Breeds of Hairless Dogs - Dogs Without Fur

The first on our list is one of the most common hairless dog breeds, the Chinese Crested dog is not completely hairless. All varieties are known for their crest of hair on their head which gives them their name, but some have completely hairless bodies. Although there are doubts about its true origin, it is believed it lies in the People's Republic of China.

There are two main types of Chinese Crested Dog, based on the amount of hair they possess:

• Powderpuff: this type of Chinese Crested Dog has hair all over their body, although it is not of the same length. While their snout has very short hair, their head, legs and body has fur of varying lengths.
• Hairless: this variant of the Chinese Crested Dog breed appears as if the powderpuff has been shaved on its body, but the crest, ears, feet and tail all have long hair present. This is the type shown in the photo.

Even within these two distinct types, a Chinese Crested Dog can have varying hair lengths. When they do have hair, it is very soft and silky to the touch. Grooming can remove a lot of hair for some, also contributing to variations. A mother can have both powderpuff and hairless Chinese Crested Dogs in the same litter.

They can be somewhat shy and nervous, but tend to have a very balanced character when properly socialized. Both types will need various levels of grooming, but the hairless will need extra skin protection when exposed to the sun. While they are known to suffer eye and dental problems, they tend to have a relatively high life expectancy of up to 13 years.

The Peruvian Hairless Dog is a very striking and remarkable breed. While there may be some vestigial hair on their face, there is usually very little on their body. Although it is generally known as the Peruvian Hairless Dog, this breed has a wide variety of names which include the following:

• Peruvian Hairless Dog
• Peruvian Inca Orchid
• Chimú Dog
• Naked Dog
• Inca Hairless Dog
• Viringo
• Calato (colloquial term in Peruvian Spanish for ‘naked’)
• Perro Viringo
• Peruvian Hairless
• Moonflower Dog

It is originally from Peru and is considered one of the oldest dogs in the world, with representations in indigenous art dating back to 300 BCE. As with the Chinese Crested Dog, the Peruvian Hairless Dog can be born with or without hair. There are also those who have a few hairs on their heads. In rare occasions, there are also individuals of this breed which are born with a full coat of hair.

Due to the popularity of the variety without hair, breeders are increasingly ignoring the breeding of full-coated Chimú dogs. This practice means that future generations may suffer serious genetic problems due to consanguinity.

While they may be well known to dog lovers, the Peruvian Hairless is relatively uncommon. Discover more with our list of rare dog breeds.

As their name suggests the Argentine Pila or Perro Pila Argentino is endemic to the Argentine Republic. It is very similar in appearance to the Peruvian Hairless Dog, but they can come in three sizes of either small, medium or large. While some are completely hairless, others show tufts of scraggly hair on different parts of their body as seen in the photo below.

This dog breed without fur needs special care to protect their skin. This includes the use of sunblock and other protective topical creams which help reduce allergic reactions. They are another long-lived dog with a life expectancy of up to 20 years. They can be dark-skinned or light-skinned with dark spots and they are rarely seen out of their native Argentina.

This breed of hairless dog has American origins and is a descendant of the Fox Terrier. It is more muscular and stronger than the breeds of hairless dog mentioned so far, but it is relatively small in size.

The skin of this bald dog shows white tones that can be combined with gray, black, red, pink and gold. For American Hairless Terriers with light skin, they are particularly vulnerable to the sun. In terms of character, they are particularly active and love to play, something which can help us bond with this furless dog breed,

While they can still cause allergic reactions, many of the hairless dog breeds are considered better for those with mild allergies. Learn more with our list of hypoallergenic dog breeds.

Another of the most famous breeds of hairless dog, the Xoloitzcuintle is also known as the Xolo or the Mexican Hairless Dog. Like the Peruvian Hairless Dog, they can still show some fur on their extremities and some are coated, however many are completely hairless. In addition to the amount of fur they possess, there are three sizes:

• Small Mexican Hairless Dog
• Medium Mexican Hairless Dog
• Large Mexican Hairless Dog

There is an aura of mythology that surrounds this ancient dog breed since in the past it was believed that these dogs were the companions of the deceased to the underworld. In fact, many revered Aztecs were buried with this breed alongside them. They were also used historically as food, but thankfully now are much more common as companion animals. You can see how similar the Xolo looks compared to its statue in the photo below, almost as if they have a metallic sheen.

The Xolo is a very sweet and affectionate dog that will surprise whoever decides to adopt them. Their faithful character makes them a very popular dog in their home country, especially among the Mexican canine federations. They even managed to save the breed when they were on the verge of disappearing. The Xoloitzcuintle as a breed is especially common in its country of origin, but is also known in other regions.

Learn more about the Xoloitzcuintle with our breed file on the Mexican Hairless Dog.

The next breed of hairless dog originates from Ecuador. This is the Ecuadorian Hairless Dog which stands out not only for the absence of fur, but also because it is considered the rarest breed of hairless dog.

This furless dog is a hunting dog that is not recommended for families with children. A light golden mop of hair crowns their head and forehead, giving them the appearance of having bangs. In addition, it does not have premolar teeth and its tail is short and low. This gives them an even more curious appearance.

Also known as the Bolivian Hairless Dog, the Bolivian Khala is native to Bolivia and is hairless. They are not recognized by the most important canine federations and although they are not particularly common, specimens can be found in Mexico and other areas of Latin America. Some breeding programs are being established to help develop the dog further. It is very similar to the Xoloitzcuintle and there are two sizes, small and large.

Image: www.dogbreedinfo.com

Also known as the African Hairless Dog, the Abyssinian Sand Terrier is another of the bald dogs found on our list of breeds of hairless dog. Although they are characterized by the absence of hair, there are some specimens that do have a thin layer of fur. These are just a few fine strands of hair that are located on the head and the tip of the tail.

Although it is not one of the best-known hairless dog breeds worldwide, the Abyssinian Sand Terrier also stands out for the size and direction of its ears, which are reminiscent of a bat. They are considered to be semi-wild, meaning they often live on pastures with cattlemen. It is possible this breed is extinct, but there is insufficient evidence to confirm this.

Image: AnimalFiel

Also known as the Kolleti Jagilam or Jonangi Jagilam, the Jonangi is the only breed of hairless dog endemic to India. It is popular for being used as a hunting and herding dog. Like many of the previous dog breeds without fur, the Jonangi is not officially recognized by canine federations. The photo below shows a young Jonangi.

It should be noted that it is a very agile dog capable of taking care of houses and farms, since it is very dedicated and attentive. They are also ideal dog companions for all families with children.

The last of the hairless dog breeds is found in the hairless Chihuahua. It is a breed that has its origin in recent years and is the result of crossing between the male Chihuahua with hair and the female Xoloitzcuintle.

These hairless dogs are not officially recognized by official canine federations. There are very few specimens in family homes. Although they are one of the hairless dog breeds, they actually have a fine layer of fluff that is only noticeable to the touch.

Now that you know the 10 breeds of hairless dog, you may want to know about breeds on the other end of the spectrum. Find out more with our article on the top 10 longhaired dogs.

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