When talking about the Peruvian hairless dog, Viringo dog, Peruvian dog or Calato dog, its absence of fur stands out, being a of the few hairless dog breeds. With very ancient roots, this animal is already represented in artifacts found in pre-Inca archaeological sites, being very important in those societies of yesteryear.
This curious breed of dog has experienced moments of decline with the introduction of European breeds in South America. However, it is recognized as a national heritage by the Congress of the Republic of Peru. For this reason, and for its beauty and curiosities, on our site we will learn more about it and why choose a viringo as a companion, especially if you suffer from any type of allergy related to the coat or skin of the dog, since It is one of the most hypoallergenic dogs. Discover all about the Peruvian dog or Peruvian hairless dog, below.
Origin of the Peruvian dog
The Peruvian hairless dog or viringo dog is a native of the pre-Inca civilizations, since there is much existing archaeological evidence that date its appearance in the year 500 a. In fact, mummified have even been found in the tombs of the nobles of that time. The Incas called it Allqu and it also received the name of Kaclla. Other denominations are orchid dog, Chinese dog, Inca, chimoc, tai-tai, pila, pelón, yagua, gala, chono, vikingo or calato.
In these cultures the Peruvian dog played different roles, but one of the most striking was that participated in different ceremonies and rituals taken to carried out by healers and shamans, since it was believed that these animals had healing properties What's more, when one of them died, his body was used according to need. For example, it was believed that his blood benefited those who suffered from asthma, in addition to other beliefs such as that black viringos guided the souls of the deceased on their journey to the afterlife.
With the arrival of European dogs, the Peruvian hairless dog breed was relegated to oblivion, preserving itself thanks to the local farmerscontinued to keep it due to its therapeutic purposes. For example, they argued that contact with them helped with rheumatism because they have a higher body temperature. For this reason, in addition to the consumption of its meat as food in some places or the fact that many considered its lack of hair as an unsightly factor, the breed has been on the verge of extinctionrepeatedly. However, today it seems to have come back and little by little it is expanding to other continents, so if we ask ourselves where the Peruvian dog lives, the truth is that it can do so anywhere in the world.
Characteristics of the Peruvian dog
Of slender and elegant bearing, the Peruvian Hairless Dog has a broad head, which is somewhat thinner as it approaches the snout. If we make a description of the Peruvian dog, we see that in his face his eyes are dark and round, hypersensitive to light and with thick and wrinkled lips. The Viringo's skin is soft and supple, pinkish in color with or without spots, and delicate compared to other furry breeds.
Hairless, this being the most outstanding characteristic of the Peruvian dog, although there may be specimens thathave remnants of hair on the head, at the tips of the extremities, the tip of the tail and even some scattered hairs on the back. All this is due to a recessive gene from the litter.
Another characteristic of the Viringo dog is that can be of three sizes, both speaking of males and females, although these usually be smaller in size than them:
- Small size: 4 to 8 kg and between 25 and 40 cm in height.
- Medium size: 8 to 12 kg, 40 to 50 cm tall.
- Large size: 12 to 25 kg, 50 to 65 cm tall.
Colors of the Peruvian dog
The range of colors of the Peruvian Hairless Dog is very variable It can be uniform or with pink spots on any part of the body, It includes from black with different shades such as slate black, elephant black, bluish black, to brown, which goes from dark to light blonde, going through the entire range of grays.
You can consult other breeds of hairless dogs in this post on our site that we suggest.
Peruvian Hairless Dog Character
Viringo dogs are docile, intelligent and calm animals They are usually trusting and affectionate with their guardians, although they are more cautious with strangers. In this way, the character of the Peruvian hairless dog stands out for being affectionate with its trusted humans. Likewise, gets along with both children and other animals He adapts very well to life in a flat. In this sense, it should be noted that, due to its delicate skin, it must live indoors and, therefore, it is not advisable to house it outdoors without any type of protection or a deficient one.
His role as a guardian in the story is due to his attentive and protective nature, but don't let this confuse us, since it doesn't It is an aggressive animal. As with other dog breeds, the Peruvian dog does not attack except in extreme situations, being a mentally balanced and peaceful animal
Peruvian Hairless Dog Care
Due to its absence of hair to protect it from inclement weather such as rain, sun or cold and heat, a series of precautions must be taken.
- If the Peruvian dog is going to be exposed to the sun's rays: it is necessary to apply sunscreen, especially if you go out during the middle of the day, when the sun's rays are strongest, to avoid burns and irritation.
- If, on the other hand, you are going to live in a cold climate: we have to warm the dog peruvian, since it does not have a layer of hair that allows it to maintain its body heat, it is more sensitive to hypothermia. To keep your skin he althy, it is recommended to moisturize it with creams and oils whose use is approved by our veterinarian. How do I know if my dog is cold? Feel free to read this article to find out the answer.
On the other hand, and continuing with the basic care of the Peruvian hairless dog, it is strictly necessary to give the dog daily walks, since lack of exercise can lead to stress and anxiety. However, he is not a hyperactive animal and, therefore, with these walks and play sessions inside and outside the home he will remain he althy, calm and balanced. In addition, it is necessary to offer an adequate and nutritious diet, which promotes skin he alth and prevents obesity.
You can take a look at this article on Anxiety in dogs: symptoms and solutions in this post on our site that we suggest.
Peruvian Hairless Dog Education
Being curious and intelligent animals their education is facilitated. Special attention must be paid at the time of the walk, as some details must be taken into account to prevent the animal from being anxious and nervous. To do this, we recommend consulting the article How to walk a dog correctly? His possible overprotective behavior with his own, which can cause him to be somewhat surly when dealing with strangers or someone new arrives on his territory, should also be addressed. For this it is essential to take care of your socialization
Finally, we recommend always using the positive reinforcement to train the Peruvian Hairless Dog, as we would do with any other dog, since that way we will obtain better results and we will be able to keep the animal stimulated.
How to properly socialize a puppy? Find out the answer to this question, here.
He alth of the Peruvian dog
The absence of hair in Peruvian dogs, caused by a genetic "fault" called ectodermal hypoplasia syndrome, has a series of consequences, since it lacks the protection that most dogs have against in the middle, his fur. This in itself predisposes it to various skin and respiratory conditions, however, it is not the only factor, since the high inbreeding of the breed exposes it to suffering different genetic ailments and diseases, the most common being those related to teeth, such as malformations or abnormal tooth loss. In addition, he is prone to eye problems.
When it comes to skin, Peruvian hairless dogs are very sensitive, they can suffer sunburn, irritation and allergies in including allergies to other dogs and cats. For all these reasons, it is essential to carry out correct preventive medicine, going to the veterinarian to carry out periodic examinations, following the schedule of vaccinations and deworming.
Where to adopt a Peruvian dog?
The fact that the Peruvian dog or Peruvian hairless dog is a dog of South American origin does not mean that we cannot find it in protectoras or animal associationsTherefore, the best way to have this non-furry companion in your family is to adopt it in a kennel or shelter Many people do not They feel a special predilection for this breed of dog due to its absence of hair, but this does not mean that they can be less loved or less recipients of care. Both in an animal association and in a shelter, kennel or shelter you can find dogs with similar characteristics to the Peruvian dog or even some crossing of the hairless dog from Peru with another breed.
