The Peruvian Inca Orchid is one of the most ancient breeds of dogs which was recognized almost 3,000 years ago. They are natives of Peru and were considered very valuable during the Inca Empire which gave them their name. The most striking feature about this breed is their lack of coat or hair which sets them apart from any other breed of dog. He is very popular as a pet among city dwellers since it is easy for him to accommodate in an apartment and does not need a lot of exercise.
History and Health :
- History – The Peruvian Inca Orchid was first identified as far back as the 1st century A.D. in the villages of Peru. He stood out from other breeds of dogs due to lack of coat or hair. Because of his excellent watchdog capabilities as well as unique appearance, he became very popular as a pet. This breed was later introduced to the world through Spanish explorers who discovered it in Peru and gave it the name ‘Flower Dog’. This is the name which later developed into the name Peruvian Inca Orchid.
- Health – The lack of coat on the Peruvian Inca Orchid, which is the reason for its unique appearance, also leads to several health problems. Since the skin is unprotected by hair, it is very sensitive and easily wounded. The dog may develop acne, skin lesions or epilepsy. The skin is also very sensitive to sun and therefore this dog can’t stay out of doors during the day for long. In most dogs, several of their molar or pre-molar teeth would be missing too which leads to problems in later stages of life.
Temperament and Personality :
- Personality – The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a very lively dog who loves to play around. He can be wary of strangers or other new animals that he encounters but once he gets to know them, he is very friendly. He also loves to be the centre of attention and always craves for company. He is also intelligent and generally has a calm and easy-going temperament.
- Activity Requirements – This breed of dogs needs moderate exercise. A brisk 20-30 minutes daily walk is essential for keeping the dog healthy. This dog is known to be a couch potato and is not too eager for exercise.
- Trainability – Training these dogs requires a trainer with a gentle disposition as using harsh methods with these dogs do not work. They are intelligent dogs and are eager to keep everyone happy, so it is not very difficult to train them. However, they need a trainer who knows dog language and so are not recommended for beginners.
- Behavioural Traits – These dogs have great protective instincts and they are always alert and on their guard. They make great pets because of their friendly nature towards both humans and other animals they are familiar with. He is very lively and loves praises and attention.
Appearance and Grooming :
- Appearance – The Peruvian Inca Orchid is one of those rare breeds of dogs which are hairless. It usually has no coat or a very short coarse coat. They have a smooth skin which can look glossy with proper grooming. Their eyes are a beautiful almond shape and ears are pricked most of the time when the dog is alert but should be able to fall forward while sleeping.
- Size and Weight – This dog can be a small as well as a medium sized dog. For a small dog, the average weight is about 8-10 kgs while for a medium sized dog, the average weight would be 12-25 kgs.
- Coat and Colour – The Peruvian Inca Orchid is basically a hairless dog and therefore there is no coat. However, some dogs may have a coat but it is very short and coarse. If the dog is hairless, there may be some hair on head, legs and tail. Colour of the skin may be Black, brown, grey, white or tan.
- Grooming – The lack of hair on this dog means that the owner needs to take care of the dog’s skin rather than the coat. The dog should be kept clean by wiping down with a sponge daily and a weekly bath is recommended. Also, proper application of moisturizer and sunscreen is a must.
- Body Type – The size of the Peruvian Inca Orchid can vary a lot from small to medium. However, irrespective of the size, the dogs have a very lithe body which makes them agile and alert. The head is tapered while the tail is long. Overall, they have the appearance of a very graceful dog.
Characteristics :
- He is a very playful dog.
- He is good with other house pets if he knows them.
- He can be a good companion for kids.
- He makes a very good watchdog.
- He loves to be the centre of attention.
- His intelligence quotient is very high.
- He is apartment friendly.
- His skin is very sensitive to skin.
- He is easy to train.
- He is hypoallergenic.
Tasty Tidbits :
The Peruvian Inca Orchid is one of the most popular breeds of dogs as a house pet because of their ability to live in a small apartment as well as because of their unique looks.
Images, Pics, Photos and Pictures of Peruvian Inca Orchid :
Care :
This dog is usually prone to a lot of skin and teeth problems caused due to the lack of protective coat on his body. Owners should take care to protect him from extreme weather conditions. A sunscreen lotion should always be applied before taking him out of doors.
Feeding :
A diet of high quality dry food is ideal for this dog.
Information And Facts of Peruvian Inca Orchid :
- Full name of this dog is Peruvian Inca Orchid.
- Other names are Peruvian Hairless Dog, Perro Sin Pelo de Perú, Inca Hairless Dog, Viringo and Dielmatian.
- Its country of origin is Peru.
- It is a medium sized dog.
- It belongs to Sighthound/Pariah group of dogs according to UKC and to Hound group according to AKC.
- Average life span is 11-12 years.
- Average height of this dog is 50-65 cm but can also be as less as 30-40 cms for some dogs.
- A medium sized dog weighs 12-25 kgs but those with short height usually weight 8-10 kgs.
- This dog comes in a variety of colours like chocolate brown, elephant grey, copper, tan or mottled.
- A Peruvian Inca Orchid puppy would cost between 400 to 600 USD.
- This dog has moderate exercise requirements, i.e. 20-30 minutes of brisk walk/ jog.
- This breed is very popular as a watchdog due to their cautious and loyal nature along with high sensitivity.
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