Hairless Dog Breeds: Everything You Need to Know

Finding a breed of dog with no hair or a breed of dog with no fur isn’t as rare as some people may think. There are actually 8 known breeds of “hairless” dogs that are popular among individuals who would love to adopt a dog but have allergies or other reasons why a very furry dog would be a problem. Below, you will learn more about a few of these hairless breeds and their hairless puppy offspring.

Using this information, you can make a decision on whether a hairless dog is right for you and your family or not. 

Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested is probably one of the more popular and most easily recognizable of the hairless dog breeds that we know of. You’ve probably seen this breed on a televised dog show, where their unique hairstyle and over all appearance make them stand out boldly. This breed is hairless on all areas but their head, feet, and tails. They also almost don't shed, making them a good dog for people with allergies. They have an adorable look that appears to be something straight out of the groomers but is 100% natural. 

This little hairless dog is a very affectionate and loving breed. They very much so enjoy cuddling right up with their human on the couch for some quality time. When they’re not all cuddled up with you, they are likely running around like a little ball of energy.

Xoloitzcuintli

The Xolo dog can be found with or without a fur coat, but here we are focusing on the hairless variety. The Xolo dog breed has an interesting legacy compared to many other hairless dog breeds. This particular hairless dog’s lineage dates back thousands of years, to the ancient times when the Aztec people were around in South America. 

As far as upkeep goes, the Xolo dog is rather low maintenance when it comes to grooming needs. This loyal and incredibly alert breed of dog is coveted as a great watchdog of the family home. They are incredibly protective but also have a calm and peaceful nature about them when they aren’t on guard duty.

Argentine Pila Dog

The Argentine Pila dog is a cousin of the also hairless Peruvian Inca Orchid dog. You can see their close resemblance when looking at them side by side. The most notable and coveted feature about this hairless dog is the soft delicate skin. Another interesting fact about this hairless breed is that they come in three different sizes, similar to Poodles, teacup, toy, and standard. As far as personality goes, the Argentine Pila Dog is very affectionate and playful by nature, making them great dogs for families with kids.

Abyssinian Sand Terrier

Experts have had a hard time determining where exactly this little hairless dog comes from. Some say Africa, but the jury is still out on that matter. This breed is great for a dog lover who would like a low maintenance breed of dog. They are also perfect for someone who would like to have a little workout buddy who doesn’t like to bark a lot at home. They can be found in a variety of skin tones with little to no fur to speak of.

Peruvian Inca Orchid

As its name makes clear, this breed came to be in Peru, similarly to some of its cousins. The Peruvians Inca Orchid can be found in three sizes: Small, medium, and large. This can be rather convenient for dog lovers who are looking for a hairless dog but aren't sure what size dog would best fit their lifestyle. These vigilant and hyper alert dogs are primarily used as guard dogs, but also make loving companions in the home.

Hairless Khala

It seems to be a running theme with hairless dogs, that they are fiercely protective of their owners. The Hairless Khala can be found in medium and large sizes, but the size difference is more so based on their body shape rather than their overall stature. The larger version is also known as a “gazehound”. A nickname that was given to them for their incredibly long legs and stride to match.

Conclusion

Majority of hairless dog breeds come from South America and have origins that can be traced back thousands of years to the times of ancient people such as the Incas and the Aztecs. If their interesting history doesn’t pique your interest enough, their appearance and personality traits may convince you that one of these hairless dogs is the right match for you and your family. 

Hairless dogs make excellent guard dogs, as well as household companions. Their personality may seem intimidating when they are in guard dog mode, but the truth is, most hairless dogs love their human unconditionally, and enjoy being loving and affectionate with them when not on patrol to protect their home. Owning a dog with little to no fur may seem strange to some, but they are actually very adorable and loving dogs who only want to love and protect their family. 

Are there hairless dogs?

There aren’t any entirely hairless breeds of dogs, naturally at least. Although there are a few dog breeds who have very minimal hair. They may have small patches of hair on their heads and feet. Dogs like the Chinese Crested have little to now hair on their bodies.

How much is a Xolo dog?

Depending on the breeder, the hairless Xolo dog can be anywhere from $600 to $3,000. Care needs that you may need to consider or put money into even before adopting a Xolo dog could cost upwards of $300 just in preparation.

How many hairless dog breeds are there?

There are eight hairless dog breeds that we know of at this time. These breeds include the Chinese Crested, Xolo, and Argentine Pila dog. Not all of these breeds are entirely hairless, but do have very minimal hair on their bodies.

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