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Hairless Dogs: Breeds, Care, and the Issue of Cruel Breeding 
Written by Dr Franziska G., Veterinarian
Hairless dogs divide opinion around the world. While some people rave about their unusual appearance, others criticise these hairless breeds. You can find out which hairless dog breeds exist, along with everything you need to know about their care and keeping, in this article.
© Masarik / stock.adobe.com
Hairless dogs come in both large and small sizes and in a wide variety of colours.
Table of contents
Hairless Dogs and Their Distinctive Appearance
They come in large and small sizes, in solid colours and spotted patterns. One thing quickly becomes clear about hairless dogs: they have no fur.
However, this does not apply to every example of the breed, as some even have a short layer of fluff or large tufts of fur on certain parts of the body. How pronounced the hairlessness is in dogs depends on genetic factors.
Missing Whiskers
The characteristic of hairlessness often relates not only to normal body hair, but also to the whiskers (also known as tactile hairs or vibrissae). These hairs perform important functions. Among other things, they help dogs orientate themselves in space and assist with various visual and sensory tasks.
Overview of Hairless Dog Breeds
There are several hairless dog breeds that differ from one another in character and appearance. The best-known hairless dogs include:
American Hairless Terrier
The American Hairless Terrier, which originates from the southern states of the USA, is the result of a cross with Rat Terriers. Most examples have no coat. However, some dogs do have eyebrows and vibrissae.
FCI recognised: no
© tikhomirovsergey / stock.adobe.com
Argentine Pila (Argentine Hairless Dog)
As the name suggests, the Argentine Pila originates from Argentina. According to Inca legends, the Argentine Pila was said to have been a gift used to strengthen relationships between different peoples.
FCI recognised: no
Chinese Crested Dog
The small Chinese Crested Dog is a lively and active dog with a long tradition. The breed is thought to date back as far as the Han dynasty between 206 BC and 220 AD.
While it has a wild mane on its head, tail and paws, the rest of the body is largely hairless.
FCI recognised: yes
© Dogs / stock.adobe.com
Ecuadorian Hairless Dog
The Ecuadorian Hairless Dog (also known as Perro Pelón Ecuatoriano) is native to Ecuador. This muscular dog can have various skin colours, although most are sand-coloured with dark markings on the ears and tail.
FCI recognised: no
Hairless Chihuahua
Although the Chihuahua is not normally a hairless breed, there are also Chihuahuas without fur. The reason for this is a genetic defect that causes impaired hair growth in affected puppies.
FCI recognised: no
Hairless Khala (Bolivian Hairless Dog)
The Hairless Khala is a hairless dog that originally comes from Bolivia. There are two different varieties of this breed, which differ in appearance:
- Hairless Khala Medio (potter dog): shorter legs and less muscle
- Hairless Khala Grande (sighthound type): long legs and strong musculature
FCI recognised: no
Jonangi
The slender Jonangi, which originates from India, has only a very short coat. Alongside its almost invisible fluff, this hairless breed is also known for its wrinkled forehead and tulip-shaped ears.
FCI recognised: no
Peruvian Hairless Dog
The Peruvian Hairless Dog only has tufts of fur on certain parts of its body – on the head and tail. However, there is also the “Peludos” variety, which has normal body hair.
FCI recognised: yes
© CELENEMILAGROS Leonid / stock.adobe.com
Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog)
This hairless breed is one of the oldest dog breeds in the Americas: the Xoloitzcuintli. The name comes from the Aztec people and means “dog of the god Xolotl”. Some dogs of this breed have a coat, but there are also hairless examples.
FCI recognised: yes
© tanipanova / stock.adobe.com
How Healthy Are Hairless Dogs?
As unusual as hairless dogs may look, their health also needs to be taken into account. Bear in mind that your dog’s hairlessness not only creates an interesting alien-like appearance, but can also bring certain health disadvantages.
The lack of normal body hair alone affects your hairless dog’s ability to regulate body temperature, which is something you need to consider not only in winter but also in summer. For example, hairless dogs have a higher risk of sunburn.
A dog coat protects four-legged friends from the cold in winter.
The Problem with Missing Whiskers
The absence of tactile hairs in particular is a major disadvantage for hairless dogs. This is because these specialised hairs play an important role in spatial orientation and the sense of touch.
In addition, tactile hairs normally protect the dog’s eyes and are important for the natural cleaning function of the ears.
Hairless dogs are therefore more prone to the following illnesses:
- Inflammation of the eyes (for example conjunctivitis)
- Skin inflammation (dermatitis)
- Ear infection (otitis)
In addition, hairless dogs often have severe dental abnormalities.
Are Hairless Dogs Considered Unethical Breeding?
Due to the health limitations associated with hairless dogs, the trait of hairlessness in dogs is considered an unethical breeding trait in many countries. For example, it is listed in a German expert report interpreting Section 11b of the Animal Welfare Act (ban on unethical breeding practices).
When breeding hairless dogs, it should also be noted that hairlessness is linked to a lethal gene factor. If two hairless dogs are bred together, the puppies are not viable.
Important to know: breeding hairless dogs is still not banned in most countries.
The Right Care for Hairless Dogs
The lack of fur initially leads many dog lovers to assume that hairless dogs are especially easy to care for. However, appearances can be deceptive, as unprotected skin naturally forms a layer of sebum that can lead to skin inflammation.
Hairless dogs therefore need regular skin care.
Tips for Caring for Your Hairless Dog
To prevent your hairless dog from suffering from inflammation, you should follow these tips:
- Wipe your hairless dog’s skin several times a week with a soft, damp cloth.
- Bathe your dog only when it is very dirty, and only use special dog shampoo.
- Protect your dog from strong sunlight in summer to avoid sunburn.
- Check your dog’s eyes and ears weekly.
If you notice signs of inflammation in your hairless dog (redness, swelling, warmth, pain), you should consult your vet at an early stage.
This article was translated using Artificial Intelligence from the original German zooplus Magazine. While the original content was authored by industry experts and reviewed by our editorial team, this automated translation has not been human-edited and is provided for informational purposes.
At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene. Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future. Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.
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