Peruvian Inca Orchid

The Peruvian Inca Orchid dog is a sighthound that can be hairless or coated, although most of them are hairless. They can be small or medium dogs, from 9 to 55 pounds. They are highly affectionate and devoted family dogs who are suspicious of strangers. They are agile, intelligent, and elegant dogs.

Peruvian Inca Orchid Breed Overview

The Peruvian Inca Orchid dog breed is outgoing with people they know. They can be independent thanks to their history as watchdogs. This breed was originally an ancient Spanish dog and was refined in Peru. They were considered lucky dogs in Peruvian cultures, and their urine and feces were even used in medicine. They were brought to America in the 1960s but still remain quite rare. Their American name hints at the dog’s origins and the Incan civilization’s reverence for nature.

Peruvian Inca Orchid Facts

• Descended from an ancient Spanish breed
• Refined in Peru
• They were brought to America in the 1960s
• They are almost always hairless, although a coated variety exists
• They go by other names, such as the Inca Hairless Dog, Peruvian Hairless Dog, and Perros Flora (Flower Dog)
• Pre-Incan pottery depicts a similar style of dog

How to Care for Your Peruvian Inca Orchid

Here’s how to care for your Peruvian Inca Orchid dog, including nutrition and feeding, health and wellness, grooming and hygiene, and living with the breed.

Nutrition & Feeding

What to Feed a Peruvian Inca Orchid

This breed comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. The best dog food for them will be tailored to their size, as well as their activity level. For example, a smaller Peruvian Inca Orchid could eat Purina Pro Plan Small Adult Breed food, while a medium-sized and more active one could eat Purina Pro Plan Sport food. They should be fed a formula high in quality protein, with moderate carbohydrates and good, healthy fats.

How Much to Feed a Peruvian Inca Orchid?

The amount of food is determined by your Peruvian Inca Orchid’s size, activity level, phase of life, such as puppy, adult, or senior, and the type of food they are eating. Because the size of this dog varies, it’s best to talk to your vet or use a tool like the Purina Feeding Calculator to get the most accurate amount. Feed adult dogs twice a day during scheduled feeds, and keep in mind that this dog is lean by nature.

Treats & Supplements

Low-calorie treats can be used in conjunction with positive reinforcement training. Treats should not exceed more than 10% of your dog’s overall daily calories. Your Peruvian Inca Orchid may or may not benefit from supplements, which is something you can talk to your vet about. They might recommend glucosamine for joints, omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health, or probiotics for gut health.

Health & Wellness

Veterinary Care

Find a vet and stick to routine checkups to keep your Peruvian Inca Orchid healthy and up-to-date on things like parasite prevention and vaccine schedules. These dogs, especially the hairless variety, can have skin issues, something to discuss with your vet. They can also advise you on dental care. Peruvian Inca Orchids often have incomplete teeth, which your vet can monitor. Vets can also advise on spaying or neutering your dog.

Peruvian Inca Orchid Enrichment & Exercise Needs

This breed is a sighthound and is athletic and agile. They love to exercise their bodies and minds, including running off-leash, doing agility courses, lure-coursing, and scentwork. Enrichment ideas include puzzles, games, training sessions, and socialization for your Peruvian Inca Orchid dog.

Understanding Your Peruvian Inca Orchid’s Behavior

Peruvian Inca Orchid dogs are alert when it comes to strangers and are natural watchdogs. This might lead to over-alertness and behaviors like excessive barking. Work on it with them through training and socialization. They are sighthounds, which means they have instincts to chase. You will have to introduce other dogs and family members slowly, and know that when it comes to small animals like rabbits, gerbils, cats, and small dogs, their instincts might make coexistence difficult. This is something you can manage with a trainer who is familiar with sighthounds and can reinforce good training habits like recall. Their independent nature means that they can be very stubborn and less eager to please you; consistent training is key. The hairless variety might want physical closeness and can develop separation anxiety. Curb this by offering plenty of mental and physical stimulation and a soft, warm bed.

