Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Peruvian Hairless Dog is one of the most ancient breeds of South America, whose origins trace back to the pre-Incan era. Depictions of smooth-skinned dogs appear on ceramics of the Moche, Chimu, and Nazca cultures, confirming their venerable age. These animals were revered as sacred, believed to guard the home and symbolize health. At different times they served as both companions and guardians. After nearly disappearing in the 20th century, the breed was restored through the efforts of Peruvian breeders and recognized as a national treasure of Peru. Today, the Peruvian Hairless Dog is valued for its originality, intelligence, and noble character.
General Appearance
The Peruvian Hairless Dog is an elegant, well-proportioned, and harmoniously built breed, distinguished by the refinement and nobility of its lines. The body is slightly elongated, muscular yet light, with dry, defined outlines. The skin is smooth, elastic, hairless, pleasant to the touch, and slightly warm, ranging in color from dark gray to copper-bronze. The head is elongated and wedge-shaped, with erect ears and almond-shaped eyes that give an alert, intelligent expression. The movement is light, springy, and confident. Despite its refined appearance, the dog is hardy, energetic, and possesses innate dignity. The overall impression is a balance of strength, grace, and natural elegance.
Important Proportions
The Peruvian Hairless Dog is characterized by balanced, harmonious proportions emphasizing elegance and agility. The body length slightly exceeds the height at the withers, giving a slightly elongated silhouette. The head represents about 40% of the body length, with skull and muzzle in a 1:1 ratio. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows; body depth equals half the height. The limbs are long, dry, and well-jointed, ensuring fluid motion. The neck is gracefully arched and equal in length to the head. The tail reaches the hocks and flows smoothly from the body line. Overall, the proportions express refined strength, flexibility, and natural grace.
Behavior and Temperament
The Peruvian Hairless Dog is intelligent, calm, and observant, with a strong attachment to its owner. Sensitive and perceptive, it quickly responds to human emotions and seeks close contact. Naturally friendly, it remains alert toward strangers, making an excellent watchdog without aggression. It is gentle and affectionate, loves attention, and enjoys play while maintaining poise. Highly trainable, intelligent, and tactful, the breed combines emotional depth, loyalty, and inner balance, making it an ideal family companion.
Head
The head is elongated and noble in outline, proportionate to the body with smooth lines and an intelligent expression. The skull is slightly convex; the forehead is flat with a noticeable but not abrupt stop. The muzzle is wedge-shaped with a straight bridge, tapering slightly toward the nose. The nose is large, pigmented in harmony with the skin tone—from dark brown to black. Lips are thin and tight. Jaws are strong, with a correct scissor bite; partial dentition is permissible and not considered a fault. The expression is noble, attentive, and balanced, reflecting intelligence and sensitivity.
Foreface
The foreface is refined, dry, and expressive. The muzzle narrows slightly toward the nose without sharpness; the bridge is straight. The nose is large, with open nostrils and pigmentation matching the skin. Lips are tight and dry, without folds or looseness. Jaws are strong with a scissor bite; partial tooth absence is tolerated. Cheeks are moderate and smooth. The foreface harmonizes with the skull, creating a noble, gentle expression. The gaze is lively and soulful, reflecting intellect and sensitivity.
Eyes
The eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and set straight with a vivid, expressive look. The iris ranges from amber to dark brown, complementing the skin tone. Eyelids are dry, tight, and darkly pigmented. The expression is intelligent and slightly contemplative, giving a noble appearance. Eyes must not be bulging or too small. Their calm, thoughtful gaze reflects the dog’s sensitivity, devotion, and balanced temperament.
Ears
Ears are medium to large, triangular, broad at the base, and pointed at the tips. Set high and erect, slightly angled outward, they give an alert, noble expression. At rest, they may tilt backward; when attentive, they stand erect. The inner surface is smooth and hairless. The ears harmonize with the wedge-shaped head and enhance its elegance, reflecting alertness, intelligence, and composure.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, dry, muscular, and gracefully arched, blending smoothly into the withers and body. It emphasizes the breed’s nobility and flexibility, adding expressiveness to movement. The skin is smooth, firm, and free of folds or dewlap. The neck is strong enough to support the head yet never coarse. Its arched line, especially in males, conveys confidence and breed type.
Body
The body is harmonious, strong, and elegant. The back is straight and firm; the loin is short and muscular with a gentle curve. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows, with moderately arched ribs and a well-tucked abdomen. The withers are smoothly defined; the croup is slightly sloping, wide, and strong. The topline is smooth and balanced. The body conveys a perfect blend of strength, flexibility, and nobility.
