The Peruvian Inca Orchid is one of several breeds of hairless dogs that originated from the Andes.
This is a non-shedding dog breed whose name means “dog without vestments,” or naked dog. His name is derived from Quechua.
The Peruvian hairless dog is one of the weirdest looking dogs and also one of the rarest in the world.
He is also the national dog of the Peruvian people. Other than that he is also a loyal, sweet, and affectionate pooch whose qualities you would love a lot.
There is a lot you may not know about the Peruvian Inca Orchid and most of which we are going to talk about in this guide. From the look to the personality traits to even how you can take care of him if you decide to buy or adopt.
So, let us get right into it.
About the Peruvian Inca Orchid
Just like the Xoloitzcuintli and theChinese Crested the Peruvian dog is a hairless pooch.
This Peruvian Hairless dog is one that exudes stamina, speed, and strength coupled with his elegant looks.
However, even though he is classified as a hairless dog he comes in two varieties;
- Coated Peruvian variety
- Hairless variety
Hairless Orchids are often black, elephant gray, or brown and most of them have hair tufts in their heads, feet, and tails. You can also tell from their appearance that there are susceptible to frostbites and sunburns because there is nothing to protect their skins.
If you are going to add a Peruvian Orchid as the nest member of your family, you should make sure that he stays indoors most of the time to protect his skin.
The coated naked dog variety can come in any colors including and not limited to brown, black, tan, white and even pink.
These pooches are also sensitive but love people and learn things quickly.
They are also known by other names such as;
🐶Perro sin Pelo del Peru(Peruvian Hairless dog)
🐶Perros flora(flower dog)
By now you may be wondering where such a wonderful dog breed came from but we got just the answer for you.
Origin of the Peruvian Orchid
If you said that this dog is a pretty ancient breed you would be completely correct.
It is said that this breed first appeared in Moche pottery in 750 AD and most of his story can be told through textiles and pottery.
They have also been depicted in Chancay, Chimu and Incan pottery. All three are Peru based.
For the Peruvian ancient tribes, this dog was lauded to provide healing properties and was also a loyal companion for those people.
The Chimu used feces and urine from this doggo to make medicine and they also believed that these dogs could heal conditions such as arthritis and could bring good health.
Before the Spanish people conquered Peru, these dogs were small but after that, they were interbred with other dogs to derive three different sizes.
However, unlike the Chimus, Incan, and Chancay people, not everyone viewed or celebrated these dogs as much. People in urban areas viewed them as diseased mostly because they were hairless.
Needless to say, not everyone continued to have affection for this dog.
Jack Walklin was responsible for bringing these dogs to the US in 1966 after visiting Peru and developing a liking for these dogs. And thanks to him the popularity of these dogs began to grow through America and Europe as well.
This man, Jack Walklin is also believed to the one that named them.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club and the UKC both recognize this dog breed. German-based FCI also registered the Peruvian Inca Orchid in 1981.
In the year 1985, the Kennel Clun of Peru requested FCI to change the name of the dog to Perro sin Pelo de Peru (Peruvian Hairless Dog).
This dog was also declared as the national dog of Peru in 2001.
Peruvian Hairless dog pro and cons
Pros
✓These dogs are loyal and affectionate.
✓They are fit well in apartment living.
✓Orchid dogs like to be around people and are social dogs.
Cons
✘These doggos need you to give them specialized grooming care.
✘They are not very fond of strangers.
✘These dogs are also not too friendly to cats, other dogs or kids.