What to Expect as Your Peruvian Inca Orchid Ages

A healthy Peruvian Inca Orchid dog can live to be 12 to 14 years old if well taken care of. They should go to the vet regularly to make sure they are maintaining a healthy physique. You can switch them to a senior dog food to help them stay mentally sharp and adjust their calorie intake as they slow down; your vet will advise you on when to do this. Maintaining the appropriate weight will be essential in your dog’s later years.

Grooming & Hygiene

Skin & Coat Health

The hairless variety, which is the more prevalent variety, will have unique grooming needs. These dogs are considered low-allergy and need to be checked frequently for skin irritations, dryness, and sunburns. You can use dog-safe, fragrance-free moisturizers to help hydrate their skin. Baths can be given occasionally, or you can clean them with a vet-approved regimen. When outside in strong sunlight, you can use dog-safe sunscreen to protect them. If you have a coated Peruvian Inca Orchid dog, they can be brushed frequently and bathed as needed.

Ear, Paw & Dental Care

Your Peruvian Inca Orchid has less skin protection than other breeds, so check them frequently for cuts, scrapes, and signs of infection. They may benefit from booties to prevent burning their paw pads in extreme cold or heat. Trim their nails frequently to prevent painful cracking and splitting.  Check their ears for signs of infection, and wipe them with vet-approved wipes regularly. This breed can have missing teeth or dental issues, so you must introduce a dental routine that includes brushing teeth and/or dental chews early and stick to the schedule to prolong the life of your dog.

Anal Gland Care

Depending on the size of your Peruvian Inca Orchid, they may or may not be able to express their anal glands naturally. Sometimes, when they can’t do it themselves, a blockage called an abscess happens. This will require professional help from a vet. You’ll know it’s time to call someone if your dog is emitting a foul-smelling odor, straining to go to the bathroom, scooting across the floor, or licking themselves excessively.

Living With a Peruvian Inca Orchid

Living Space

Even the smallest size of Peruvian Inca Orchid dogs enjoys lots of physical activity. They are sighthounds that have chasing instincts ingrained in them, so access to a secure, well-fenced yard is ideal in a rural or suburban setting. The smaller size could do okay in a more urban setting with plenty of access to the outdoors; without it, these dogs can become easily bored and destructive. The hairless variety will enjoy spurts of activity outside and then will want to curl up near their owners. They will need a dedicated space to get themselves warm, like a soft bed.

Socialization

Naturally on alert and suspicious, the Peruvian Inca Orchid dog will rely on socialization to get them used to unfamiliar places and people. Introduce it early and practice it often. If you introduce them to other dogs properly, it will likely go well, but smaller pets like cats and rodents might need more supervision and a more secure environment to be introduced. They love to be with their families, so families with no children or with older children who can participate in exercise and training are a good fit for them.

Climate Considerations

This breed does much better in temperate to warmer climates than cold ones, especially the hairless variety, which has no insulation. They have a very low tolerance for extreme cold and might even need protection like coats in milder weather to warm up. In hotter areas you’ll need to watch out for sunburn and protect them properly with protective clothing or dog-safe sunscreen. Give them plenty of shade and access to water, and try to exercise them during the coolest parts of the day. Hairless Peruvian Inca Orchids can catch a chill easily, so make sure they are dried well and warmed up after exposure to rain or wind.

Potential Challenges

Elegant and devoted, the Peruvian Inca Orchid dog makes a good family dog for families that are active. If they don’t get enough stimulation, they can become destructive. The hairless variety needs lots of attention when it comes to protecting their skin and keeping them warm. Limit their exposure to harsh temperatures, and take preventive measures to make sure they don’t catch a chill or overheat. Their high prey drive can make living with small animals difficult, but this can be worked on with recall training and socialization. They should be seen by a vet regularly, as they have dental anomalies, like missing teeth, and need careful weight management to keep their joints healthy.

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