Hairless Dog Breeds: Everything You Need to Know

Are you a fan of dogs, but you can’t handle their hair? Or perhaps someone in your family is allergic to most coat types? If so, hairless dog breeds can be the alternative you’ve been looking for. They come in many different shapes and sizes, but all have one thing in common: no hair.  

While hairless dog breeds are available and similar to your everyday dog, just without hair, they do have some extra care you have to consider. For example, their exposed skin has an increased risk of getting sunburned. Allergies and skin irritations are also more common in hairless dog breeds.

Despite these, hairless dog breeds can still be the right choice for your family if anyone is allergic to dogs. Read on to learn more about hairless dogs. We cover some of the most hairless dog breeds, how to care for them, and much more.

What Is a Hairless Dog?

A hairless dog is a unique breed of dog that doesn’t have any hair. As the name suggests, they’re not covered by hair or fur like other dogs, so their skin is exposed. While many of these breeds are hairless, many of them do have some type of peach fuzz or small hairs on their bodies. However, they’re all hypoallergenic, and that makes them a good fit for people who are allergic to dogs with hair or fur. 

It’s also important to note that there are a handful of hairless dog breeds. Some are big dogs, and others are small dogs, so they can fit into most families.

Can a Hairless Dog Be a Service Dog?

Hairless dogs can become service dogs. While it’s rare to see a hairless service dog, some breeders have recently found success with the Xolo breed. The Xolo breed might not always be large enough for physical work, but they’re smart and capable enough to help people who have mental disabilities. Some organizations have had success training this breed to help with these conditions, and it’s going well. People who are allergic to dogs but need a service dog can also consider hypoallergenic options. These are dogs that have hair but don’t shed, making them produce less dander and, as a result, less likely to trigger allergies, like poodles and miniature schnauzers.

The 10 Best Hairless Dog Breeds

There are dozens of hairless dog breeds, and there are even some hairless variants of dog breeds you’re likely familiar with. For example, there is a Chihuahua breed that doesn’t have any hair. Therefore, it’s a good idea to know what some of your options are if you’re planning to adopt one.

Before we jump right into the list, it’s important to note that many of these breeds may have bits of hair around their heads, legs, and tail, so keep this in mind. Learn about the 10 best hairless dog breeds below.

1. Hairless Chihuahuas

One of the most popular hairless dog breeds is the hairless Chihuahua. Essentially, they’re the same as any other Chihuahua you’ll come across, but with no hair. These dogs have a rare defect that results in no hair. They come in a wide range of colors but often have a thin layer of white or black hair.

Hairless Chihuahuas are small dogs, so they can fit into most homes, even if you live in an apartment. They’re less than 13 inches in height and tend to weigh less than 15 pounds. That said, they can have spicy personalities, so expect some level of sass if you get fresh with them. For this reason, positive reinforcement training is your best option when training them.

2. American Hairless Terrier

Looking for a dog breed that’s native to the United States? Your only option is the American Hairless terrier. According to the American Hairless Terrier Club, these dogs came about during the 1970s when a hairless terrier was born into a litter or rat terrier. Therefore, these dogs are descendants of the rat terrier dog breed. 

They share most traits with rat terriers, standing at 12-16 inches and weighing between 12-28 pounds. Furthermore, they’re high-energy and high-intelligence dogs. Plus, American hairless terriers are playful, loyal, and protective of their companions. While many hairless dogs do have some hair around their legs or neck, the American hairless terrier is one of the few truly hairless dog breeds. To keep them warm in the winter months, we recommend getting them some clothes.

3. Hairless Chinese Crested

The hairless Chinese crested is another popular hairless breed. There are two variations of this breed, including the powderpuff Chinese crested and the hairless Chinese crested. The hairless variant has no hair on their bodies except for the area around their head and lower legs. On the other hand, the powderpuff variant has a long and flowy coat of hair all over its body. That said, they share most other physical features and fit into the toy breed category. This means they’re less than 15 pounds and shorter than 15 inches at the shoulder.

Hairless Chinese crested are a good choice for people who prefer an independent dog. They have an aloof personality and behave similarly to cats. In fact, they love to sit on the back of a couch and look out the window. Hairless Chinese cresteds can also be stubborn and unwilling to learn commands or take well to training, so they’re not ideal for people who don’t take training seriously.

4. Peruvian Inca Orchid

One of the rarest dogs on this list, the Peruvian Inca orchid, is the national dog of Peru. They’re known for being loyal, affectionate, and athletic. The Peruvian Inca orchid comes in two variations: a hairless version and one that has hair. Both breeds are basically the same, but one has hair, and the other doesn’t. While the hairless Peruvian Inca orchid is mostly hairless, it’s important to note that there is some hair at the top of their head. 

The Peruvian Inca orchid has existed since ancient times, and the breed has undergone many variations aside from just its hair. You can find small, medium, and even large Peruvian Inca orchids. Smaller ones are usually less than 20 pounds, medium-sized dogs are around 20 pounds, and larger Peruvian Inca orchids can weigh up to 55 pounds.

5. Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli (Xolo) is one of the oldest dog breeds on the planet and one of the most popular hairless dog breeds. They’ve been around for more than 3,000 years and have lived alongside some well-known ancient cultures like the Mayans and Incas. In fact, the Xolo is the national dog of Mexico, and it continues to remain popular in Mexico and the United States. These dogs come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Smaller Xolos tend to weigh less than 20 pounds, while larger Xolos may weigh more than 50 pounds.

