You probably already know about hairless cats but did you know that there are also hairless dog breeds?

Hairless dog breeds are perfect for people who are allergic to dog hair.

Chinese Crested Dog

The Chinese Crested Dog is believed to be one of the oldest known dog breeds. In fact, traces of the Chinese Crested Dog dating back nearly 10,000 years have been found. It was possible to find it in the wild, in small packs in certain provinces of China. After the fall of the Qing dynasty, they were domesticated and put on boats to hunt rats. They were also used as currency during stopovers at the ports.

Other traces of the Chinese Crested Dog have been found in Latin America and more particularly in Mexico. It is believed to be the ancestor of the Mexican Hairless Dog.

The Chinese Crested Dog is a very sensitive dog that grows rapidly. This precocious pup needs to be trained from a very early age. It has tufts of hair on its head, tail, legs, the rest of its skin is covered with a small downy coat with a very soft touch. Its skin is soft and fine. This dog breed will adapt anywhere as long as it stays with you. The Chinese Crested Dog loves to stay close to its owner.

Keep in mind, though, that the Chinese Crested Dog is a big eater. It must compensate for the loss of body heat due to its lack of hair. It is thus necessary to supervise its food well.


Peruvian Hairless Dog

The origins of the Peruvian Hairless Dog are still a bit unclear. The Peruvian Hairless Dog is also called the Inca Hairless Dog and the Peruvian Inca Orchid. Some people think that it was introduced in Peru during the Chinese immigration in the 19th century. Other experts believe that the breed originated in Africa and that it arrived in Peru through nomads. However, there is much older evidence of naked dogs from the pre-Inca civilizations around 300 BC and 1400 AD.

The Peruvian Hairless Dog is a quiet dog that loves to snuggle up in cushions and sleep in the warmth. With that being said, it is an excellent watchdog that will signal any suspicious activity by its barking. It is loyal and obedient to its owners and is a very pleasant companion. The Peruvian Hairless Dog can be distrustful, so you should not rush to pet it if you have not gotten to know it yet. You'll have to wait for it to come to you on its own.

The Peruvian Hairless Dog comes in three different sizes: large, medium, and small. The first two need space and regular exercise. A daily walk is mandatory with them.

Its diet must be rich in calcium and vitamins to allow it to grow well. Like the Chinese Crested Dog, it is a big eater. It is important to keep an eye on its food intake.


Argentine pila dog

The origins of this dog breed are also unclear, as there is no precise historical data. One theory is that the Argentine pila dog arrived in Argentina as a gift from the Inca Empire.

The Argentine pila dog strongly resembles the Peruvian Hairless Dog or the Xoloitzcuintle that we will look at in more detail below. It is found mainly in the north of Argentina. This dog breed is appreciated for the softness of its skin. The breed comes in three sizes, however, the most common is small. The Argentine pila dog is a very affectionate and playful dog, but it can also be an excellent guardian. It is very sociable and energetic. For this reason, it needs to go out regularly, although it can live very well in an apartment. It is also a very intelligent breed that is easy to train.

Keep in mind that this dog breed has delicate skin. It is necessary to take care of it. You can apply protective hypoallergenic creams to protect its skin.

Apart from the skin diseases to which it is sensitive, it is a very robust dog that can live up to 20 years.

American Hairless Terrier

As its name suggests, the American Hairless Terrier is of American origin. It appeared for the first time in 1972 in a litter of Rat Terriers. The first female of the breed was named Josephine and her adopters wanted to perpetuate the lineage. They became the first breeders of American Hairless Terrier.

This dog breed is very nice and obedient. It is athletic and likes to exercise. It is also very friendly and easy to live with.

Its skin is very soft but it needs to be protected from the sun. It is important to avoid taking it outside during the hottest hours. Do not hesitate to protect this breed with a t-shirt or adapted solar cream.


Xoloitzcuintle or Mexican Hairless Dog

This hairless dog breed was already present 3,000 years ago and accompanied hunters in Latin America. The Aztecs worshipped it, hence its name "Xoloitzcuintle" which means "god dog". It was given healing powers. It was also used as a sacrifice to the gods.

The Mexican Hairless Dog also exists in several sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. It is a calm and playful dog, quite reserved towards strangers but affectionate towards its family.

It is an active dog that needs at least 30 minutes of activity per day. It must be protected from the sun or the cold when going out because its skin is sensitive. You can moisturize this dog breed's skin and apply a suitable sun cream.

This dog's metabolism is fast, so it eats a lot but in small quantities each time.

Did you know about these hairless dog breeds?

Originally written by Agathe Warlop (Yummypets) and translated by Jennifer Eubank (Yummypets)

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