Peruvian Hairless vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison

Peruvian Hairless vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed ComparisonPeruvian Hairless is originated from Peru but Irish Wolfhound is originated from Ireland. Peruvian Hairless may grow 36 cm / 14 inches shorter than Irish Wolfhound. Peruvian Hairless may weigh 29 kg / 63 pounds lesser than Irish Wolfhound. Both Peruvian Hairless and Irish Wolfhound has almost same life span. Both Peruvian Hairless and Irish Wolfhound has almost same litter size. Both Peruvian Hairless and Irish Wolfhound requires Moderate maintenance.

History

peruvian hairless - historyThis is an ancient breed, and he even looks like he comes from ancient times. This particular dog, the Peruvian Hairless, was part of the Inca Empire and it is amazing that depictions of Peruvian hairless dogs have been seen around around 750 A.D.

It is believed the dogs were a meal for many in those ancient times, and that together with the Spanish conquest of Peru resulted in the dog almost being wiped out.

Today the dog is held in esteem in Peru and it is looked upon as the national dog of Peru – an accolade this dog received in 2001. The Federation Cynologique Internationale has accepted this breed and also adopted an official breed standard.

irish wolfhound - historyIt is believed that the Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed and that it was brought to Ireland as early as 7000 BC.

These dogs were bred as hunting dogs as well as guard dogs. There was a time when these huge canines were only allowed to be owned by the nobility. The breed died out somewhat, but Scotsman Captain George Augustus Graham made efforts to restore the breed’s numbers.

Captain Graham devoted his life to making sure the Irish Wolfhound’s numbers were built up, and the breeding program included Great Danes, Borzois, English Mastiffs and Scottish Deerhounds.

Basic Information

Group:
Miscellaneous dogs
Hound dog
Origin:
Peru
Ireland
Height Male:
25 - 50 cm
9 - 20 inches
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
Height Female:
25 - 50 cm
9 - 20 inches
81 - 86 cm
31 - 34 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 25 kg
8 - 56 pounds
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 25 kg
8 - 56 pounds
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
6 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
3 - 4
Size:
Medium dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Peruvian Inca Orchid, Perro Sin Pelo de Perú, Inca Hairless Dog
None
Colors Available:
grey, mottled, Dark brown
red, black or brindle, grey, white, Fawn
Coat:
Hairless except for some hair on the head
Medium length, straight to wavy and wiry
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

peruvian hairless puppy - descriptionThere is no doubt that the most important feature of this dog is its hairlessness, but there is nearly always a little bit of hair on top of its head and on the tip of the tail.

The color of the dog’s skin can be dark brown, mottled or a grey shade. They can be a solid color or grey or brown but with pink spots. The eyes of the dog are brown and the ears can be floppy or erect and the tail is long.

He stands at anything between 25 to 50cm, depending on whether he is a small or medium sized Peruvian. Weights can vary too but can be 4kg for the smaller type, going up to 25 kg for the larger dogs. The dogs are always slim.

Temperament:

Peruvian Hairless dogs love their human families, being somewhat wary around strangers. They are lively, intelligent, alert and protective.

Lean and agile, they can be quick too. Just like with any other dogs, he will require training and socialization if you want him to be obedient and well behaved. He gets on well with other pets in the house and will get on well with disciplined children. This is a quiet dog but even so, he makes a good guard dog.

irish wolfhound puppy - descriptionThe tallest of the sighthounds, the Irish Wolfhound looks like a large Greyhound, only he has a rough, wiry type of coat.

He is also gracefully built and known as a gentle giant. The double coat which can be fawn, red, white, grey, black or brindle is straight to wavy.

He stands at about 81 to 86cm and weighs roughly 48 to 54kg. This is one of the few dog breeds that you can’t really call social. He loves his own human family, and becomes unhappy and ‘down-in-the-dumps’ when separated from his family members for too long. He is a quiet dog who tends to be somewhat introverted and reserved, while being highly intelligent.

