It is said that there are 700 to 800 different breeds of dogs in the world. Among them, dog breeds with many coats and long hair are sometimes conspicuous, and many dog breeds are known in Japan. On the other hand, little is known about dog breeds that do not have hair. There are not many breeds, but there has been a breed of dog called hairless dog for a long time. In this article, we will introduce the types and characteristics of such hairless dogs.
There are only 7 breeds of hairless dogs! | Hairless dog
There are currently seven types of hairless dogs around the world that have almost no hair. In addition to dog breeds that have almost no hair on their entire body, there are also dog breeds that have hair on only part of their tails and head.
What are the 7 types of hairless dogs?
The following 7 breeds of dogs have no hair.
・ Chinese Crested Dog
・ Mexican hairless dog (= Mexican hairless dog)
・ Hairless Carla (= Bolivian Hairless Dog)
・ American (hairless) terrier
・ Peruvian hairless dog
・ Argentine pila dog
・ Peruvian Inca Orchid
As you can see from the name, the mainstream of hairless dogs is characterized by being a breed native to Central and South America. In addition, there was a hairless dog native to Egypt called Egyptian Hairless Dog, which is said to have already existed around the first year of AD, but it is said that it has become extinct because the survival status is currently unknown.
Hairless dog features
The biggest feature of hairless dogs is that they have almost no hair. Therefore, it has less hair loss and dandruff, and is said to be especially suitable for people with allergies. Not only have they been popular as pet dogs for a long time, but dogs without hair are said to have played a role like hot water bottles and hot compresses because of their high body temperature. Because of its effect, the ancient Egyptians believed that hairless dogs had special powers.
Other breeds, such as Chinese Crested, were just as useful. Since there is no hair, care is required against strong ultraviolet rays, severe cold, and dryness.
Characteristics of 7 hairless dog breeds
Hairless dogs are rarely seen in Japan, but what are their characteristics? Introducing the characteristics of hairless dog breeds that are said to be suitable for indoor breeding.
Chinese Crested Dog
There are two types of Chinese Crested Dogs: the hairless type, which has no hair except around the head, tail, and legs, and the powder puff type, which is covered with long, thin hair. The dog is 23 to 30 cm tall, weighs 5 to 6 kg, and has a bright, active, and elegant personality. There are various theories about the origin of this dog, and it is not clear. It is also said to be the ancestor dog of Chihuahua.
Mexican Hairless Dog / Mexican Hairless Dog
A characteristic of Mexican hairless dogs native to Mexico is that they are almost completely hairless and have smooth, soft skin. The body has a wide chest, long limbs and tail, and comes in three sizes, from miniature to standard, with a height of about 25-60 cm. He has a calm and cheerful personality, is cautious and clever, and is never aggressive, so he is suitable as a guard dog and a pet.
Bolivian Hairless Dog / Hairless Carla
The ancestor is the Peruvian Hairless Dog, a breed created by crossing this with a local Bolivian dog. There is a solid pottery type and a tall and slender sighthound type, both of which have long legs and neck and a slender figure, with standing ears and a saber-shaped hanging tail. The head has a mane, but the others are hairless. The skin is moist and smooth. The body height is 36-43 cm for the pottery type and 43-51 cm for the sighthound type. His personality is alert, but he is calm and not aggressive and loves to play. It has become popular as a pet in the country of origin and has been designated as the national dog of Bolivia.
American (hairless) terrier
A new breed of dog native to the United States, a hairless version of the American Rat Terrier. It is rarely bred outside the country of origin. Since it is a hairless breed, it has no hair on its body. The skin is smooth and warm, with a pale pink background and black spots. The muzzle is short, the eyes are large, and the ears are long standing ears. The body is firm and the legs are long, and the tail is a saber-shaped hanging tail. The size is divided into standard and toy, the height is 18-41 cm, and the weight is 2.5-7 kg. Full of curiosity peculiar to terriers, it is also suitable as a friendly pet, but it reacts sensitively to small animals.
Peruvian hairless dog
There are various theories about the country of origin, but it is a hairless dog that is said to be native to Peru. Once edible, it became a noble pet dog and was further improved to include this breed with a black body color (also characterized by its resistance to sunlight) and the light brown “Peruvian Inca Orchid”. It was divided into two breeds. Appearance is characterized by no hair other than above the eyes and beard, long legs and a slim figure, with long standing ears and a saber-shaped hanging tail. It is divided into 3 sizes, large, medium and small, and has a height of 25 to 60 cm. It has an intelligent, affectionate and cautious personality.
Peruvian Inca Orchid
A hairless breed native to Peru, it is a sibling of the Peruvian Hairless Dog. This one has a lighter skin color and is more vulnerable to sunburn, so it has another name, Moonflower Dog. Since they are siblings, their appearances are similar. Divided into three sizes, it is 25-65 cm tall, weighs 4-25 kg, is energetic, affectionate, and easy to keep, but it is very cautious to others.
Argentine pila dog
Native to Buenos Aires, Argentina, this breed was born in the 15th century. It is a rare species and cannot be seen easily in Argentina. It is also threatened with extinction. The Peruvian Hairless Dog and the Peruvian Inca Orchid are the basic dogs of this breed and therefore look very similar. Body height is about 25-40 cm. Personality shows a deep affection for the owner and family. It is also vigilant against other people and dogs, and although it is nervous, it is not aggressive and can be kept as a domestic dog.
Hairless dog is a precious breed that has been loved since ancient times
Dogs are creatures that are recognized on the premise that they are covered with hair. For this reason, hairless dogs have unique characteristics that ordinary dogs do not have, such as their appearance, texture, and warmth, and people have been attracted to their charm since ancient times. Many people are still interested in it. If you have a hairless dog, be sure to understand the characteristics of the breed and remember to take care of UV rays, cold, and dryness.