Hairless Dog Breeds That Make the Best Lap-Dogs

Are hairless dogs a little…weird? Yep, but what these nearly naked dogs lack in fur, they make up for with bold, people-loving personalities. And you might be surprised to learn that hairless dog breeds are not always completely bald. It actually varies by breed, but most naked dog breeds have at least a small amount of hair on their bodies.

But even with a bit of fur, these bald pups require less brushing and less vacuuming than their furry counterparts. This helps make them a bit better for folks suffering from minor allergies. But because they don’t have fur to protect them, they require extra care that other breeds don’t. Could a hairless dog be right for you? Here’s everything you need to know about hairless dog breeds.

How many types of hairless dogs are there?

Out of approximately 400 dog breeds worldwide, only about eight are hairless. Some of these naked dog breeds are extremely rare, including the Argentine Pila Dog, Jonangi, Hairless Khala, and Abyssinian Sand Terrier (who were once referred to as “Egyptian hairless dogs”). You’ll probably never come across one of those breeds, but four mainstream hairless dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club are more common. These include the American Hairless Terrier, Chinese Crested, Peruvian Inca Orchid, and Xoloitzcuintli. 

It’s also possible to come across genetic offshoots of coated breeds, such as the so-called “hairless Chihuahua” (not an officially recognized breed) or hairless mixed-breed dogs that were born with spontaneous genetic mutations that cause baldness. It’s even possible to find hairless breeds available for adoption in animal shelters and through rescue groups.

Types of hairless dogs

The AKC recognizes four hairless dog breeds, all of which come from different parts of the world.

1. Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-eats-queent-lee) is also known as the Mexican Hairless Dog. This ancient breed evolved naturally in Mexico more than 3,500 years ago, dating back to the time of the Aztecs. Xolos are almost entirely bald, though they might sport a small amount of short, coarse hair on the top of their head, on their feet and on the last third of the tail. The skin of the Xolo is tough and smooth, and may form wrinkles on the head. Coated Xoloitzcuintli dogs are covered in short, straight hair. The Xolo comes in three sizes. People who prefer small dog breeds might like the toy or miniature-size Xolo. If you long for a large breed, the standard Xolo is the biggest of all the bald dog breeds. Xolos are very loyal and affectionate with their families, but are generally aloof with strangers. Alert and protective, Xolos are good watchdogs.

Weight: 10 to 55 pounds

Height: 10 to 23 inches

Color: Typically a dark, uniform color in black, gray black, slate, red, liver, or bronze

Life span: 13 to 18 years

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2. Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested is such an ancient breed that no one knows for sure exactly when or where it originated. It’s possible that the ancestors of the Chinese Crested came from Africa, but we do know that the breed was refined into its modern form in China. The Chinese Crested is partially hairless. The body, legs and face are completely bald, but the head, legs and tail are covered in soft, silky hair. The naked skin is very soft and is often spotted pink. Some Chinese Crested dogs are fully coated. Also called “Powderpuffs,” these cute dogs require more brushing than naked Chinese Cresteds, but the hair does not shed very much if at all. 

Fine-boned, elegant and lively, the small Chinese Crested can live in most environments, including apartments. This breed also travels well. Charming, playful and active, Chinese Cresteds are great companions and wonderful playmates for gentle children. 

Weight: 8 to 12 pounds

Height: 11 to 13 inches

Color: Any color or combination of colors

Life span: 13 to 18 years 

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3. American Hairless Terrier

The American Hairless Terrier is essentially a naked Rat Terrier. In 1972, a bald female puppy was born into a litter of Rat Terriers in Louisiana. When this puppy grew up, she was used to develop a new breed. American Hairless Terrier puppies are born with full coats (known as a birth coat), but the hair begins to fall out within a few weeks of birth until the puppies are completely hairless by eight to 10 weeks of age. Coated American Hairless Terriers have a short, smooth, dense coat.

Known for being good playmates for respectful children, the American Hairless Terrier is active, alert, and curious. If you have a rodent problem, the American Hairless Terrier can be a great asset. Like their Rat Terrier cousins, the breed naturally sniffs out vermin, such as mice, rats, and gophers.

