Did Incas have dogs? Expert Advice

The Peruvian hairless dog, also known as the perro sin pelo, Peruvian Inca Orchid or calato, meaning “naked,” is the national dog of Peru. While it can’t be objectively deemed cute or ugly, the Peruvian dog is known for being completely hairless except for, in some cases, small vestiges on the head, tail and feet. And yet, while the breed is known for its hairless nature, not all are hairless. In some litters there are both coated and hairless pups, though the hairless are the most famous.

In Peru, the Peruvian hairless dogs can be one of three sizes: small, medium and large. They can also vary in color from pink to black to brown to speckled. When first born, most Peruvian hairless dogs are a dark black or brown color. As they grow, they may develop a striking speckled pattern on their skin as what appear as pink freckles grow into large patches. As they get older, their ears also stand up straight.

During pre-Inca and Inca times, it is believed that the dogs were revered animals that were thought to have mystical qualities and were even dressed in ceremonial clothing on special occasions. The Incas kept them as companions and they were prized by Inca royalty as bed warmers. Be that as it may, when the Spanish arrived the dog was almost eradicated and some reports state that the Spaniards used the dogs as a food source. At any rate, the treasured breed managed to survive, especially in rural areas.

Overall, the Peruvian hairless dog is a smart, alert, active animal that is fairly easy to train. They can be extremely loyal and affectionate, as well as instinctively protective and defensive. Despite their odd and striking appearance, they make excellent companions and it is no mystery why these dogs are still treasured animals in Peru.

Today, the Peruvian hairless dog, officially named perro peruano sin pelo to reflect its origins, has received international acceptance as a distinct breed. However, its hairless nature and limited genetic diversity have contributed to a number of health concerns. While the breed is generally considered healthy and the dogs will typically live between 11 and 13 years, many suffer from dental problems. It is thought that the genes that are responsible for hairlessness also affect dentition. For that reason, many of the dogs are born without premolars and are unable to chew hard food. The coated variety has full dentition.

When America’s president was searching for a dog for his two daughters, Peru even offered one of its cute hairless puppies to Malia and Sasha Obama because the First Daughters have allergies. The director of the Friends of the Peruvian Hairless Dog Associate (FPHDA), Claudia Galvez, wrote a letter to the U.S. embassy in Lima offering a 4-month-old pedigree puppy named Ears. They once won the heart of Incan kings, but alas not the heart of the American president.

They are not completely hairless and may have short hair on the top of their head, feet, or tail tip. The Peruvian dog is elegant, slender, and quick. Their skin color is chocolate-brown, elephant grey, copper, or mottled, and they can range from 10 to 26 inches tall, and 9 to 55 lbs. One perk of the breed is being easy to clean with a sponge and also being less prone to fleas and other parasites. However, they are prone to sunburn and the genes that cause hairlessness in the breed also result in the dogs often having fewer teeth than other breeds, mostly lacking molars and premolars.

Born and raised in small town Michigan, Melissa began traveling at 15 and hasn’t stopped since. After calling Havana and Paris her temporary homes, she moved to Lima in 2018. Since then, she has traveled extensively in Peru and across the continent to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. She loves trying new foods, learning about history, and chasing waterfalls.

The Peruvian hairless has been man’s best friend since ancient times. The exact origin of this animal remains unclear, and people speculate it may have come from Africa or Asia, but what is known is that this is an ancient breed of dog, often known as Incan dogs because they were kept during the Inca Empire.

However, they were also kept as pets during pre-Inca cultures in the Peruvian coastal zone. Depictions of Peruvian hairless dogs appear as early as 750 A.D. on Moche ceramic vessels and continue in later ceramic traditions such as the Vicus, Nazca, Chancay, Sicán, and Chimú cultures. Sadly, the Spanish conquest of Peru nearly caused the extinction of the breed. Thankfully, some Peruvians in rural areas believed the dog held a mystical value which helped protect the dogs.

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Peruvian Inca Orchid – Dogs 101

A dog breed and not a flower, the Peruvian Inca Orchid is also known as the Peruvian Hairless Dog or the Naked Dog. It is a rare breed, hairless, and quite cuddly.

The national dog of Peru, the Peruvian Inca Orchid is an ancient breed, with clues to its history found on ancient pottery of the Chimú, Chanca, and Incan cultures, as far back as 2,000 years ago.

Before the Spanish came, the Peruvian Inca Orchid was thought to have mystical properties, such as being able to cure or relieve arthritis. To the Spanish, this belief was heresy, and they decided to exterminate them. Fortunately, they first interbred them with their own dog breeds to create a slightly larger, but still hairless breed.

Its official breed name is Perro sin pelo del Perú (Peruvian hairless dog). Locally, the Peruvian Inca Orchid is called Perro Flora, or “flower dog,” a name that makes it growl.

The Spanish called them Perros Flora because they seemed to prefer hanging out in caves to keep out of the sun. They are bald after all. The caves were also stuffed full of wild orchids. An alternative name was “Moon Dogs” because they only came out at night.

They were given their present name by Jack Walklin, an American dog whisperer. Jack took all this in, and pulling all the various strands together came up with the official name of Peruvian Inca Orchid dog. He took eight of these dogs back to the US, and another breeder later took them to Europe. Peruvians still call them Perro sin pelo del Perú.

Confusingly, not all Peruvian Inca Orchids are hairless. Some are born with a full coat or a tuft of hair on the head or tail. The hairy tuft on the head looks like a just-out-of-bed mohawk hairstyle, which gives the impression of an aging mid-80s punk rocker, or Keith Richards with a mohawk.

Hairy dogs are also more likely to have a full set of teeth. Apparently, the hairless gene also dictates some missing teeth.

Peruvian Inca Orchids are considered quite useful. Because they are hairless, they make excellent bed warmers. As pets, they have a good temperament, are lively and good with children. But they are scarce, with only about 1,000 of them around the world. Because they are hairless, they are excellent for people with allergies to dog hair, and they don’t easily carry fleas. On the other hand, because they have no hair, they need sunscreen when outdoors and the occasional rub with moisturizing cream.

For many years, the dogs were ignored and reduced to feral dogs roaming the streets of major cities. It was only in Peru’s rural districts that they had any status.

Recently, the Peruvian government has worked hard to preserve the Peruvian Hairless Dog as a national icon, even to the extent of passing a law requiring at least two at each historical site. You won’t find one wandering the streets. If you do find one, return it to the relevant state agency, and you will be awarded $1,000.

Right now, the Peruvian Inca Orchid is very trendy among Lima’s upscale neighborhoods. You will see the young and lovely walking in their fashionable outfits with a color-coordinated dog on a color-coordinated leash. The government wants to promote the breed as an integral part of Peruvian history, so while their trendiness may be transitory, the Peruvian Inca Orchid will endure.