When we talk about the Peruvian Hairless Dog, we notice that it has no fur and is one of the few hairless dog breeds. With very ancient roots, this animal was already represented in artifacts found in pre-Inca archaeological sites and it was a very important dog for these ancient societies.
This curious dog breed went through times of decline with the introduction of European breeds to South America. However, it is recognized as national heritage by the Congress of the Republic of Peru.For this reason, and for its beauty and its curiosities, in this PlanèteAnimal file we are going to look into the case of the Peruvian dog so that you know how to take good care of it!
Happy reading!
Origin
- America
- Peru
FCI Nomenclature
- Group V
Physical Characteristics
- End
- Muscular
- Proportional
Size
- Little
Height
- 35-45
Adult Weight
- 3-10
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- Average
Character
- Balanced
- Society
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Affectionate
- Quiet
- Docile
Ideal for
- Children
- Apartment
- House
- Allegric people
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Hairless
Origin of the Peruvian Dog
The Peruvian dog or Viringo finds its origins in pre-Inca civilizations and we know it for sure thanks to archaeological discoveries dated 500 years BC.-VS. Mummified dogs have even been found in the tombs of nobles of the time. The Incas called it Allqu and it was also called Kaclla.
In these cultures, the Peruvian dog played different roles, but one of the most significant was that it took part in different ceremonies and rituals carried out by healers and shamans, since these animals were believed to have healing properties. Also, when one of them died, his body was used as needed. For example, their blood was considered beneficial for people with asthma and black viringos were also believed to guide the souls of the deceased on their journey to the afterlife.
With the arrival of European dogs, the breed of the Peruvian dog was gradually forgotten, but it was preserved because local peasants continued to keep them for therapeutic purposes. For example, they claimed that their contact helped fight rheumatism because they had a higher body temperature.For this reason, in addition to the consumption of their meat as food in some places or the fact that many considered their lack of hair an unsightly factor, the breed has been on the verge of extinction on several occasions. Today, however, it seems to have recovered and is gradually spreading to other continents.
Characteristics of the Peruvian Hairless Dog
The Hound of Peru is slender and elegant, it has a broad head which gets thinner as it approaches the muzzle. If we had to describe the Peruvian dog, we would have to say that his eyes are dark and round, very hypersensitive to light and his lips are thick and wrinkled. The viringo's skin is soft and supple, pink in color with or without spots.
Although some specimens may have hair on the head, limbs and at the end of the tail, it is normally a hairless dog. This is due to a recessive gene in the litter.
Another characteristic of the viringo dog is that it can be of three sizes, for both males and females, although the latter tend to be smaller than the males:
- Small size: from 4 to 8 kg and a size between 25 and 40 cm.
- Average size: 8 to 12 kg, 40 to 50 cm in height.
- Large size: 12 to 25 kg, 50 to 65 cm in height.
Peru Dog Colors
The color range of the Peruvian dog is very variable. It can be uniform or with pink spots on any part of the body, ranging from black with different shades such as slate black, elephant black, bluish black, to brown, ranging from dark blond to light blond, in passing through the whole range of greys.
Discover other breeds of hairless dogs!
Peru Dog Character
The dogs of Peru are docile, intelligent and calm animals. They tend to be trusting and affectionate with their guardians, but will be more cautious around strangers.He is a very affectionate dog with his guardians and he has no problem getting along well with children and other animals. He is a dog that adapts very well to life in an apartment and, in addition, because of his delicate skin, he must live indoors.
His role as a watchdog in the story is due to his watchful and protective nature, but that shouldn't confuse us, as he's not an aggressive animal. As with other dog breeds, the Peruvian Hairless Dog only attacks in extreme situations.
Caring for a Peruvian Hairless Dog
Because it has no hair to protect it from environmental weather conditions such as rain, sun, cold and heat, a series of precautions must be taken.
- If the Peruvian Hairless Dog is exposed to the sun's rays: you will have to put sunscreen on it, especially if you take it outside when the sun is high in the sun.
- If, on the contrary, you are going to live in a cold climate: you will have to dress your dog so that he does not catch cold! To keep his skin he althy, it is recommended to moisturize him with creams and oils approved by our veterinarian. How do I know if my dog is cold? Do not hesitate to read this article to know the answer.
On the other hand, and to continue with the basic care of this dog, you will have to walk him every day because the lack of exercise can make him anxious and stress him out. However, it is not a hyperactive animal and therefore with those few walks and indoor play sessions you will have a super he althy dog! In addition, you must also provide him with adequate and nutritious food, which promotes he althy skin and prevents obesity.
Find out everything about Anxiety in dogs!
Education of the Peruvian Dog
As they are curious and intelligent animals, it is easy to educate them, but you must pay special attention when walking. To do this, we advise you to consult the article How to walk a dog correctly. We will also have to deal with his possible problem of overprotective behavior towards his family. For this, it is essential to ensure its socialization.
Finally, as with all other breeds of dogs, we recommend that you always use positive reinforcement to educate this dog.
Find out how to properly socialize a puppy!
Peru Dog He alth
" The absence of hair in the Peruvian hairless dog, caused by a genetic defect called ectodermal hypoplasia syndrome, has a series of consequences Indeed, this dog is deprived of the protection that most dogs have against the environment, their coat.This predisposes him to various skin and respiratory diseases, but unfortunately that is not all because the strong inbreeding of the breed exposes him to suffer from different genetic conditions and diseases, the most common being those related to teeth, such as malformations or abnormal loss of teeth. They are also prone to eye problems."
When it comes to skin, these dogs are very sensitive and can suffer from sunburn, irritation and allergies. For all these reasons, he must absolutely follow a correct preventive medicine and, to do this, we recommend that you take him regularly to the veterinarian, follow his vaccination schedule and deworm him well.
How to adopt a Peruvian dog?
The fact that the Peruvian Hairless Dog is a dog of South American origin does not mean that we cannot find it in animal shelters or associations.Therefore, the best way to adopt this type of dog is to approach the various shelters to notify them of your desire to adopt this breed of dog. Don't forget that adopting a crossbred dog is also a great idea and at PlanèteAnimal we remind you that the important thing is not the breed of dog, but that you can make him happy and cover all his needs.
Photos of Peruvian Dog or Hairless Peruvian Dog
