The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a dog breed developed in the South American country of Peru. It is classified as a sighthound, which means that it is a hound that uses its sight for hunting purposes. The dog breed also goes by the acronym PIO, which means “Peruvian Inca Orchid.” The Peruvian Inca Orchid made its first appearance on northern Peruvian pottery in 750 AD. Northern Peru, where Moche culture thrived, later became part of the Inca Empire, which began to emerge in the early 13th century and lasted until Spanish conquest in the early 16th century. The PIO became the dog of the Incas, and even after the Conquistadors conquered Peru, the people were able to preserve the breed from extinction.
The Peruvian Inca Orchid are small to medium sized dogs that are hairless. They have lean, slender bodies and long, slim heads. Their muzzles are long and pointy and their ears are large, triangular and erect. This breed is easily affected by sunburn or cold weather. They need to be protected from the weather. There are three sizes of the Peruvian Inca Orchid. The small PIOs are around 9.75 to 15.75 inches tall at the shoulder, and they weigh around 8.5 to 17.5 pounds. Medium PIOs stand at around 15.75 to 19.75 inches tall, with a weight range of 17.5 to 26.5 pounds. Large PIOs are around 19.75 to 25.75 inches tall, and they weigh around 26.5 to 55 pounds. The dog breed generally has little hair, if at all; some dogs are completely hairless. However, it has hair growing on the top of the head, and some dogs have wisps of hair on their thick, leathery ears. When there is a coat, it can be solid colored, heavily marked with spots of any color, or mottled in any combination with a pink background. Another distinctive trait of the Peruvian Inca Orchid is its dark, round eyes, which tend to squint in the sunlight due to over-sensitivity.
Personality
The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a friendly, intelligent and bright. They are very affectionate and loving and friendly towards gentle children. They need to be taken out for daily walks but don’t have very high exercise requirements. They are sometimes stubborn. The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a quick-witted, calm, and intelligent dog that is loyal and protective of its family. It is also good with children and other dogs, although it should be supervised around the former. Also, the PIO should be kept away from smaller pets, since as a sighthound it can easily mistake them for prey.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 11-12 years |
| Nicknames: | PIO, Peruvian Hairless Dog, Moonflower Dog, Perro Flora, Perro sin pelo del Peru, Al’co Calato, Inca Hairless Dog, Oeruvian Inca Orchid |
Peruvian Inca Orchid Build Information
The Peruvian Inca Orchid are small to medium sized dogs that are hairless. They have lean, slender bodies and long, slim heads. Their muzzles are long and pointy and their ears are large, triangular and erect. This breed is easily affected by sunburn or cold weather. They need to be protected from the weather. There are three sizes of the Peruvian Inca Orchid. The small PIOs are around 9.75 to 15.75 inches tall at the shoulder, and they weigh around 8.5 to 17.5 pounds. Medium PIOs stand at around 15.75 to 19.75 inches tall, with a weight range of 17.5 to 26.5 pounds. Large PIOs are around 19.75 to 25.75 inches tall, and they weigh around 26.5 to 55 pounds. The dog breed generally has little hair, if at all; some dogs are completely hairless. However, it has hair growing on the top of the head, and some dogs have wisps of hair on their thick, leathery ears. When there is a coat, it can be solid colored, heavily marked with spots of any color, or mottled in any combination with a pink background. Another distinctive trait of the Peruvian Inca Orchid is its dark, round eyes, which tend to squint in the sunlight due to over-sensitivity.
| Size: | Small |
Behaviour and Personality
The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a friendly, intelligent and bright. They are very affectionate and loving and friendly towards gentle children. They need to be taken out for daily walks but don’t have very high exercise requirements. They are sometimes stubborn. The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a quick-witted, calm, and intelligent dog that is loyal and protective of its family. It is also good with children and other dogs, although it should be supervised around the former. Also, the PIO should be kept away from smaller pets, since as a sighthound it can easily mistake them for prey.
| Activity Level: | Very Active |
| Affection Level: | Very affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
As a dog breed with little to no hair, the Peruvian Inca Orchid requires virtually no brushing. However, because it has virtually bare skin, it has more exposure to the elements. Sunscreen should be applied on the skin for protection against the sun. The dog requires a regular wash with a gentle soap and rubbing with lotion or oil to keep the skin relatively smooth and supple. Exfoliating creams can be used to remove dead skin. PIOs with hair do not shed, and they require minimal brushing.
| Shedding: | None |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
Peruvian Inca Orchid Common Health Conditions
Due to the lack of hair and the fragility of the PIO’s skin, owners are discouraged from taking it out regularly. The dog breed’s skin is susceptible to sunburn, drying irritation, and tears from objects or other animals. Also, it is prone to developing skin and teeth problems. The average Peruvian Inca Orchid lives for 11 to 12 years.
Peruvian Inca Orchid Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The dog breed is also known as the Peruvian Hairless Dog, Moonflower Dog, Perro Flora, Perro sin pelo del Peru, Al’co Calato, and Inca Hairless Dog. Peru declared the Oeruvian Inca Orchid a “National Patrimony” in 2001. It was introduced to the United States in 1966.
| Training: | Easy to Train |
