Peruvian hairless dog

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruvian_Hairless_Dog

This is an ancient breed. Although it is often perceived to be an Incan dog because it is known to have been kept during the Inca-imperium, they were also kept as pets in pre-Inca cultures from the Peruvian coastal zone. Ceramic hairless dogs from the Chimú, Moche, and Vicus culture are well known. The main area of the Inca imperium (the mountains) is too cold for the natural existence of the dogs. The Spanish conquest of Peru nearly caused the extinction of the breed.

The dogs survived in rural areas, where the people believed in their magical forces. In recent years, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) accepted the breed and adopted an official breed standard. Before that time, in the United States, some enthusiasts created another type of Peruvian hairless dog, the Peruvian Inca Orchid, which has never been officially recognized by a major all-breed kennel club.

Appearence

According to the FCI breed standard, the most important aspect of its appearance is its hairlessness. The dog may have short hair on top of its head, on its feet, and on the tip of its tail. In Peru, breeders tend to prefer completely hairless dogs. The full-coated variety is not recognized as a valid breed variation for show dogs. Coated Peruvian Hairless Dog Grande Coated Peruvian Hairless Dog Grande The color of skin can be chocolate-brown, elephant grey, copper, or mottled.

Albinism is not allowed. The eye color is linked to the skin color. It's always brown, but dogs with light colors can have clearer eyes than darker-skinned dogs. Peruvian Hairless Dogs vary in size: * Miniature (or pequeño), 25 to 40 cm (10 to 16 inches) * Medium (or medio), 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 inches) * Large (or grande), 50 to 65 cm (20 to 26 inches) The smallest weighs from 4 kg (9 lb) and the largest up to 25 kg (55 lb). Some kennel clubs consider the three to be separate breeds. The dogs should be slim and elegant, with the impression of force and harmony, without being coarse. The ears should be candleflame shaped and erect with the possibility to lay flat. Proportions of height (at withers) to length (withers to base of tail) are 1:1.