The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

Peruvian Inca Orchid

Information and Pictures

Back side view - A black Peruvian Hairless dog is laying down on a concrete ground with its head lifted up and looking back to the left. It has large perk ears.

"I've taken this picture of the Peruvian Hairless Dog in front of its home in a coastal town in central Peru."

Other Names
  • Peruvian Hairless Dog
  • PIO
  • Moonflower Dog
  • Perro Flora
  • Perro sin pelo del Peru
  • Al'co Calato
  • Inca Hairless Dog
Description

The Peruvian Inca Orchid has dark, round eyes that tend to squint in the sunlight due to oversensitivity. The lips are wrinkled and the thick, leathery ears sometimes have wisps of hair. Hair grows on the top of the head. Some are born coated with hair in the same litter as the hairless PIO. The skin is soft and pliable. It can be heavily mottled in any color, in any combination with a pink background, or it can be solid colored.

Temperament

For the right owner the Peruvian Inca Orchid is an exotic treat. Its skin requires special care (see grooming). Quick witted, calm and intelligent,it is usually good with children and gets along with other dogs.

Height, Weight

Height: 20 - 26 inches (50 - 65 cm)
Weight: 26 - 50 pounds (12 - 23 kg)

Health Problems

Prone to skin and teeth problems.

Living Conditions

The PIO will do OK in an apartment. A fenced-in yard is recommended as the PIO is a sighthound and may take off chasing a small animal at any time. This breed should live indoors and be protected from the elements. The PIO sunburns very quickly. It should have a sweater in the winter and be kept at a comfortable temperature in the summer. Keep in mind this breed does not have hair to protect it from the weather and is basically naked.

Exercise

This breed needs to be taken on a daily walk. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. If under-exercised, this breed can become nervous and anxious.

Life Expectancy

About 11-12 years

Litter Size

About 3 to 5 puppies

Grooming

The fact that this breed does not have hair does not mean that its skin requires no care. The skin must be protected as much as possible from the sun. A good sunscreen should be used if the dog is going to be out in the sun. People who show these dogs scrub them regularly to remove dead skin and keep the skin soft by using special exfoliating creams intended for use by humans. If you do not plan to show your PIO and the dog is in a normal environment, it is best to not soften the skin as it makes the skin tear more easily. It is most important to keep the skin supple and smooth and to prevent it from becoming dry. Using a lotion or cream or, sometimes, rubbing it with oil is recommended. Bathe these dogs regularly with a gentle soap. The fragile skin is susceptible to sunburn, drying irritation and tears from other dogs, cats and objects. This is a very clean breed with no doggie odor and no fleas. The hairless PIO is ideal for allergy sufferers because there is no hair to shed. The coated variety has hair all over the body and does shed, but not much coat care is required. Regular brushing is required.

Origin

The Peruvian Inca Orchid originated from Peru. Spanish explorers came upon this breed in the homes of the Inca nobility when they first entered Peru in the early 1500s. All the PIOs in the U.S. go back to fewer than a dozen dogs imported a long time ago, so it's a VERY tight gene pool...hence the cookie-cutter look (which is considerably different from the current dogs being imported from Peru.) There have been a few Perro sin Pelo del Peru brought to the U.S. in the last 5 years or so. In Peru the Peruvian Inca Orchid is known as the "Calato," a Quechua word that means "naked." The full name would be "Al'co Calato" (naked dog), but no one seems to use that name. The Spanish carried the dogs to China as gifts, and they may be the origin of the Chinese Crested breed.

Group

Sighthound

Recognition
  • ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
  • ACR = American Canine Registry
  • AKC = American Kennel Club
  • APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.
  • CKC = Continental Kennel Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
  • NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
  • NKC = National Kennel Club
  • UKC = United Kennel Club
Front view - A hairless Peruvian Inca Orchid puppy is sitting on a tan couch and it is looking forward. There are plush stuffed animals and pillows behind it.

Moone the Peruvian Inca puppy at 5 months old

Close up - A hairless Peruvian Inca Orchid puppy is sitting on a dog bed and looking forward. Its ears are dropped over and there is a Christmas tree and a TV behind it.

Tupac Amaru the Peruvian Inca Orchid at 8 months old

Front view - a perk large-eared, hairless, black Peruvian Inca Orchid dog is wearing a thin black collar standing in grass looking down and forward.

This is Sipan, bred by Quipucamayoc. Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Anderson Carranza

A hairless Peruvian Inca Orchid puppy is standing in grass looking to the right. The words - Peruvian Inca Orchid American Breed - is overlayed towards the bottom middle of the image. It has large perk ears and dark skin with lighter white spots on it.

Photo courtesy of Vanna Curtin, a professional rare breed handler and photographer

Close up side view head shot - A hairless Peruvian Inca Orchid is sitting down looking to the right. The words - Peruvian Inca Orchid American Breed - is overlayed towards the bottom middle of the image.

Photo courtesy of Vanna Curtin, a professional rare breed handler and photographer

Right Profile - A hairless brown and white Peruvian Inca Orchid is sitting in grass and it is looking to the right.

Photo courtesy of Vanna Curtin, a professional rare breed handler and photographer

Right Profile - A coated black and white Peruvian Inca Orchid is standing in grass. Its tail is in between its legs.

Coated and hairless dogs are born in the same litter, but there is no telling about coat texture or length.

Side view - A coated white with black Peruvian Inca Orchid dog is standing over a persons leg that is kneeling behind it. It is looking forward.

Coated and hairless dog

See more examples of the Peruvian Inca Orchid