While the hairless variety is common, it’s important to note that there are also Xoloitzcuintlis with hair. Make sure you keep this in mind when adopting, especially if you work with a breeder from Mexico due to a potential language barrier. Xoloitzcuintlis have the temperament of a working dog. They’re loyal and affectionate, but they’re happiest when they have a working role. This makes them a good candidate for service dog work for people who are otherwise allergic to dogs.

6. Argentine Pila Dog

The Argentine pila dog is another common hairless dog breed that comes from South America. They’re closely related to the Xoloitzcuintlis and the Peruvian Inca orchid. These dogs have been around for thousands of years and continue to be one of the best options for people who can’t be around dogs that have hair. While they’re mostly hairless, it’s possible for some Argentine pila dogs to have hair at the top of their heads.

When it comes to their personalities, Argentine pila dogs are affectionate and loyal dogs. They adapt well to other environments and love to play or even work. 

7. Jonangi

India is also home to some hairless dogs, with one of them being the jonangi. These dogs have been bred for hundreds of years and continue to be good hunting dogs. Aside from hunting, they also made good herding dogs, watchdogs, and even service dogs. Their personalities tend to be loyal, protective, alert, and even gentle with their companions. On average, jonangi dogs are 17-21 inches at the shoulder and weigh 30-50 pounds.

Jonangis are great dogs, but they’re on the rarer side. You may have trouble finding reputable breeders in the United States, and importing one from India can be troublesome due to legal regulations. Make sure you keep this in mind during the adoption or purchasing process. It’s also important to note that jonangi dogs are not entirely hairless. They tend to have a very thin, short layer of hair that often goes unnoticed.

8. Abyssinian Sand Terrier

The Abyssinian sand terrier is a quiet and calm dog that loves to get out there and exercise. You may also know these dogs as African hairless dogs. They’re smart, strong, athletic, and loyal enough to take with you on any adventure. For people who need a hairless dog to be their exercise buddy, you can’t go wrong with the Abyssinian sand terrier. They’re medium-sized dogs that weigh between 20-40 pounds and stand at 15-20 inches at the shoulder. Therefore, they’re small enough to live in most housing situations, even apartments.

The Abyssinian sand terrier can be hairless, but this isn’t always the case. There are some breeds that have a layer of short hair, which can cause an allergic reaction for some people. They may also have hair on their legs, ears, and tail. Despite their lack of hair, Abyssinian sand terriers tend to be gorgeous dogs that can be sand, gray, bronze, and even black. Combinations of these colors are also common for this breed.

9. Bolivian Hairless Dog

Bolivian hairless dogs are medium-sized dogs that come from South America. They come in two sizes, which are known as medio and grande. The medio variant has short legs and stands 14-17 inches at the shoulder and weighs 15-20 pounds. On the other hand, the grande variant is closer to 17-20 inches and has long legs. They can also reach up to 30 pounds. Size aside, Bolivian hairless dogs are gentle, playful, and kind dogs. However, they do have a lot of energy and may have a slight prey drive, so keep this in mind if you have other pets.

While these dogs are mostly hairless, you’ll find that they have flowing patches of hair on their head. If you can get past it, that tiny bit of hair makes them look like a rockstar – you should see it flowing in the wind.

10. Ecuadorian Hairless Dog

One of the rarest hairless dogs you’ll come across is the Ecuadorian hairless dog. They share many traits with other Mexican and South American hairless dogs. Their personalities tend to be kind, loyal, gentle, and protective. 

While the Ecuadorian hairless dog has been referenced throughout history and even by a few sources today, there aren’t many photos of them. The little information that we do know is that these dogs have short legs and stand at around 18 inches at the shoulder.

How Do You Care for a Hairless Dog?

You may think that hairless dogs are easier to care for because you don’t have to worry about brushing their coats. While you don’t have to brush them, you still have to take care of their skin. You may have to use moisturizer and other skincare products to keep their skin healthy. 

Sunscreen is also something you have to apply if they’re going to be outdoors for more than 30 minutes at a time. We recommend going with something strong, like SPF 50, to prevent any skin damage. Unlike people, these dogs don’t get a base tan either, so you need to apply sunscreen pretty much all spring and summer. However, you can get away with applying less in the winter.

While you don’t need to apply sunscreen in the winter, you may need to keep them warm when it’s cold out. Because of their lack of hair, they can have trouble regulating their body temperature during the winter months. To avoid hypothermia and other health problems in the winter, we recommend getting them a jacket or a blanket to keep them warm.

Are Hairless Dogs Hypoallergenic?

While there isn’t a dog breed that’s entirely hypoallergenic, hairless dogs are less likely to trigger allergic reactions compared to other breeds. This is because they don’t have a coat to shed dander into their environment. However, hairless dogs still produce allergens in their saliva, skin oils, and other bodily secretions, which can trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. Nonetheless, it is much easier for people with pet allergies to live with hairless dogs than other breeds.

Adopt a Hairless Dog Today

Just because you’re allergic to dogs, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a canine companion. Hairless dogs are the perfect candidates for people who love dogs but can’t stop sneezing or dealing with allergies when they’re around. There are plenty of breeds to choose from, so there are plenty of sizes, temperaments, and energy levels for everyone.

That said, when considering a hairless dog, make sure you care for them properly. Apply sunscreen if they’re outdoors for long periods and keep them away from potential skin irritations. Always consult with a vet if you’re worried about their health, and make sure you still give them pets! Just because they don’t have hair, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to be pets.