Is the Peruvian Hairless Dog Hypoallergenic?
110%! The absence of hair makes the Peruvian Inca Orchid hypoallergenic! A perfect choice for people prone to dog allergies.
The Peruvian Inca Orchid Hypoallergenic Dog
Considered to be part of Peru’s cultural heritage, Peruvian Inca Orchids are an ancient yet exotic dog breed. These dogs are remarkably healthy and need minimal grooming. Mostly referred to as the Peruvian Hairless Dog or simply PIO, this dog breed is a perfect example of a non-shedding dog!
They’re slender, noble companions who make devoted indoor pets for families with older children. Their cautious and protective nature makes them an excellent watchdog.
For a synopsis of the details below, skip to our Peruvian Inca Orchid hypoallergenic dog breed summary further down the page.
What’s Coming up on This Page About The Peruvian Inca Orchid?
The Peruvian Inca Orchid’s Physical Characteristics
Peruvian Inca Orchid Hypoallergenic Coat
Peruvian Inca Orchid Temperament
Peruvian Inca Orchid Training and Exercise
Peruvian Inca Orchid Grooming and Care
Peruvian Inca Orchid Health Issues and Care
Peruvian Inca Orchid FAQs
If you have specific questions about the hypoallergenic Peruvian Inca Orchid dog breed, check out our FAQs section.
The elegant silhouette of the Peruvian Inca Orchid dog is sleek, lean, and graceful. It’s muscular but slim build adds to their speed and strength. This means they can run like the wind! However, don’t worry, they can be couch potatoes in the home.
The robust PIO dog breed comes in three sizes:
| Size Variety | Height | Weight |
| Small | 9.5–15 inches (25–40 cm) | 8.5–17.5 pounds (4–8 kg) |
| Medium | 15.5–19 inches (40–50 cm) | 18–26.5 pound (8–12 kg) |
| Large | 19.5–25 inches (50–65 cm) | 27–55 pounds (12–25 kg) |
The slightly almond-shaped eyes of Peruvian Hairless Dogs give expressions of an alert and intelligent pooch. They can be black or any hue between brown and yellow, depending on skin color, which can be any shade on the canine rainbow. The same applies to the nose. Like Xoloitzcuintles, these pups also have bat-like ears.
The hypoallergenic Peruvian Hairless dog has two coat variants:
1. Hairless Peruvian Inca Orchid: The primary characteristic of this variety is the complete absence of hair, except for vestigial hair on the head, feet, and lower tail of some pups.
2. Coated Peruvian Inca Orchid: These Peruvian’s have short to medium-length fur. Some may have feathering on their ears, neck, and body.
The non-shedding coat makes the Peruvian Hairless dog hypoallergenic and an ideal pet for people prone to dog allergies.
Peruvian Inca Orchids make noble and affectionate indoor pets. They’re cheery and good-tempered, an ideal pet for families with older children. They’re loving, playful and devoted. They’re also protective of their family members and will be wary of strangers if not socialized from an early age. These traits, however, make them excellent watchdogs.
Like the Chinese Crested, the Peruvian Hairless dog is a hound — a Sight Hound to be specific. They also have a strong prey-drive and will bolt after anything small and moving. So, it’s not a good idea to have your PIO near small pets and kids.
Encouraging Good Behavior in Your Peruvian Inca Orchid
The intelligent and agile PIO dogs are easy to train as they’re quick to associate commands to actions. These sensitive canines respond well to positive training. If trained properly, these pooches do well in dog sports like rally, agility, and lure coursing.
Peruvian Inca Orchid puppies need socialization training from day one. They’re not fond of being left alone and may develop separation anxiety, but crate training from puppyhood would help alleviate that.
Peruvian Inca Orchid Exercise Needs
An energetic breed, the hypoallergenic Peruvian Hairless dog, needs a fair amount of exercise. Play-time in the backyard or long brisk walks several times a day will keep your pup happy and healthy. When outside, keep your PIO on a leash — they have a high prey drive and will chase any small animal they see!
