Inca Hairless Dogs (Perro sin Pelo del Peru)

The Inca hairless dog originated in Peru, South America, hence its other name - Peruvian hairless dog. But it is believed that the dogs were in existence before the times of the Incas. They may have descended from hairless Mexican dogs brought by traders.

These Peruvian hairless dogs were sometimes bred as a source of meat.

The breed was popular with the Incas, who kept them indoors all day so that they did not suffer from sunburn. The dogs got out at night only, and got the name, "Moon-flower dogs." Hairless dogs would not have survived without man's protection. The high Andes mountains are too cold. When Spain conquered Peru, the breed nearly became extinct. They are still rare today.

Some dogs were exported to USA, where they developed as Peruvian Inca Orchids. 

The ears are large, and erect. Elderly dogs tend to be toothless. Sometimes both hairless puppies and puppies with a coat of hair are born to the same parents. The coated dogs would be used as hunters, and the hairless as housedogs. The coated dogs have rose-shaped ears.

HEIGHT: Small 10-16 inches; medium 16-20 inches; large 20-28 inches

COAT: Hairless; short fuzzy hair on top of head, edge of ears, feet and tail

COLOR: any. In USA, where the Peruvian Incha Orchid breed has developed, many breeders fancy a white or pink dogs with colored spots.

GROUP: Southern

TYPE: Sighthound (A dog who sees and chases game)

How the different breeds of dogs developed

The Incas were a deeply religious people who sacrificed animals or children to appease the gods. In the old testament of the Bible, people used to sacrifice animals to God as a token of sorrow for sin. We all sin so much, it would take a lot of sacrifices to make up for our failures. When Jesus came, His death was the once-for-all sacrifice, so no further animals needed to be sacrificed. Let's read Romans 3, 23 - 28: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified through Christ Jesus though faith in His blood that He might be the justifier of him who believes in Christ Jesus. We conclude that a man is justified by faith in Christ Jesus."

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