Weight: 12 to 28 pounds

Height: 12 to 16 inches

Color: Any color or combination of colors other than albino or merle

Life span: 14 to 16 years

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4. Peruvian Inca Orchid

Like the Xoloitzcuintli, the Peruvian Inca Orchid originated naturally without human intervention. The breed is very ancient, with images of Peruvian Inca Orchids depicted on pottery dating back to 750 AD. The Peruvian Inca Orchid’s skin is smooth, soft, and elastic. Some dogs may have short hair on the head and vestiges of hair on the lower tail and feet, as well as a few hairs on the face and body. The coated variety is covered in hair that is short or medium length, with feathering on the neck, ears, and body.

Peruvian Inca Orchids are very loyal and affectionate with their human family, though they are usually wary of strangers. They are very alert and make good watchdogs. These sighthounds instinctively chase anything that moves, so take care to keep small pets safe around them.  

Weight: 12 to 28 pounds

Height: 12 to 16 inches

Color: Any color; may be uniform or with unpigmented areas

Life span: 14 to 16 years

What causes a dog to be hairless?

All hairless dog breeds are the result of spontaneous genetic mutations that cause puppies to be born bald. Some breeds, such as the Xoloitzcuintli and Peruvian Inca Orchid, evolved naturally. Others were created when breeders were taken with a unique-looking hairless puppy and decided to purposefully breed them in order to pass the genes on. 

Interestingly, not all hairless-breed puppies born in a litter are bald. Due to genetics, some puppies will be hairless and some will have full coats. Coated dogs are just as sweet and adorable as their bald siblings, and they play a valuable role in breeding programs because they help to keep the breed’s health robust.

Are hairless dogs hypoallergenic?

When you hear the term “hypoallergenic,” you probably picture a dog who doesn’t cause any allergies at all. However, no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic. Some breeds, including hairless dog breeds, might be less likely to cause a reaction in allergic people, but this varies depending on the individual dog and human. If you suffer from dog allergies, it’s important to spend time with adult hairless dogs of the same breed to determine if you will have a reaction or not. 

Caring for a hairless dog

Other than the Chinese Crested, which has a little bit of hair to comb, more hairless dogs don’t need to be brushed. However, bald dog breeds require special care to keep them healthy. 

Skin care

Hairless dogs generally need more bathing than coated dogs because their skin can get very greasy without all that fur to distribute the skin’s natural oils. How often a hairless dog needs to be bathed varies greatly among breeds and individual dogs. Some dogs do better with frequent baths, and others require less frequent bathing. Always use a gentle, moisturizing shampoo to bathe a hairless dog. Some hairless dogs also benefit from a dog-safe lotion applied to the skin to keep it soft. Talk to your veterinarian for advice on how best to care for your hairless dog’s skin. 

Sun exposure

For most dogs, their coat prevents the damaging rays of the sun from reaching their skin. Hairless dogs do not have that defense because their skin is fully exposed. Try to limit sun exposure during the hottest parts of the day, or keep your hairless dog in a shady area. If you do head out into the sun, use sunscreen to protect their skin from sunburn. Don’t use human sunscreen; it might contain ingredients that are not safe for dogs. Choose a sunscreen formulated especially for dogs.  

Warmth

Bald dog breeds get chilled easily, and many naked dogs enjoy wearing sweaters and other clothes year-round. Be especially mindful of your hairless dog’s warmth in winter. If you feel cold, your hairless dog is probably even colder. Hairless dogs need a warm winter coat when going outside, and sweaters and warm blankets and beds indoors. Most hairless dogs prefer to stay warm by cuddling in your lap or snuggling with you under the blankets.  

Dental care

The gene that causes hairlessness in dogs can also cause dental abnormalities. Brush your hairless dog’s teeth daily with a pet-safe toothpaste, and schedule yearly dental checkups with your veterinarian to stay on top of any problems before they get out of hand.

References

 The bald and the beautiful: hairlessness in domestic dog breeds

The inheritance and breeding results of hairless descendants of Mexican hairless

The dental phenotype of hairless dogs with FOXI3

Caring for the Hairless Dog

This Hairless Mexican Dog Has a Storied, Ancient Past

AKC - Xoloitzcuintli

AKC - American Hairless Terrier

AKC - Chinese Crested

AKC - Peruvian Inca Orchid