Peruvian Hairless dogs’ hypoallergenic coat is easy to maintain. The hairless variant doesn’t require any brushing, whereas the coated needs only occasional grooming, using a hound mitt.
A monthly bath with a moisturizing shampoo will keep your pup clean and healthy. One breeder suggests making Jojoba oil massage part of their skincare routine, as it’s natural and doesn’t clog the pores.
The nails can be clipped dependent on growth, whereas the ears should be cleaned bi-weekly. A regular tooth-brushing regime will prevent dental problems.
Find out what equipment you will need for grooming your dog.
The PIO dogs are not outdoor dogs! Their exposed skin needs special care. Be sure to use dog-safe sunscreen when going out. In winter, cover your pooches with a jacket to keep them warm!
A healthy breed, Peruvian Inca Orchids aren’t known to have any major health concerns. The hairless variety has premolars missing as a genetic trait and is prone to skin issues.
Conclusion
Overall, Peruvian Inca Orchids make fantastic indoor pets for families with older kids. They’re affectionate, playful, devoted, and even-tempered. They love their family but can be reserved around strangers. So, you will need to socialize them from an early age!
They’re, essentially, a non–shedding dog breed, which makes a Peruvian Hairless dog hypoallergenic! If you’re not fond of dog hair on your couch or you have dog allergies, Peruvian Inca Orchids would be a great pet choice for you.
Does Peruvian Inca Orchid Dog Have Dander?
No. This breed doesn’t have the normal dog dander, which makes the Peruvian Hairless dog hypoallergenic!
Find out how you can reduce dander levels in your homes here.
Does Peruvian Inca Orchid Dog Breed Have Hair?
It depends. PIO has two varieties. The Hairless type is characterized by the absence of hair. Whereas the coated PIO has fur, that is short to medium.
Do Coated Peruvian Inca Orchid Dogs Shed?
No. The coat is non-shedding, making the Peruvian Hairless Dog hypoallergenic and a perfect breed for people who suffer from dog allergies.
Does the Peruvian Inca Orchid Bark a Lot?
Rarely. PIO dogs barking tendency is low to average. If you’re looking for a quiet breed, the Peruvian Hairless dog would be a great choice for you!
Is the Peruvian Inca Orchid Good Pet to Have?
Yes! PIO dogs are loving, even-tempered, smart, lively, and make good pets. However, they’re not suitable for families with young children as they can be nippy.
How Much Do Peruvian Inca Orchid Hypoallergenic Dogs Cost?
Although a rare breed, you can come by a Peruvian Hairless puppy for $350-$800!
Peruvian Inca Orchid Facts Summary
| Breed | Peruvian Inca Orchid |
| Other Names? | Peruvian Hairless Dog, Perro Sin Pelo del Perú, PIO, Perros Flora, Inca Hairless Dog, and Moonflower Dog. |
| Hypoallergenic? | Yes. |
| Size | Small / Medium / Large |
| Height | 9.5 to 25 inches (25 to 65 cm) |
| Weight | 8.5 to 55 pounds (4 to 25 kg) |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years. |
| Temperament | Noble, cheery, agile, alert, affectionate, protective. |
| Colors | Black, gray, tan, brown, pink, white, copper. |
| Coat | Coated: short to medium length. Hairless: No coat. |
| How much grooming? | Minimum. |
| How much shedding | Non-shedding. |
| Dander levels | Dander free. |
| Saliva–Drooling and licking frequency? | Low. |
| Energy levels | Medium to high. |
| How much exercise do they need? | A few long brisk walks every day. |
| Health problems | No breed-specific genetic issues. |
| Suitable for kids? | PIO dogs do well with older kids, not suitable for young ones. |
| How much do they bark? | Occasionally. |
| Can they be left alone? | No, they’re not fond of being alone. |
| Intelligent? | Yes. |
| Trainable? | Yes. |
| How popular as a pet? | Peruvian Inca Orchid Hypoallergenic dogs are rare. |