General Appearance and Characteristics of the Flower dog
Peruvian Inca Orchid summary table | |
---|---|
Height | 10 to 26 inches |
Weight | 25 to 50 pounds |
Lifespan | 10 to 12 years |
Breed Type | Miscellaneous |
Purpose | companion dogs |
Suitable For | Adult families |
Grooming requirements | Low to high grooming needs |
Color Variations | White, pink, brown, gray, black(any color is accepted) |
Health concerns | dental problems, Skin irritations, epilepsy, and even pancreas inflammations |
Temperament | intelligent, loyal, loving, friendly, Energetic, Affectionate and can also be destructive when neglected. |
Other Names | Flower dog, PIO or the Peruvian Hairless dog |

Size
Peruvian Inca Orchids can come in three different sizes namely;
- Small
- Medium
- Large
Small PIOs have a height of between 10 to 16 inches and weigh between 9 to 18 pounds.
Medium-sized Peruvian Inca Orchids have a height of between 16 to 20 inches and can weigh anywhere between 18 to 26 pounds.
Finally, the large PIOs have a height of around 20 to 6 inches and weigh between 26 to 55 pounds.
Physical appearance
This Peruvian hairless belongs to a group of dogs known as sighthounds just like the Afghan Hound.
The hairless appearance is the first thing you will notice when you look at a Peruvian Hairless dog.
Bred to be hunters, these pooches have muscular and powerful bodies.
Their bodies are slim and elegant with an impression of harmony and force.
The ears of this dog should be candle-flame shaped and erect but some of them may have ears that lay flat.
They also have a very unique feature and that is their feet. Ever seen a dog that has webbed toes? The Peruvian Inca Orchid is one of the dogs that have webbed toes which is similar to the ones found on Chinese Crested.
Coat appearance and shedding
As we have mentioned a couple of times now the Peruvian Inca Orchid a hairless. But it is also worth mentioning again that not all of them are hairless.
You should also note that the hairless gene is also linked to missing some teeth but the coated Orchids may have all their teeth.
Even the hairless varieties have some chunks of hair on their feet, head, and tails.
Some of the Peruvian Orchids are born with full coats that look more like the traditional doggos.
The coated Peruvian varieties may have long and straight coats or smooth, short, and flowing coats.
These dogs also have a wide range of colors from pink to black to brown. Generally, the hairless variety is born black or pink and they later develop some freckles that are responsible for the final coloring of the pooch.
Shedding in these dogs is almost non-existence which also makes them hypoallergenic. This dog does not cause any allergic reactions to people that are sensitive to dog dander.
Personality traits and temperaments of the Peruvian Inca Orchid
Traits | Rating |
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Friendliness |
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Confidence |
🐕🐕
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Protectiveness |
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Prey Drive |
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sociability |
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Generally, these dogs are affectionate, friendly and intelligent.
And because they were bred to be hunters they have no ‘off’ switch but they know their boundaries and understand rules.
Although they are affectionate and friendly they are also wary of strangers but are not aggressive.
They also make great family pets but are not recommended to families with small children. However, they do well with older children.
When raised together with other dogs and animals they get along well. Training this dog and socializing will make sure that you have no issues with his behavior around other animals.
Also, if you are looking for a watchdog a Peruvian Inca Orchid will do you just right. These dogs are known to be protective of their families and especially children and women.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Peruvian Hairless dog smell?
Hairless dogs like the Peruvian Orchids and the Xolo dog are increasingly becoming popular among dog lovers. These doggos tend to be cleaner and do not smell or have any annoying odor like other dogs since they do not have fur which can keep dirt trapped.
What is the cost of a Peruvian Inca Orchid?
Peruvian Hairless dogs puppies can cost anywhere between $600 to $800 depending on the breeder and location where you get the puppy. The price could go higher if you are looking for a show dog or a superior breed.
Peruvian Hairless dogs Puppies
A Peruvian Inca Orchid mother can give birth to a litter of about 3 to 5 puppies.
These puppies take between 8 to 12 months to reach maturity and the price of one puppy can range between $600 to $800 depending on the history of the parents, location, and breeder.
For superior lines, you could end up paying upwards of $2500 for a pup.
You should do your research and only go for a breeder who takes excellent care of the puppies and who is reputable.