Tail
The tail is thin, flexible, and elegant, set low and flowing from the body line. At rest it hangs naturally with a slight curve; when moving, it rises in a gentle sickle shape without curling over the back. It reaches the hocks or slightly beyond. The skin is smooth and hairless, matching the body color. Its carriage and motion enhance the silhouette, expressing confidence and elegance.
Forequarters
Forelegs are straight, dry, and strong, with well-developed muscles and solid bone. Shoulders are long and sloping, forming a 100° angle with the upper arm. The elbows are directed straight back, close to the body. Forearms are long and straight; pasterns short and slightly slanted for elasticity. Feet are compact and oval, with firm pads and dark nails. Forequarters provide stability and lightness of movement.
Hindquarters
Hind legs are strong and muscular, balanced with the forequarters. Thighs are long and dry, with defined muscles; lower legs are solid, providing strong propulsion. Stifles are well-angled, ensuring smooth and elastic motion. Hocks are low and parallel from the rear view. Feet are oval with firm pads. Hindquarters give power, balance, and fluidity to movement.
Gait and Movement
The gait is free, elegant, and springy, with smooth and confident motion. The forelegs reach forward amply, while the hind legs give a strong push, creating harmonious balance. The back remains firm and flexible during movement. The stride is light and graceful, combining rhythm, elasticity, and poise. The gait reflects the breed’s anatomical harmony and natural elegance.
Coat
The breed is nearly hairless, its smooth, elastic skin being one of its main distinguishing features. The skin is pleasant to the touch, slightly glossy, and may vary from dark gray to bronze, brown, or pinkish tones, sometimes with contrasting patches. Small hair tufts may appear on the head, tail tip, or limbs, but should be fine and sparse. The skin is durable and weather-resistant but requires care and protection from sun and cold. The absence of coat defines the breed’s refined, exotic appearance.
Permitted Colors
Skin tones range across natural hues: black, gray, bronze, dark brown, copper, fawn, and pinkish flesh. Both solid and spotted patterns are allowed, with white, pink, brown, or gray patches in regular or irregular distribution. Skin color must appear natural and harmonious. Pigmentation of the nose, lips, eyelids, and nails should be dark and match the overall tone. Artificial coloring or unnatural hues are faults.
Size
The breed exists in three sizes—large, medium, and small—each preserving the same elegance and proportions.
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Large type: males 50–65 cm, females 40–60 cm.
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Medium type: males 40–50 cm, females 36–45 cm.
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Small type: males 25–40 cm, females 25–35 cm.
Weight varies from 4 to 25 kg, proportional to height, without excessive heaviness or thinness. Regardless of size, all must display harmony, strength, and refinement with fluid lines and graceful movement.
Faults
Faults include deviations from the standard that do not alter breed type but detract from general impression: overly light or coarse build, short or heavy neck, narrow chest, weak back, incorrect limb proportions, excessive angulation, weak musculature, sparse pigmentation, or small hair patches on the body. Behavioral issues like shyness, nervousness, or overexcitability are considered temperament faults.
Disqualifying Faults
Aggressiveness, fearfulness, or lack of human contact; incorrect bite (overshot, undershot, jaw asymmetry); presence of excessive coat or lack of characteristic smooth skin; absence of pigmentation on the nose, lips, eyelids, or nails; blue or yellow eyes, heterochromia; curly or dense coat; tail curled over the back; any untypical or artificially altered color (including solid white or unnatural patterns); deformities or surgical corrections to hide defects.
Important Notes
The Peruvian Hairless Dog is a unique breed preserving its ancient heritage and natural adaptation to the South American climate. Its hairlessness is a defining trait, not a defect. Small hair patches on the head, tail, or limbs are acceptable if they do not distort the appearance. Evaluation emphasizes anatomical harmony, skin condition, and mental stability. Artificial cosmetic alterations are prohibited. Health, naturalness, temperament, and breed type are the primary criteria.
Conclusion
The Peruvian Hairless Dog symbolizes the harmony of nature and ancient culture. Its unique appearance, intelligence, sensitivity, and loyalty make it not only rare but truly special. A balanced, intellectual companion with a gentle character and deep emotional connection to humans, the breed combines exotic beauty with endurance and devotion—an embodiment of natural elegance and timeless nobility.
