You may be more used to seeing dogs with fur, but did you know there's a wealth of dogs without the fluff too? Hairless dogs are adorable in their own right and offer perfect cuddles thanks to their soft skin and warm bodies. Find out more about hairless dog breeds, here.
If you're looking for a unique pup that'll turn heads everywhere you go, a hairless dog breed may be just what you're after. Where these canines lack the typical fur that's commonly depicted on our four-legged friends, they're just as adorable or playful as their fluffy counterparts!
In fact, hairless dogs are super silky, often very warm to the touch and are known to radiate warmth, so they make the most perfect snuggle companions! Keep reading to find out more about which hairless dog breeds are out there and the special requirements that come with caring for a pup without the fluff.
Caring for hairless dog breeds
Some owners may consider getting a hairless dog thinking that they require far less attention on the grooming front, but this is not always true. Where they do have a lot less fur to brush (if any), their skin still requires plenty of care.
Interestingly, the skin of hairless dogs needs similar care to humans and will need regular baths to keep the skin clean and free of dirt, moisturising creams to prevent dryness and sun creams to prevent sunburn. Hairless dog breeds can even develop dog acne too! But don't put any creams recommended for human use on your dog as these may contain chemicals which will irritate their skin or they may be toxic. Speak to your veterinarian for advice on the best creams to use for your hairless dog.
It's also important to note that dogs without hair are very sensitive to the cold and wet so you'll need to ensure that you get them a good wardrobe full of raincoats and dog coats to keep them warm and dry during walks.
Now you know how to care for them, here's our round up of our top 5 hairless dog breeds:
These hairless dogs are highly intelligent and playful and make great family pets, and they're currently more popular in the US than in the UK!
2. Peruvian Inca Orchid
The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a sighthound from the Andes and an incredibly unique looking hairless dog breed! Boasting a very sleek appearance, they come in a wide variety of stunning skin colours and usually don a mohawk atop their elegant heads too. When it comes to their characteristics, they're known for being a little nervous at first but when they bond, they bond for life and are fiercely loyal to their people. Peruvian Inca Orchids excel at obedience and agility as they're super active, highly intelligent and easy to train too!
Fun fact: Their name literally translates to "dog without vestments" or "naked dog".
3. Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog)
The Xoloitzcuintli, pronounced show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee, is a hairless dog breed from Mexico. They can be both coated and hairless and come in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard.
What's more, the breed's roots are steeped in legend - they're thought to be the ancient Aztec dog of the gods and can be traced back at least 3000 years. Today, they're incredibly rare and there are fewer than 1,000 left in the US.
Fun fact: It's said that their forehead will wrinkle when they're deep in thought!
4. Chinese Crested
If you think the Chinese Crested looks like a movie star with their elegant bodies and luscious tufts of hair on their head and legs, you'd be right! This hairless dog has been featured in many films throughout the years including 102 Dalmatians, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Cats & Dogs, just to name a few. They're most commonly hairless as this gene is most dominant but any litter can feature fluffy puppies (known as powderpuff) due to a recessive gene.
Fun fact: Despite the glamorous lives they lead today, they were actually originally bred for catching rats on Chinese trading ships.
5. Argentine Pila
There's been much debate about the Argentine Pila and whether it's a distinct breed or just a variety of the Xoloitzcuintli or the Peruvian Inca Orchid. Much like the latter, it's thought that this hairless dog breed's roots trace back to the Incas and was gifted to Argentina in a bid to strengthen their political relationship. They come in a variety of sizes from small right up to large and are incredibly good natured and playful, so they make excellent pets!
That's our list of our top 5 hairless dog breeds! Prefer your pups a little fuzzier? Check out our article on our favourite big and fluffy dog breeds instead.
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