There’s no doubt that hairless dog breeds are unique. Unlike their furry counterparts, these pups come with way less vacuuming and grooming but just as much love and affection. And while it’s easy to assume that hairless pups are more suitable for people with allergies, the American Kennel Club reminds us that before you go adopting one, it’s important to note that people with dog allergies react to the dog’s dander and saliva, not just their coats, so a hairless canine may not solve all your problems in that department. For those who just want a pooch, sans all the shedding, check out the five hairless dog breeds below.
family
5 Hairless Dog Breeds That’ll Standout at The Dog Park
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story.
You can learn more about that process here.
Caring for Hairless Dogs
Before we dive into the breeds, we need to point out that less hair doesn’t mean less maintenance. When you choose to purchase a hairless dog, you must be cognizant of the fact that they may need a little extra TLC because they don’t have the protective barrier that fur provides.
Hair wards off the elements—extreme cold or extreme heat. So, take care to apply sunscreen on your pup during the summer. We suggest Epi-Pet’s Sun Protector Spray for Pets, but the pros at the Tufts Your Dog state that a pediatric sunscreen—like Thinkbaby’s Baby Sunscreen Natural Sunblock—with an SPF above 50 will also do the trick. In the colder months, make sure you outfit your dog in warm clothing to prevent illness. Be sure to frequently bathe your dog and use a moisturizing shampoo—such as Burt's Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour and Honey—to prevent skin infections.
1. american Hairless Terrier
Height: 12-16 inches
Weight: 5.5- 26 pounds
Physical attributes: Small and brawny with coat colors including pink and grey, white and apricot, black, white and black, just to name a few.
Native to Louisiana, American hairless terriers carry themselves with the whimsy of a true terrier. They’re spunky, smart, active and very playful so they make excellent family pets. While a majority of these pups are born hairless, some do have a very short, fine coat that may not agree with allergy sufferers.
2. xoloitzcuintli
Height: 10-14 inches (toy); 14-18 inches (miniature); 18-23 inches (standard)
Weight: 10-15 pounds (toy); 15-30 pounds (miniature); 30-55 pounds (standard)
Physical attributes: Wrinkles on forehead; muscular body; hairless or coated.
Pronounced show-low-eats-queent-lee or Xolo (show-low) for short, you can find this dog in toy, miniature or standard sizes. Uber-affectionate and supremely loyal, Xolos are some of the most vigilant watchdogs. This ancient breed has been around for 3,000 years—dating back to the days of the Aztec empire—and comes in dark colors, ranging from black, gray-black, slate, to red, liver, or bronze. Hairless Xolos have tough, smooth, close-fitting skin, while coated Xolos are covered by a short, flat coat.
3. peruvian Inca Orchid
Height: 10-16 inches (small); 16-20inches (medium); 20-26 inches (large)
Weight: 9-18 pounds (small); 18-27 pounds (medium); 27-55 pounds (large)
Physical attributes: Long, lean body; low tail; smooth skin
One look at those pointy ears and deep brown eyes and you’ll want to adopt one of these graceful dogs in a heartbeat. Originally from Peru, these pups were kept as companion dogs, so they’re naturally very attached to their humans to this day. Peruvian Inca orchids are quite agile, which means they need some frequent exercise to keep them happy and healthy. Some varieties will have hair on their head, paws or tip of their tail, but those are far and few between.
4. chinese Crested
Height: 11-13 inches
Weight: 5-12 pounds
Physical attributes: Small, slender body; spotted pink skin; tufts of hair
Remember Krull, the dog Andie gifted Ben in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days? Yup, he was a Chinese crested dog. These teeny pups’ X-factor is not only in their adorable size, but the peculiar placement of the little bit of hair they do have. Chinese crested dogs have feathery tufts of hair on their heads, paws and tails. These dogs are super active and love to frolic around, so be sure to give them plenty of time outdoors.
5. hairless Chihuahua
Height: 6-9 inches
Weight: 4-6 pounds
Physical attributes: Small, petite body; smooth skin.
Fun fact: Hairless chihuahuas are the same breed as regular chihuahuas. They simply don’t have hair because of a genetic mutation. As such, they are equally as vocal, sassy and upbeat as their fluffier brethren.