Peruvian Hairless Dog

Brief historical overview

According to some experts, this breed was brought to Peru during the wave of Chinese immigration, shortly after Peruvian President Don Ramón Castilla enacted the law abolishing slavery. Other researchers believe the breed originated from the African continent and was brought by nomads.

Another explanation suggests that people, along with their dogs, arrived via the Bering Strait from Asia to the Americas. In addition to these theories, there is evidence in the form of depictions on pottery from various pre-Inca civilizations (Vicus, Mochica, Chancay, Chancay influenced by Tiahuanacoide, and Chimu).

In many cases, the hairless dog replaced symbols like the puma, snake, or falcon, particularly in the Chancay culture. These depictions suggest that the hairless dog appeared during the archaeological period known as the pre-Inca era, between 300 BCE and 1400 CE.

Cranial region

• Skull: Of medium proportions, orthoid (the upper lines of the skull and muzzle are parallel), slight divergence is acceptable. When viewed from above, the skull is broad and tapers towards the muzzle. The zygomatic arches are moderately developed, and the occipital protuberance is barely noticeable.

• Stop: Slightly marked (approximately 140°).

Facial region

• Nose: The color must harmonize with the skin tone.

• Muzzle: When viewed from the side, the upper line is straight.

• Lips: As tight as possible, fitting closely to the gums.

• Jaws/teeth: Incisors form a scissor bite, and the canines are normally developed. The absence of one or all premolars or molars is acceptable. The lower jaw is slightly developed.

• Cheeks: Normally developed.

Eyes: An alert and intelligent expression. Medium-sized, slightly almond-shaped, neither sunken nor protruding. They should be positioned normally and evenly, neither too close together nor too far apart. The color should harmonize with the skin, ranging from black through all shades of brown to yellow. Both eyes must be the same color. Eyelids may range from black to pink in dogs with light-colored faces. Light colors and pink are permissible but not desirable.

Ears: When the dog is alert, the ears should be erect; at rest, they fold backward. They are medium in length, broad at the base, tapering to a nearly pointed tip. They are set high on the skull and slant slightly outward. When erect, their axes form a variable angle of approximately 90°.

Neck

• Topline: Arched (convex).

• Length: Equal to the length of the head.

• Shape: Almost like a truncated cone, flexible and well-muscled.

• Skin: Thin, smooth, and elastic, fitting well without a dewlap.

Body:

Of medium proportions.

• Topline: Straight, though some individuals may have a convex arch in the back/loin area that levels out at the croup.

• Withers: Slightly pronounced.

• Back: Straight topline, with well-developed muscles often forming a convex shape on both sides up to the loin.

• Loin: Strong and muscular, with a length approximately 1/5 of the height at the withers.

• Croup: Slightly convex topline, sloping about 40° to the horizontal, with a strong and muscular structure ensuring good propulsion from the hindquarters.

• Chest: When viewed from the front, sufficiently but not excessively broad, reaching almost to the elbows. The ribs are slightly arched, never flat. The circumference behind the ribs should be about 18% greater than the height at the withers.

• Underline and belly: The underline forms an elegant, well-defined curve rising from the lower chest to a well-tucked but not overly tight belly.

Tail: Low set, thick at the base and tapering towards the tip. When excited, the dog may raise the tail above the topline but should not curl it. At rest, the tail drops and forms a gentle upward curve at the tip. Sometimes the dog tucks it under the belly. The tail nearly reaches the hocks and must not be docked.

Limbs

• Forequarters: Limbs are well-positioned under the body. When viewed from the front, they are perfectly straight, with elbows not turned out. The shoulder and upper arm form an angle of about 100–120°. From the side, the angle between the forearm and the vertical is 15–20°.

• Forefeet: Medium-sized, hare-shaped, with strong pads resistant to heat. The skin between the toes is well-developed. Black dogs should have black nails, while lighter dogs may have light nails.

• Hindquarters: Muscles are rounded and flexible, with a prominent curve of the thigh muscles. The hip–thigh angle is 120–130°, and the thigh–stifle angle is 140°. When viewed from behind, the hind limbs are vertical. Dewclaws are removed.

• Hind feet: Similar to the forefeet.

Gait: Due to the described angulation and limb structure, these dogs move with a rather short but quick stride that is also supple and smooth.

Skin: Smooth and elastic over the entire body. On the head, around the eyes, and on the cheeks, it may form rounded, almost concentric lines. It has been observed that the internal and external temperature of the hairless dog matches that of other breeds. The lack of hair leads to immediate heat dissipation, whereas coated breeds dissipate heat through natural air exchange.

Coat

• Hair: To justify the name “hairless,” the coat must be absent. However, remnants of hair on the head, extremities, and tail, as well as occasional hairs on the back, are allowed.

• Color: Varies from black, slate, elephant gray, blue-black, and all shades of gray to brown, ranging from dark to light blonde. All colors may appear solid or combined with pink spots anywhere on the body.

Size and weight

• Height at the withers: For males and females, three sizes are recognized:

  • Small: 25–40 cm (9 3/4–15 3/4 inches)

  • Medium: 40–50 cm (15 3/4–19 3/4 inches)

  • Large: 50–65 cm (19 3/4–25 3/4 inches)

• Weight: Proportional to size:

  • Small: 4–8 kg (8.8–17.6 lbs)

  • Medium: 8–12 kg (17.6–26.4 lbs)

  • Large: 12–25 kg (26.4–55.1 lbs)

Faults: Any deviation from the described points should be considered a fault, with severity proportional to the degree of deviation.

• Semi-erect ears

• Dewclaws on hind limbs

Disqualifying faults:

• Overshot or undershot bite

• Misaligned jaw

• Drooping or cropped ears

• Congenital taillessness, short or docked tail

• Excessive hair in areas permitted by the standard

• Hair in areas not permitted by the standard

• Albinism

Note: Male dogs must have two normally developed testicles fully descended into the scrotum.