breeder does. The Peruvian Hairless Dog is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include being very susceptible to toxins.

Suitability
Suited to many different owners and lifestyles. The hairless variety requires additional skin care. The breed requires a good amount of regular exercise.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard:

Large:  https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/100 

Medium:  https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/101 

Small:  https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/102