Adopting or rescuing a puppy may be way cheaper if you are looking to save some money.
You must socialize and train your puppy the moment he gets home to avoid having any unwanted behaviors.
Grooming a Peruvian Inca Orchid
These dogs’ coats do not require much grooming but you need to take care of the coat.
They will need regular brushing but baths will be needed to take care of the skin. Any time before you take your Peruvian Inca Orchid out your needs to make sure that you apply sunscreen on his skin.
Weekly baths help to reduce the risk of this dog developing skin acne.
You will also need to make sure that the dog’s skin is regularly moisturized to prevent drying of the skin. You can use olive or coconut oil to moisturize but a baby lotion that has no lonalin is also great.
If your Peruvian Orchid has a coat(Powerpuff) some brushing might be needed but not too much.
During winter put a warm cloth on the dog to prevent him from getting frostbites.
They also need their nails to be trimmed and ears checked and cleaned weekly to reduce the risks of them getting infections. Regular dental care through brushing and using dental toys should not be overlooked. For brushing their teeth you should use a toothpaste that is approved by the veterinarian.
Feeding requirements
This pooch does well on high-quality dog food whether it is raw food or store-bought.
These foods should be high on proteins for the repair of damaged tissues and to help in the development of muscles. Also, the diet should have at least 8% of fats to provide them with the energy that they need.
Choose a diet that is appropriate for the dog’s age. Whether your dog is an adult or a puppy there are meals that are appropriate for them.
Treats are important during training but you should make sure that your Peruvian Hairless dog is not having too many for their weight.
Your vet can help you with choosing a diet that is appropriate for your pooch and answer any questions you have about the dog’s weight.
Fresh and clean water should be available for the canine friend at all times.

Exercising a Peruvian Inca Orchid
These are medium energy dogs that still require daily exercise for physical stimulation.
A proper walk and some indoor playtime can help meet their physical needs. You should do this for about 45 minutes every day.
Allow them to play in a yard of you are fortunate enough to have enough and make sure that it is well fenced.
These pooches are also great at agility sports, swimming, and lure coursing. Some brain games such as puzzles will help provide the mental stimulation that this doggo needs.
Failing to meet this dog’s mental and physical stimulation needs may make him/her end up being destructive.
Training
Patience and consistency are the best tools at your disposal if you want to train a Peruvian Hairless dog.
This dog may have a stubborn streak which you should watch out for.
A well trained Peruvian Inca Orchis is a well-behaved one for that matter. Training this pooch should not be difficult since he is eager to please and intelligent.
These dogs respond best to reward-based training and positive reinforcement. Shouting at this dog is not recommended since he is a sensitive dog.
Socialization is also an important part of training should not be overlooked.
Known health concerns
These furry friends are quite healthy but they are known to suffer from some health problems.
Some of the health issues that you can look out for are skin lesions, acne, skin irritations and even missing teeth.
The missing teeth are linked to the genes that cause the hairlessness in these dogs therefore your Peruvian Inca Orchid may miss one or several teeth. They are born with a full set of teeth that naturally fall out as they grow.
This dog’s skin should be taken care of well to prevent issues like skin irritations and the skin drying out.
Also, you should avoid the use of insecticides on these pooches since some of the dogs are very sensitive to them.
Peruvian Inca Orchids have a lifespan of between 10 to 1 years depending on how healthy he is.
Breed summary
We have seen that the Peruvian Inca Orchid is an ancient dog breed that originated from Peru.
This breed also has two varieties the Hairless variety and the Powerduf which is the coated variety.
If you have your mindset on getting this dog you should be prepared to take care of his sensitive skin and to make sure that he gets enough physical and mental exercise.
Doing this will make sure that he is healthy and non-destructive.
But generally, the Peruvian Inca Orchid should be a great addition to your family.
Tell us what you think about this breed and tell us what your experiences with him have been if you own one in the comment section below.
There you go WOOF!!
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