One holds a sacred place in Mexican society. In contrast, the other is considered the cultural heritage of Peru — no doubt, both Xoloitzcuintli and Peruvian Inca Orchids are ancient yet exotic dog breeds!
These hypoallergenic dogs make fantastic pets for families with members prone to dog allergies.
With numerous remarkably similar physical characteristics, it can be challenging to differentiate between a Peruvian Inca Orchid and a Xoloitzcuintli.
The comparison chart below gives you all the similarities and differences between the two.
If you want to read a more in depth article about either pooch, check out our comprehensive posts on the Peruvian Inca Orchid vs. Xoloitzcuintli dog breed!
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About the Breed
Size
Hypoallergenic Coat
Temperament
Training
Exercise Needs
Grooming Requirements
Care
Health Issues
About the Breed — Peruvian Inca Orchid vs. Xoloitzcuintli
| Peruvian Inca Orchid | Xoloitzcuintli | |
| Country of Origin | Peru | Mexico |
| Origin year | 750 A.D. | 1500 B.C. |
| Other Names | Xolo, Mexican Hairless dog, Xoloitzcuintles | Peruvian Hairless Dog, Perro Sin Pelo del Perú, PIO, Perros Flora, Inca Hairless Dog, and Moonflower Dog. |
| Dog Group (AKC) | Miscellaneous Class | Non-Sporting |
| Life Span | 12-14 years | 13-18 years |
| Price | $350-$800 | $1500-$3000 |
Size — Peruvian Inca Orchid vs. Xoloitzcuintli
| Peruvian Inca Orchid | Xoloitzcuintli | |
| Height | ||
| Small | 9.5–15 inches (25–40 cm) | 10–14 inches (23–36 cm) |
| Medium | 15.5–19 inches (40–50 cm) | 15–18 inches (38–51 cm) |
| Large | 19.5–25 inches (50–65 cm) | 19–23 inches (51–76 cm) |
| Weight | ||
| Small | 8.5–17.5 pounds (4–8 kg) | 5–15 pounds (2.3–6.8 kg) |
| Medium | 18–26.5 pound (8–12 kg) | 15–30 pounds (6.8–14 kg) |
| Large | 27–55 pounds (12–25 kg) | 25–40 pounds (11–18 kg) |
Hypoallergenic Coat — Peruvian Inca Orchid vs. Xoloitzcuintli
| Peruvian Inca Orchid | Xoloitzcuintli | |
| Coat | Hairless or coated | Hairless or coated |
| Coat Texture | Smooth. Some pups may have feathering on their body, especially around the neck and ears. | Coat is soft, dense and has a sheen. |
| Coat Length | Short to medium | Short |
| Coat Colors |
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| Hypoallergenic? | Yes | Yes |
Temperament — Peruvian Inca Orchid vs. Xoloitzcuintli
| Peruvian Inca Orchid | Xoloitzcuintli | |
| Personality |
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| Territorial? | Yes | No |
| Sensitivity Level | High | High |
| Children Friendly? | They are good with older children, but not suitable for younger ones. | Yes, but better with supervision! |
| Dog Friendly? | Yes | Yes |
| Prey-Driven? | Strong! These Sight Hounds will bolt after anything small that is moving! When outside, keep them on a leash. | High! Xolo dogs are likely to chase other smaller animals. Keep them on a leash when outside. |
| Stranger Friendly? | Peruvian Inca Orchids are wary of strangers and will take their time to adjust around new people. | Xoloitzcuintles can be aloof towards strangers. Requires socialisation training from an early age. |
| Apartment Friendly? | An indoor pet, PIO are great apartment dogs. | The calm and tranquil Xolocuintles make wonderful apartment dogs! |
Exercise & Training
Training — Peruvian Inca Orchid vs. Xoloitzcuintli
| Peruvian Inca Orchid | Xoloitzcuintli | |
| Intelligence | Above average. | Above average. |
| Trainability | Easy to Train. PIO dogs are quick to associate command to action. | Xolo dogs are easy to train, but you need a consistent regime and must set clear boundaries. Xolo dogs respond well to positive training. |
| Barking Tendency | Low. The Peruvian Hairless dog barks only occasionally out of fear or wariness. | Low. These pups rarely bark. |
| Potential for Mouthiness | They can be nippy. | Xoloitzcuintles can be nippy. |
| Social Needs? | These pooches are territorial and tend to be cautious around strangers. Peruvian Inca Orchid puppies need to be socialized from day one! | They can be wary of strangers, so you must start the socialization training of your Xoloitzcuintles puppy as soon as possible. |
| Can they be left alone? | Peruvian Inca Orchids are not fond of being alone. Crate training from an early age will help Peruvian Inca Orchid puppies feel safe when in their own company. | No! Xolo dogs can develop separation anxiety if left alone for an extended period. Experts suggest crate-training your Xoloitzcuintli puppy. |
Exercise Needs — Peruvian Inca Orchid Vs. Xoloitzcuintli
| Peruvian Inca Orchid | Xoloitzcuintli | |
| Energy Level | Energetic | Medium |
| Exercise Needs | Peruvian Hairless dogs need a decent amount of exercise. Several long walks every day are necessary to keep these pups happy and healthy | A daily long walk and playtime with their family would keep Xolo dogs content and healthy. |
Grooming & Care
Grooming Requirements — Peruvian Inca Orchid vs. Xoloitzcuintli
| Peruvian Inca Orchid | Xoloitzcuintli | |
| Coat Maintenance | Low | Minimal |
| Shedding | Low to non-shedding | Low to non-shedding |
| Dander | Dander-free | Minimal |
| Drooling Tendency | Low | Low |
Find out what equipment you will need for grooming your dog.
Care — Peruvian Inca Orchid vs. Xoloitzcuintli
| Peruvian Inca Orchid | Xoloitzcuintli | |
| Sleeping Need | 12-14 hours a day. | 12-14 hours a day. |
| Daily Food Consumption | 1.5-2.5 cups of high-quality dog food is sufficient depending on size. | 1.0-1.5 cups of high-quality dog food is adequate depending on size. |
| Special Care? | Peruvian Inca Orchids’ skin is exposed and therefore needs special care:
| The exposed skin of Xoloitzcuintles requires special care:
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Health Issues — Peruvian Inca Orchid vs. Xoloitzcuintli
| Peruvian Inca Orchid | Xoloitzcuintli | |
| Health Problems | A hearty breed, Peruvian Inca Orchids do not have any major health concerns. Due to exposed skin, they can be prone to skin issues like skin acne and dryness. | An exceptionally healthy breed, Xoloitcuintli do not have any breed-specific genetic diseases. Due to exposed skin, some pups may develop skin issues like skin acne and dryness. |