He will require being trained and socialized to make him obedient as he is an independent dog. He takes his role as family protector seriously and even though he is quiet, he is ready to take on anyone who threatens his property.

Temperament:

The Irish Wolfhound is a gentle, quiet, soft-natured, easy-going dog and even though it is such a large dog, it doesn’t throw it’s weight around but is calm and patient around the elderly and children in the home. It can tend to be aggressive with animals he isn’t familiar with.

He is an intelligent dog, but even so he may be quite resistant to training as he is strong-willed and determined to have his own way. These dogs need to be trained and socialized otherwise they just do their own thing.

Characteristics

peruvian hairless dog - characteristicsFrom ancient times, the Peruvian Hairless has been man’s best friend, and June 12th is the official day of the Peruvian Hairless Dog. These dogs love being surrounded by their human family. They are cheerful, playful, social dogs and they make great playmates for children when the children don’t rough play too much so as to injure him.

He is also a good watchdog and when he isn’t protecting you or playing he can be calm and quiet, and slot easily into life in the countryside or the city. Treat him well and you'll enjoy excellent friendship from this hairless canine friend.

irish wolfhound dog - characteristicsThe most notable aspect of the Irish Wolfhound is his amazing height. The legs are long, the body narrow. He is gentle and easy-going but because he is a sighthound he loves to give chase after animals.

He is capable of living in the city or countryside, but your home will need to cater to his size. He isn’t particularly energetic, enjoying a quiet life but he will absolutely need to be exercised.

Provide your gentle giant with everything needed to make him content, and you’ll have a faithful, loving friend for about 10 years.

Health Problems

peruvian hairless puppies - health problemsLike all breeds there will be some health problems with your Peruvian Hairless, although with good care care this dog can live to be 12 years of age or maybe even a little older. Some things to look out for include -

Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

You may notice your dog not eating his food, having an upset stomach and vomiting. Irritable bowel syndrome in a dog is a persistent upset stomach, resulting in diarrhea and bloating. IBS isn’t reserved for older dogs, and it can affect any breed or sex. You’ll notice your pet being listless and without energy. In severe cases of IBS, you may notice blood in your pet’s feces. Don’t allow your canine friend to suffer – get him to the vet.

Seizures:

Also known as epilepsy, it can be disturbing for you to see your canine friend having a seizure. Uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in your dog’s brain cause these seizures which are a mix of twitching and shaking. The seizure can last for less than a minute or for several minutes. A number of things can cause these seizures in dogs – head injuries, anemia, kidney disease, liver disease, electrolyte problems, brain cancer among others.

Skin Problems:

Many dogs suffer with one or other skin problems and these can be painful and frustrating. Hairless breeds are more likely to suffer with skin issues and they require special grooming and skin care to prevent dryness, insect bites, sunburn etc.

irish wolfhound puppies - health problemsOne wonders why breeders seem so bent on breeding such large dogs when they have health issues and they don't live particularly long. Not only do they cost a fortune to feed, but large dogs like this are more prone to illnesses and won’t live as long as small dog breeds. This big dog can live up to 10 years of age or so.

For starters, just because he is a deep chested dog, bloat or gastric torsion can be a threat. Other illnesses to look out for are dilated cardiomyopathy and bone cancer.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy:

This is a disease of the heart muscle where the enlarged heart won’t function properly. The upper- and lower chambers of the heart are enlarged and the heart isn’t able to pump blood out properly. When the heart’s ventricle doesn’t pump enough blood into the lungs, fluid accumulates in the lungs and this ultimately leads to congestive heart failure.

Older dogs battle more with this heart disease and it is also more common in some dog breeds of which the Irish Wolfhound is one. Your dog will have shortness of breath, coughing and abdominal distension. He will need to get to the vet for medical tests.

Bone Cancer:

Bone cancer can strike any dog, but you’ll find in more commonly with larger dog breeds. It can spread quickly and the long term prognosis isn’t good. It’s not easy to pick the disease up and it can mean joint pain for your pet and even lameness.

Your dog will be tired too. Your vet will do X-rays and other tests, but unfortunately the prognosis isn’t usually good. Big-dog breeders should take this into consideration.

Caring The Pet

peruvian hairless dogs - caringFor some, the lack of hair is appealing to some people who battle with allergies. The skin of the dog will need to be washed to remove dirt. You’ve got to be careful however, what you wash your dog with because these dogs are known to get blackheads and acne because of blocked pores.

Then again, the skin can become quite dry, so you need to strike a balance. Talk to a dog expert or your vet on how to care for such a dog’s skin.

You’ll also need to consider your dog when he goes outside into the sun. Protection against sunlight is recommended and once again you might want to find out about sun blocks. Because of the lack of hair, he may also be sensitive to the cold.

Make sure this unusual pet gets the right diet. You want to be sure that whether you feed him commercially manufactured foods or he gets some home-made food it is full of vitamins and minerals. Steer away from spicy, unusual foods as dogs love simplicity and consistency.

Exercise:

irish wolfhound dogs - caringThis isn’t a particularly energetic dog and he can tend to become lazy. Don’t allow this as becoming unfit and overweight can be very bad for such large dog. Being so large already puts stress on the dog’s body, and the dog is already susceptible to cardiac and skeletal problems. Allowing him to become lazy and overweight will be a death sentence for this large dog. It is imperative to make sure you take him on walks and play games with him.

Grooming:

The coat of your dog is thick and medium length and he will require being brushed at least twice a week. You may want to also trim the longer hair you find around his face and legs.

When it comes to his ears, you can moisten some cotton wool and wipe the inside of his ears to remove dirt and excess wax. Remember not to probe too deeply to avoid damaging the ear. If you’re uncertain how to do this, your vet can explain to you how its done.

Check his teeth regularly as dental disease can affect other areas of the body too. Don’t allow his nails to get too long as they can cause paw problems and the nails can hook onto things and cause injury.

Diet:

Because this is a giant breed, the puppy will grow for a long time. Speak to your vet about how to ensure you feed your puppy in such a way that he doesn’t grow too quickly.

If you feed your dog a commercially manufactured food, make sure its one of the top quality brands. Include home-made cooked food such as chicken, rice and vegetables into his kibble from time to time, and also try to feed him some raw meat occasionally.

Fresh, cool water must be available to your Irish Wolfhound around the clock.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sapsali vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  2. Peruvian Hairless vs Other - Breed Comparison
  3. Peruvian Hairless vs Olde English Bulldogge - Breed Comparison
  4. Peruvian Hairless vs Aussie Doodles - Breed Comparison
  5. Peruvian Hairless vs Indian Pariah Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Peruvian Hairless vs Dingo - Breed Comparison
  7. Peruvian Hairless vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  8. Peruvian Hairless vs Lottatore Brindisino - Breed Comparison
  9. Peruvian Hairless vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Peruvian Hairless vs Mountain Feist - Breed Comparison
  11. Peruvian Hairless vs Jonangi - Breed Comparison
  12. Peruvian Hairless vs Kuri - Breed Comparison
  13. Peruvian Hairless vs Perro de Presa Mallorquin - Breed Comparison
  14. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  15. Spitz vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  16. Pomsky vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  17. Sakhalin Husky vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  18. Schnauzer vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  19. Puggle vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  20. Schnoodle vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  21. Pharaoh Hound vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  22. Redbone Coonhound vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  23. Portuguese Water Dog vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  24. Puli vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  25. Santal Hound vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  26. Irish Wolfhound vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  27. Irish Wolfhound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  28. Irish Wolfhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  29. Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  30. Newfoundland Dog vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  31. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  32. Leonberger vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  33. Irish Wolfhound vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  34. Irish Wolfhound vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Wolfhound vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  36. Irish Wolfhound vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. Irish Wolfhound vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Wolfhound vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  39. Irish Wolfhound vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Wolfhound vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Wolfhound vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Wolfhound vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  43. Irish Wolfhound vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Wolfhound vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  45. Irish Wolfhound vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  46. Irish Wolfhound vs Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  47. Irish Wolfhound vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds