Welcome to the Peruvian Hairless Dog Blog! Here we endeavor to regularly publish interesting facts and tidbits about the PHD. Check back often in order to learn everything about the PHD!
(This blog is only availble in English and Spanish.)
Written by: Pedro Santiago Allemant Published on: July 19, 2021
At the threshold of the Bicentennial of Peru, I fondly observe the portrait of the three Peruvian Hairless Dogs that are representing out country as pets native to Peru living in some of our embassies in Europe, North America and the Caribbean.
In the portrait I can see the look of tenderness that these little dogs transmit. At the same time, I admire their physical beauty: their silhouette, posture, and poise. Qualities acquired due to the geographical conditions of the land where they originated: the North and the Central Coast of Peru. On the one hand, these territories are populated by lavish beaches and, on the other, by enigmatic adobe pyramids that emerge from a vast desert where the Peruvian Hairless Dog or “Viringo” (as they call this breed in the North) has been able to develop its physical and mental aptitudes. Incidentally, when talking about this I remember a conversation I had with Mr. Roberto Rodriguez Arnillas, Peruvian Ambassador in Canada, when we were talking about Apu, his beautiful Peruvian Hairless.
“I wanted to have the opportunity to have a specimen of our national breed and to be able to showcase it in the country where I work, so that many people would know this beautiful dog breed.” – Roberto Rodriguez Arnillas, Peruvian Ambassador in Canada.
Indeed, enjoying a semi-warm but also dry tropical coastal climate, the Hairless Dog belongs to a megadiverse territory that consists of several different ecosystems.
As for its character, without a doubt the Hairless Dog is tender and noble. This being the result of the affection he received from the lords of the highest pre-Hispanic Peruvian elites, as well as from the inhabitants of their lands. Furthermore, it is its deep roots in the history of our country that has allowed it to survive to this day.
In this portrait I can imagine that each of them poses proudly next to the red-and-white flag of Peru, with the same pride with which they sat for the pre-Columbian ceramists and iconographers. But obviously it is not a human quality, but rather the beauty of the Peruvian Hairless Dog that captivated ancient Peruvians and is again inspiring new artists.
A few months ago, talking with Mrs. María Eugenia Echeverría Herrera, Peruvian Ambassador in Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the Republic of Moldova, about Quilla, her cheeky Peruvian Hairless, she told me the following about the benefits of this dog breed:
“[They’re] noble dogs and attached to their owner (actually, to all the people in the house), affectionate, playful, with a positive temperament.” – María Eugenia Echeverría Herrera, Peruvian Ambassador to Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Republic of Moldova.
However, for a moment I think about the impact that the new social and religious model imposed during the Spanish conquest of the Incan Empire has had on this noble dog. Being an icon for ancient Peruvian cultures, dishonors were imposed on it that have lasted for many decades, to the point where it was practically forgotten in its own country for more than two centuries.
Despite this, today the Hairless Dog is once again recovering its place in society and regaining the affection of Peruvians. As the world-famous plastic artist Alberto Quintanilla tells us:
“This century, it is said to be the century of the Dog. The Peruvian Hairless Dog returns completely by itself, imposing itself on history and time, and challenging space by reaching other countries.” – Alberto Quintanilla, Plastic Artist
Alberto Quintanilla – Pintor y escultor peruano (ENSBAP – Escuela Nacional Superior Autónoma de Bellas Artes del Perú (1958) y École des Beaux Arts de París (1968)) – Autor de “El Perro enamorado de la Luna” y personaje del filme “El Perro Sin Pelo del Perú”.
What’s going on? Are we currently living in a world where modernization takes us further away from ourselves, bringing us closer to our animals? Or is it the symbiosis between the inherent magic of the Hairless Dog and the fundamental changes of a society in constant reconstruction of its historical values and seeking to reinvent itself to face the new challenges in favor of the conservation of its biodiversity and the protection of its environment?
By the way, today, without realizing it, modernization imposes new challenges on us. We Peruvians are already a step ahead in this area because, though at a slow pace, several decades ago the Law of Protection of the Peruvian Hairless Dog was declared, which recognizes it as national heritage and a species to be preserved. Unfortunately, though, this law is not yet known to all Peruvians.
Bernarda Delgado Elías (Directora del Museo de sitio de Túcume) y Celeste (mascota Perro sin Pelo del Perú).
However, this will fortunately change. With this lack of awareness in mind, a Law was passed that requires archaeological site museums of the Peruvian coast to have a Peruvian Hairless specimen living on the premises. As a result, several museums in the country have already been working for the last couple of decades toward showcasing the Peruvian Hairless Dog in situ with aims to educate visitors about this dog breed that is an intrinsic part of the pre-Hispanic culture being studied in the place. One of these museums that proudly showcases the Peruvian Hairless Dog is the Museum of Túcume in Lambayeque, where even a cemetery dedicated to this dog breed has been built. The Director of the museum, the Archaeologist Bernarda Delgado Elías, is a great fan of the breed, and has been for many years. She had the idea of building this cemetery to pay tribute to all the dogs that lived with her now, as they did millennia ago with the ancient inhabitants of Túcume.
“Chisca Primera was an exceptionally good dog. She had up to fourlitters. She was the one who inspired me to build this cemetery for Peruvian Hairless Dogs. They will be our guardian angels for life.” – Archaeologist Bernarda Delgado Elías.
As well as Túcume, there are other museums in Northern Peru and Lima that, for several decades, have had at least one Hairless Dog specimen living on the premises for the purpose of promoting culture through exhibitions dedicated to this theme.
In the year 2015 we produced the film “The Peruvian Hairless Dog,” the first documentary film in the history of dogs dedicated exclusively to this Peruvian breed. It had the support of UNESCO and the Fédération Cynologique International (the largest canine association worldwide). In addition, many cultural activities have been carried out for several decades: animated characters of the Hairless Dog have been created; children’s books, comic strips and books on this subject have been published; among other things.
Undoubtedly, these are some examples of the advances that have been made in favor of the revaluation of the Peruvian Hairless Dog, thanks to which this breed has regained an important place on the list of cultural values of our nation
I can’t fail to mention the great work that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been doing toward spreading awareness about the Hairless Dog and the need for its conservation. A few months ago, I published an article pertaining to the rescue of a specimen of our Living National Heritage: a Peruvian Hairless was being given up for adoption in the city of Havana, Cuba. Due to its owner’s lack of resources, this dog was living under deplorable conditions. Its adoptive mother, Claudia Betalleluz, Minister in the Diplomatic Service of Peru and Head of Chancery of the Embassy of Peru in Havana, told me:
“As soon as I adopted it I baptized it with the name of Ñusta, thus returning to it that Peruvian cultural baggage it had lost on its arrival in Cuba.” – Claudia Betalleluz, Minister in the Diplomatic Service of Peru and Head of Chancery of the Embassy of Peru in Havana.
En la foto: Luna Pelota y Gloria Cáceres Vargas (profesora, escritora y traductora de lengua quechua) – foto de Patricia Cáceres Murga (propietaria de Luna Pelota).
“El Tour de la Lengua” (The Language Tour) was the name of the first tour we made in 2017 to present the film “The Peruvian Hairless Dog” translated into Quechua. The first presentation was held at the House of Literature in Lima and was followed by lectures led by the writer and Quechua translator Gloria Cáceres Vargas and the filmmakers. This tour highlighted the importance of the Quechua language and that symbol of Peruvian Living Heritage, the Hairless Dog. The goal of the tour was to give Quechua a scientific dimension that would interest young Peruvian scientists. The tour was held consecutively in other cities of Northern Peru.
In 2019 we released a documentary short film titled “The Peruvian Hairless Dog with Hair”. The title introduces the paradox of the existence of a variant that contradicts the name of the race. However, this first film on the subject reveals the existence and importance of this variant of Hairless Dog. It presents a lot of new information that, until then, no Peruvian institution had dared to broadcast—perhaps due to lack of interest or little research on this subject. The film introduces scientific studies that, when investigating the hairy variant, link for the first time the genetic condition of the Hairless Dog and the Foxi3 gene responsible for the lack of hair. The film was premiered at the Instituto Cervantes in Paris under the auspices of the Peruvian Embassy and was followed by a lecture led by biologist Víctor Vásquez Sánchez, President of the Arqueobios Association.
Victor Vásquez Sánchez Biologiste – spécialiste en bioarchéologie, Biologie cellulaire et génétique – Professeur honoraire du département de biologie de l’Université autonome de Madrid.
At that conference we were able to summarize the scientific and archaeological advances that have been made to date by world-renowned institutions and scientists. After this presentation we had a tour with the support of several institutions and universities of Northern Peru interested in delving deeper into this topic.
For our part, the adventure of the Peruvian Hairless Dog is just beginning. The second documentary film is in post-production. It promises to reveal much new information that was previously ignored, about this dog breed but also about political problems that have resulted in it being hidden almost to the point of disappearing from modern history.
But there is still a long way to go. At the threshold of the Bicentennial of our independence it is time to take a step back and have a renewed perspective in order to find solutions to perpetuate the conservation of our millennial dog breed, the Peruvian Hairless Dog, and ensure its place in the society of the new century.
It’s possible that thanks to the Hairless Dog’s intrinsic magic that place is already assured. Taking this into account and added to the interest that we see through our readers (academics, young students, lovers of the Hairless Dog and enthusiasts in general), I have the feeling that Peruvians will be up to the new challenges for the permanent conservation of this millenary dog.
Written by: Pedro Santiago Allemant Published on: February 16, 2021
Bucharest:
As part of my campaign of international awareness about the Peruvian Hairless Dog, and this being the year of the Peruvian Bicentennial, I take the opportunity to get an update on Quilla, our Canine Ambassador to Bucharest (Romania), a “charge” she has held since 2018.
I contact María Eugenia Echeverría Herrera, Ambassador of Peru to Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, and the Republic of Moldova, as well as Quilla’s adoptive mother.
She tells me that among her activities she is responsible for promoting cooperation in multiple fields such as risk management, combating drug and cultural goods trafficking, promoting trade—especially with regard to our Peruvian flag products—tourism and cultural promotion, a very important axis of the Embassy’s work. In addition, María Eugenia carries out her work from the privileged position of belonging to the only Embassy present in these Eastern European countries from a country belonging to the Andean Community. As if that weren’t enough, María Eugenia, our multi-country Ambassador, is also a great defender of the Peruvian Hairless Dog, Living Cultural Heritage of our Nation.
In mid-2018, after several years of research and having wanted to get a dog of this Peruvian breed, María Eugenia managed to find Quilla (Sechura Quilla Pazzda), a Peruvian Hairless Dog from a world-renowned breeder of the Czech Republic. Quilla is now the center of my conversation with María Eugenia.
Because she’s Living Cultural Heritage of our Nation, Quilla has been an active promoter of Peruvian culture since her arrival at the Embassy. “A special visit was that of my friend the Ambassador of [the] Czech Republic,” María Eugenia say, “who was not only amazed to see, for the first time, a Hairless Dog, but also to know that this fine specimen of an ancient Peruvian breed had been born in Brno, capital of the South Moravian region and the second most populous city in his country. This prompted me to tell him how we found her through the Embassy’s cultural activities.”
Well, this anecdote demonstrates the great interest that this beautiful dog breed awakens in foreign breeders like those of the Czech Republic. Indeed, Hairless Dogs have been known in many countries for many years due to the belief in their healing properties, and because they’re the ideal pet for people allergic to animal hair. It should be noted that the Czech Republic has the largest number of Peruvian Hairless Dog breeders in the world. And now, of course, Quilla allows the breed to be better known in other European countries such as Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia and the Republic of Moldova—countries that are part of the perimeter of which María Eugenia, our Peruvian Ambassador, is in charge.
Among her various tasks, Maria Eugenia has also contributed to the spreading awareness about our national dog breed, as well as our culture, through activities in countries such as Croatia, where dogs of this breed—both born in Peru and Europe—have participated, and where breeders from countries from around the world participated, too; countries including Croatia itself, Romania, the Czech Republic, Russia, Slovenia, etc.
Her work is ongoing, and even today, despite the current impediments due to the Covid pandemic, she carries it on.
“Quilla’s temperament is characteristic of this breed,” says María Eugenia:
“[they’re] noble dogs and are attached to the owner (actually, to all the people of the house); [they’re] affectionate, playful, with a positive temperament.”
From the photographs María Eugenia shares with me I can see that Quilla is an extremely playful puppy and that she keeps the team spirit alive—in other words: she’s the life and soul of the party!
In addition, María Eugenia tells me that in a few months Quilla will be three years old. So she’s no longer as foolhardy as she once was as a puppy. Yes, she’s very fast and always alert to what happens around her, but now she’s also prudent, as is usual in more experienced dog, of course. Furthermore, as is also usual of the breed, Quilla has a certain reticence when it comes to strangers.
In 2018, after arriving at the Embassy, Quilla began working with a coach. Like so many other things her training has obviously been interrupted due to the pandemic, but she’ll resume it in the spring of this year.
“It’s like at Friar [Saint] Martin’s house,” María Eugenia tells me: “all the pets that live with Quilla have been exposed to the group since from the get-go, so they’re each other’s family.”
Undoubtedly, Quilla lives happily within a group. She shares her days with two Dachshunds, one, short-haired, the other, woolly, a kitten, and a rabbit.
“Everyone lives in absolute harmony,” adds María Eugenia.
St. Martín de Porres (1579-1639): Peruvian saint, the first mulatto saint of America and Patron Saint of Social Justice. He is credited with making a dog, a mouse, and a cat eat from the same bowl in complete harmony.
Apparently, the importance given to Peruvian heritage by María Eugenia is not only evidenced through her affection and protection of the Peruvian Hairless Dog, it transcends further: it strikes a definite parallel to the virtues and miracles of our Peruvian Patron Saint, Saint Martin de Porres, as narrated by the Peruvian writer Ricardo Palma in his great literary opus Tradiciones Peruanas (Peruvian Traditions, 1872), a work based on historical events in Peru throughout known history—a jewel worthy of being remembered by the new Peruvian generation, especially upon the celebration of Peru’s Bicentennial.[1]
Nonetheless, María Eugenia also attributes some of the harmony to the intelligence of pets: “Milo (the rabbit), doesn’t allow himself to be harassed. He’s as a fox!” she tells me, in a funny tone, referring to the cunning of the rabbit. “The one Quilla had to watch out for in the beginning was Bela (the cat). Quilla mistook her for a toy but Bela immediately set her straight, and has known perfectly well how to avoid being caught up in Quilla’s games.”
María Eugenia tells me that, unlike the Dachshunds—the female of which has always needed to clearly establish that she is the Alpha of the group—, Quilla fits into all situations without seeking preeminence. Partly because of the docile temper of the breed, but also because, being the tallest of all the pets, she easily beats them every time at retrieving the ball in the garden or getting at food that’s on the kitchen table!
Quilla is certainly the healthiest animal in this domestic zoo!
Like every dog of this breed, Quilla requires special care in the cold months. What she chiefly requires is a good coat, always pulled over a cotton t-shirt to protect her sensitive skin.
“Her greatest pleasure is to go in the car,” María Eugenia tells me, “she sits there with her seatbelt and observes the city passing by.” Certainly, there’s no doubt that, apart from a faithful companion, the mere fact of accompanying our official Peruvian representative, Quilla is an active promoter of Peruvian culture. And her beautiful physical attributes not only garner curiosity in all who meet her, but also interest in discovering the mystery behind them [see “Hairless Dog with a mutant gene: Foxi3”], which makes us penetrate the world of natural science [2] and dig deeper into its past [see “Millenary dog of the Americas came from Asia through the Bering Strait”].[3]
María Eugenia tells me that she notes the great interest that Peru generates among Romanian citizens through the events that the Embassy holds in Romania, essentially a multicultural and Latin-speaking country. The Peruvian community in the aforementioned countries, although small, is long-standing and very well assimilated. The Peruvian diaspora is a strong link that links these nations to Peru and contributes to the development of their host countries.
In addition, María Eugenia tells me that every Peruvian member of the Embassy is a big fan of Peru and, in their own way, values Peruvian culture with great pride. The seriousness and commitment are reflected through the participation of the Embassy members in events aimed at raising awareness of Peruvian culture, as well as the continued contact of our Ambassador with the breeders who reared Quilla to learn more about the particularities of the breed, and through discussions with our Association, to exchange ideas and know more about the current place of the Peruvian Hairless Dog in the world.
This in, as well as what I mentioned above, is a definite sign of the great achievement that has been made in favor of the Peruvian Hairless Dog—who, on the threshold of the Peruvian Bicentennial, already occupies an important position on the list of cultural values of our nation.
I close our conversation by saying goodbye to María Eugenia and offering Quilla a virtual petting, such as we are now very well accustomed under the circumstances. It’s not really a goodbye, but rather a “see you later”, as we’ll certainly be getting updated on Quilla’s adventures again in the not-so-distant future, as well as continuing to find out about the news and progress of her outreach campaign as our dear canine ambassador!
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Footnotes:
[1] Tradición “Los ratones de fray Martín”, Tradiciones Peruanas: Octava y última serie. https://es.wikisource.org/wiki/Los_ratones_de_fray_Mart%C3%ADn
Written by: Pedro Santiago Allemant Published on: February 3, 2021
Ottawa:
As part of my initiative to revalue the Peruvian Hairless Dog I’ve had the opportunity to meet many Peruvian Harless Dogs around the world; almost two years ago I learned of such another representative of Peruvian canine national heritage, this one living in the Embassy of Peru in Canada: Apu Huatuntupaq, a beautiful specimen of Peruvian Hairless Dog, very representative of its breed, and born to renowned Peruvian breeders.
Due to the current circumstances making travel impossible I was I had no choice but to continue my projects through virtual trips. I never imagined that this particular trip would become such a pleasant and unusual experience.
It all started with a videocall where I chatted with Roberto Rodríguez Arnillas, Peru’s Ambassador to Ottawa City, capital of Canada.
With several years holding diplomatic office in the United States and Canada, since July 2018 Ambassador Rodríguez Arnillas is responsible for the promotion and strengthening of bilateral relations between Peru and Canada, as well as the continued strengthening of the traditional ties of friendship that bind the two countries.
He told me of the excellent relations that have developed through a fluid and constructive dialogue, in which respect and promotion of human rights, the strengthening of the democratic system, the management of sustainable natural resources and the fight against climate change, and the defense of free trade are the main points. The cooperation of both countries is not only at the commercial level, but also at the level of scientific and cultural cooperation.
As we were chatting, I could see in the background a beautiful copper-colored large dog sitting quietly, listening to the Ambassador very carefully. Evidently, it was his routine to do so. Suddenly, Apu’s tutor, Mrs. Roxana Recalde de Rodríguez, wife of the Ambassador, appeared to ask Apu to show me his training. While Apu responded to Mrs. Recalde de Rodríguez’s commands, showing me that he knows how to shake hands and listen attentively, thus revealing his intelligence and skills, I thought that all this was undoubtedly a product of the affective relationship and respect he has for his adoptive parents.
In addition to his physical beauty, his talent and intelligence are incomparable and I couldn’t help mentioning it to the Ambassador and his wife.
I immediately recognized his lineage: a strong and slender dog but with a very human gaze that inspires nobility.
Apu is certainly like the many dogs I’ve been able to meet that come from these northern lineages that are now being bred by canine experts and made known throughout the world for the last several decades.
The Ambassador confirmed it was indeed Apu who was on camera. He presented Apu to me progressively and naturally. The Ambassador told me: “I always liked Hairless Dogs but we were particularly impressed with him, with his poise and beauty… He’s only three years old. He was the first one we saw with such characteristics. Although we had previously seen other dogs of the same breed, both medium and small in size, which we liked very much, Apu was the one we liked the most.”
Indeed, his name, Apu, which means divinity or refers to an important character since pre-Incan time, speaks to his physical attributes and qualities.
“He’s a very affectionate dog,” said the Ambassador. “When we first picked him up with Marcelo, my youngest son, Apu practically adopted [Marcelo]. From then on, they get along perfectly.”
After his adoption, Apu had to wait several months before travelling to Canada, as transporting flights for dogs to the during summer are not possible due to the high temperatures at the airports. So Apu was able to travel after the summer and he arrived in Ottawa on a flight from Lima via Toronto. Fortunately, he arrived in his new home in perfect conditions.
According to the Ambassador: “Apu, belonging to a legendary breed, has been able to fully adapt to the climate of Canada. His adaptability is amazing. The weather is not an issue: he weathers it with nobility.”
Indeed, many Hairless Dogs live in Nordic countries with cold climates such as the United States and most European countries, and are able to quickly adapt to their climates.
To Apu’s good fortune, his adoptive father, Ambassador Rodríguez Arnillas, knows a lot about dogs, as he has previously had a Great Dane, a Cocker Spanniel and a German Shepherd. Besides that, his wife also loves dogs very much and has previously had a Collie. Also, the Ambassador’s sister has a Peruvian Hairless Dog called Nazca, who was coincidentally born in Ica.
The way the Ambassador and his family treat Apu is tailored to Apu’s personality. Immediately after Apu arrived in Canada the Ambassador discovered his great agility. “Being a large dog, he weighs 29 kilos and loves to run,” the Ambassador tells me. “He runs like a hare; to such an extent that he’s the most agile dog in the park where I take him. There’s only a Greyhound that has been able to outrun Apu […] In front of the residence there’s a park where Apu can run every day, meet other dogs and socialize, in addition to running and playing.”
The Ambassador has set everything in place for Apu to develop his skills to demonstrate how far the intelligence of the Peruvian Hairless Dog can go.
But it’s not only an affective relationship, one of play and training alone: “I always dreamed of the Peruvian Hairless Dog, our Peruvian national heritage of which I was always proud,” the Ambassador told me.
“I wanted to have the opportunity to have a specimen of our national breed and be able to show it in the country where I work, so that many people would know this beautiful dog breed.”
The Ambassador told me that he has now been able to realize his dream: “Apu, in addition to being a companion, naturally fulfills the role of Canine Ambassador. Which means that he’s also part of Peru’s overall cultural proposal during working meetings with Canadian and international authorities, as well as during dinners at the Embassy. Events in which guests are able to not only taste Peruvian Pisco and other national delicacies such as Ceviche or Papa a la huancaína but also enjoy the presence of a Canine Ambassador: Apu, the Peruvian Hairless Dog, who they can meet and pet and who also raises interesting topics of conversation about Peru, its history and its traditions due to all his cultural background.”
Both the Ambassador and his wife are interested in all historical and cultural information regarding this breed. At home they have books on the Peruvian Hairless Dog specifically. They also have multimedia sources on this topic. All this further enriches the knowledge they have acquired about the Peruvian Hairless Dog, which they’ll more than gladly share with anyone who is interested in getting to know more about the breed.
No doubt Apu enjoys living in a country that has a strong canine culture. Canada has a kennel club that has existed since 1887. When it comes to pets, dogs are the favorites. The bond is so strong that they become one of the family. This causes Canadians to invest a significant sum of their budget on pet wellbeing [1].
To such an extent are dogs so important to Canadians that, according to GlobeNewswire, the Anatomy of Dog Love report (of Rover.com, the world’s largest and most trusted network of five-star pet sitters and dog walkers) says a quarter of Canadians plan to take their pets on a “date” for Valentine’s Day[2].
Following my chat with the Ambassador, he told me that Peruvian-Canadian relations are very strong thanks to the communion of common principles and values, fundamentally those aforementioned: human rights, democracy, the sustainability of our natural resources, climate change, as well as defending free trade. Peruvian-Canadian cooperation continues to be a pillar of the relationship, having served Peru’s economic development, which has also resulted in vigorous trade. Canada is currently Peru’s third largest partner in the scientific and cultural fields. In addition, today, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, chancellors from both countries make regular calls within the framework of the COVID-19 Ministerial Coordination Group lead by Canada.
In this context it is no coincidence that Apu is enjoying the affection of a representative of our country who has a broad vision and sensitivity about the importance of sustainable management of natural resources and the fight against climate change, since these are main values for the subsistence of the Peruvian Hairless Dog breed, which is Peruvian living heritage.
Finishing my virtual tour the Ambassador told me that there is still much to do: the Peruvian Hairless Dog is not yet a well-known breed in Canada. However, thanks to the cultural openness and the existence of kennel clubs throughout the country there is a great opportunity to spread and expand knowledge about the Peruvian Hairless Dog.
Observing Apu with the Peruvian flag behind him I have a thought related to traditional Peruvian beliefs: I think that perhaps it was these Apus, or gods of the Inca Mountains, who put Apu and the Ambassador on the same path to promote the dissemination and protection of the Peruvian Hairless Dog breed. In the event that this might be the case, I maintain the strong desire that the Apus continue accompanying them during a long and successful career expanding Peruvian culture and promoting the protection of this wonderful dog breed for the future.
Written by: Pedro Santiago Allemant Published on: January 22, 2021
Havana:
“Due to the pandemic, since March 2019 I had to postpone a trip to Canada, where my family lives,” says Claudia Betalleluz, Minister in Peru’s Diplomatic Service and Head of Chancellery at the Peruvian Embassy in Havana.
“As I was about to return to Havana, I read in the specialized digital press a news story that said: Cuban man gives away his dog for lack of food: ‘I don’t have food for me, let alone her.’
“I saw the photo and it realized it was a completely malnourished Peruvian Hairless Dog in urgent need of a new owner who could save it! It broke my heart seeing its ribs showing and its state of malnutrition.”
Immediately, Claudia contacts the dog’s rescuer via WhatsApp. Yamile García, a haemotherapist in an hospital in Havana, as well as an animal rescuer, tells her she would keep the dog but, unfortunately, she no longer had any room at home because she had already rescued too many dogs and cats.
According to Yamile, the Peruvian Hairless Dog was hadn’t been neglected by its former owners on purpose but rather because they could not give it a dignified life for lack of money.
“I always wanted a Peruvian Hairless Dog,” Claudia tells me during our videocall. “I even went to a breeder’s in Chosica [Lima-Peru] with the idea of getting one. But for various reasons I never was able to go through with it. So when I saw that this Hairless Dog was being offered up for adoption in the same country where I now live I didn’t think twice: it was my best chance, it was like the universe put her in my path.”
Claudia says it with a tone of voice that makes one think that finding this dog was tantamount to winning the lottery.
Despite her enthusiasm, nothing was certain; Yamile had yet to make sure the dog would indeed go to a good home where it would be well cared for and loved: “I was told that there were several people interested,” and was asked for convincing references and evidence that she was the best choice for the dog’s future.
Luckily, after some formalities, everything went swimmingly, as evidenced by the beautiful Hairless Dog she shows me in her arms on the other side of the screen, now completely returned to that robust but refined and elegant state that is so typical of the breed.
Upon adopting her, Claudia renamed the dog Ñusta. Thus, returning to her the Peruvian cultural background she had lost upon her arrival in Cuba and in the distressing conditions in which the lack of resources of her former owners had plunged her. Secondly, returning her to good health, both physically and emotionally, with great care and patience, clearly proving to be the best owner that Ñusta could have wished for.
“[Ñusta] arrived six weeks ago weighing 7 kilos and 700 grams and now weighs just over 10 kilos. The idea was for her to gradually gain weight. I believe she’s already strong and full of energy now. She’s eating chicken meat, rice, quinoa, carrot, kiwicha [amaranth] and also canine food in the form of croquettes. She’s energetic and already feels safe in the house. Also, luckily she gets along very well with Gaia, my one-year-old Border Collie. Both have totally different behaviors and that allows them to get along. You can tell that Ñusta has not had any toys while Gaia is used to having them and plays with them. On the other hand, Ñusta likes the sofa, sitting in a hot place and, above all, to snuggle up with me; while Gaia only thinks about her toys and likes to lie on the floor, which is colder, because in Havana it is very hot and she has a lot of fur! So there’s perfect harmony and there’s no conflict of interest,” Claudia tells me, with a funny tone.
“Ñusta came to Cuba with the niece of the [previous] owner,” Claudia tells me. “She’s three years old and, from the information they provided, I presume that the person who brought her to Cuba had been part of a brigade of health professionals who supported northern Peru in the natural disaster of the coastal El Niño in early 2017. I think Ñusta is from Piura. So that’s how she would’ve arrived in the island.”
These days Claudia is looking for the person who originally brought Ñusta to Cuba.
Before she was called Ñusta, she was China [meaning “Chinese female”], since in Cuba the Peruvian Hairless Dog is mistakenly known a “Chinese Dog”, as people are obviously unaware of the ancient American origins of this breed and, specifically, its Peruvian origins. Currently, there are very few of these dogs on the island; those there are are chosen by people because of the existing belief that they cure asthma.[1]
However, now, thanks to Ñusta, more Cubans and foreigners will be able to learn first-hand about Peru and its ancestral culture and, at the same time, enjoy the company of a true Peruvian representative: Ñusta… Peru’s new canine ambassador to Cuba!
Unfortunately, not everything resembles the beautiful, picturesque postcards of old Cuba, “Cuba del Mar”, that of beautiful houses and traditions. For dogs, as for the people, Cuba is a place of many deficiencies. In the case of dogs, and despite the struggle of the famous historian Eusebio Leal for the reconstruction of the historic center of Havana and the protection of stray dogs, with an intense economic crisis the abandonment of dogs is increasingly frequent.
Havana – Art Design by Alessandro Pucci – APPP – ADPP
In the midst of this pandemic that has sharply aggravated the Cuban crisis and which has led to the country’s economy falling by 12% according to official sources in 2020, as well as the implementation from January 1 of what the Cuban authorities have called the process of economic and financial “ordering” that has increased the prices of essential goods and services and further multiplied the queues to obtain commodities, many Cubans have denounced that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult and that many of them are even going hungry.
For over 30 years, independent associations and animalists have been fighting to have an animal protection law that allows them to have a dignified life. The government has just pushed for the first animal welfare law but it has not yet been passed.[2] Meantime, and although in Cuba there are no official statistics of the number of abandoned dogs, the number of them roaming the streets of Havana is ever higher; and clandestine dog fights and cult rites in which animals are victims of sacrifice are very common. On the other hand, and as always, it is possible to find people with a great affection for animals, such as those who took care of Ñusta during her adoption process. It is no surprise that especially in these difficult times there is an immense lack in the supply of food and medicine for these animals, and their protectors work mostly with their own resources to give them what they need.
For now, however, the only solution to the serious problem of the constant increase in abandoned dogs comes in the form of the program called “Zoonosis”, which takes abandoned and malnourished dogs off the streets to eradicate infectious diseases. It is only thanks to the efforts of rescuers like Yamile and the willingness to adopt a “street” dog of people like Claudia that dogs in a state of abandonment—like Ñusta—are given a second chance to have a dignified life, and so they are fortunate not to rely on programs like this, in which their future is unfortunately very uncertain.
Claudia tells me that she always liked dogs: she has had Yorkshires, miniature Pinschers and Border Collies. Currently, her dogs are Chester, who lives in Canada with her son, and Gaia, who lives with her in Havana—and, of course, now she has Ñusta, too.
Gaia is purebred and comes from prestigious Cuban breeders, and is a very sporty dog. “Ñusta is intelligent,” Claudia tells me, “and I’d like her to be well trained and develop her skills. I would also like her to be able to compete in agility and beauty competitions: she’s very pretty and slender… she’s beautiful!” You can tell Claudia is immensely proud, and that’s why both dogs are being professionally trained from Monday to Friday. In Cuba there is a canine culture dating back several decades, and even have a canine sports federation. Claudia tells me that in it there are “dogs of all breeds: Huskies, Samoyeds, Fox Terriers, etc., and now they’ll meet the Peruvian Hairless Dog of Peru!”
It is astonishing how this unusual and initially tragic event has turned out to be such a successful event. How and why this representative of our National Heritage came to endure hardships in Cuba will remain an enigma for now; however, the actions of solidarity and support by the people involved in this noble act will serve as an example to all those who love animals and also to those who advocate for the protection of the Peruvian Hairless Dog.
At the beginning of the year of the Peruvian Bicentennial a new life full of love and cultural activities is now offered to Ñusta, our new canine ambassador to Cuba!
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Footnotes:
[1] It should be noted that according to explorer and naturalist Alexander Von Humboldt, in his book Pictures of Nature [Tableaux de la Nature. Humboldt, Alexander Von. Translated into French by Ferdinand Hoefer and edited by Charles Turati Milan in April 1858. Page 87] tells us that, according to Tschudi, when Christopher Columbus arrived in the Antilles he found a dog that was to be called “Lesson’s Canis Caraibicus”, the same that was found by Hernán Cortes in Mexico and Francisco Pizarro in Peru. Everything points toward the fact that the Hairless Dog also inhabited the Caribbean Islands before Columbus’ arrival. However, we have no vestiges or representations of the Hairless Dog in he Islands, such as those in Peru, to corroborates its ties to the Peruvian Hairless Dog and how he arrived in the Caribbean.
https://chiennuperou.com/es/blogpost/2019/06/un-perro-ancestral-de-magia-y-misterio/ – Article of June 04, 2019 called “A Magical and Mysterious Ancient Dog” on the website “The Peruvian Hairless Dog”, written by the author of this article: “…we also know of the existence of the Martinique Hairless Dog, known by the Creoles, rather pejoratively—but in my opinion very sensibly—, with the name of Chien Fer or Dog of Hell—enigmatic appellation that would have been applied by settlers upon Christopher Columbus’ arrival on the island and that endures to this day.”
Written by: Pedro Santiago Allemant Published on: January 12, 2021
Túcume:
“This past November three [Peruvian Hairless Dog] puppies were born in the Túcume Museum. The Peruvian Hairless Dog is announced as integral part of the culture of Lambayeque during the year of the Peruvian Bicentennial”, says the Museum director, Archaeol. Bernarda Delgado Elías.
Inspired by the legend of Naylamp, Bernarda has decided to call them: Ñamla (founder of the kingdom of Sicán or Lambayeque) like his father, Yampallec (according to the legend, the idol of Ñamla) and Calac (according to the legend, descendant of Ñamla and founder of Túcume).
These will be their names until they go to live in their forever homes shortly—the Museum already has two Peruvian Hairless Dogs that live there and act as ambassadors of the breed that is National Cultural Heritage.
These two Hairless Dogs, the puppies’ parents, are Ñamla and Celeste. Faithful companions of Bernarda but also a delight to every tourist who visits the Museum. They’re two very docile dogs, as well as beautiful, which attracts a lot of attention from visiting tourists who spend a good part of their visit taking pictures with them and learning about the history of the Peruvian Hairless Dog of Peru and the place it occupies in modern time.
Ñamla is a beautiful Peruvian Hairless of large build and a dark copper color.
Celeste is dark bronze, with a beautiful reddish-orange patch of hair on her head, and a pair of enigmatic cerulean eyes, which define her both in name and in appearance.
In honor of those unique eyes, Bernarda had an exclusive house built for her in the same color and located at the entrance of the Museum, from where Celeste acts as a kind of sphinx that protects the entry to that special place.
But Ñamla doesn’t fall behind: he is a much-loved dog in Túcume; he frequently visits the houses of the Museum’s employees and everyone who deals with him immediately falls for him.
“[And] the puppies are as docile as their parents,” Bernarda tells me. “One becomes fond of them. However, I’m very happy that they’re already waiting for them in their new homes.
And coincidentally they’ll be spending Christmas with their new families. One of them will go to the house of the Director of the Pachacamac Museum—also a pioneer in the protection of the Hairless Dog, since for many years she has had Hairless Dogs at the Museum, encouraged its study, organized activities around the topic, and, in addition, volunteered the Site Museum as a location for the filming of the film ‘The Peruvian Hairless Dog’ (Allemant, Darleguy. 2015). Another puppy will go to live with a policewoman who is part of the Túcume Museum detachment. And another, to the home of a member of a health association.”
For Bernarda this is not new: she has been protecting the Peruvian Hairless Dog for more than two decades, and it is not the first time that puppies have been born under her roof. A puppy from the previous litter went to the Unconcentrated Directorate of Culture of Lambayeque, where it is part of the cultural exhibition of the entire province.
But it’s not all joy. During so many years having dogs it’s only natural that there have been sad moments, such as the death of some of them must undoubtedly have been. As part of Bernarda’s tradition, all her pets are buried in the same place where they lived: in the Museum. Bernarda has therefore built a Lambayeque-style cemetery next to the Museum to house all the Hairless Dogs that have lived there, as well as other Peruvian Hairless whose owners want them buried in a place as symbolic as Túcume, birthplace of the breed. So this cemetery is indeed one of the only modern cemeteries of Peruvian Hairless Dog—perhaps the only one. Tourists who go to the Museum also visit the cemetery, a beautiful and peaceful place, picturesque, colorful and happy, with the mausoleums of the beloved dogs built in the style of the architecture of Lambayeque, with local materials, and each culminated with the photo of the dog, its name and an epitaph in its honor, lovingly dedicated by its owners.
But Bernarda’s initiatives regarding the Peruvian Hairless Dog don’t end there: she tells me about her plans for this year, 2021, the year of the Peruvian Bicentennial, in which she plans to encourage visitors to the museum to come with their pets—that is, of course, once visits are again possible.
Bernarda Delgado Elías (Directora del Museo de sitio de Túcume) y Celeste (mascota Perro sin Pelo del Perú).
No doubt that people like Bernarda shouldn’t go unnoticed. So many years of revaluing and promoting the culture of Lambayeque through its history and its cultural symbols, such as the Peruvian Hairless Dog, are worthy of our recognition.
Things always turn out well when they’re done with love!
We wish the best of luck to Bernarda, her collaborators and all the Hairless dogs in her charge. It is with immense pleasure we find her actions in favor of the Peruvian Hairless Dog multiply as time goes by, as do the lessons she leaves to Lambayeque, Peru and the world.
Written by: Pedro Santiago Allemant Published on: June 4, 2019
City of Lambayeque:
During our new presentation tour for our latest short-film “The Peruvian Hairless Dog With Hair” I travel to northern Peru, all the way to Lambayeque, home of the Lord of Sipan and birthplace of the Peruvian Hairless Dog.
This time I’m meeting with none other than the poet and actress Nevenka Waltersdorfer Mendoza, who recited her poem “Viringo mi amigo” (Viringo My Friend) last year at the presentation of our first film at the Pedro Ruiz Gallo National University during our “Mother Earth Tour”. A lover of Hairless Dogs, Nevenka has known them all her life because, when she was little, her grandmother used to breed these dogs, especially the smaller variety. Nowadays, the Hairless Dog has become one of the most important elements to her inspiration. In this meeting, therefore, apart from sharing a moment together, we will discuss her new literary project, which revolves around the Peruvian Hairless Dog.
Its a cool afternoon in Lambayeque in early June and Nevenka on the phone tells me she’ll meet me at 5p.m. at La Cucarda (The Hibiscus), a café on Dos de Mayo street. Furthermore, she tells me she has a surprise for me, and I’m very intrigued to discover what it’s about. The beautiful Lambayeque sun produces some splendid days. The light bounces off the tanned earth and saturates the colors all around; and as the day draws to a close it projects dark shadows that contrast with the rustic ocher walls so typical to the place. It’s the sort of day one only finds down the Peruvian coast. The kind one misses when the city of Paris is rainy and gray. So I decide to go out early and take a stroll, go from activity to activity feeling that sensation of endlessness which comes from the silence of the Lambayeque streets: the city is mine, each facade, each wall has a story to tell, and I want them to tell it only to me as I enjoy the nice weather and arrive leisurely to my appointment.
I’ve still time until I have to meet Nevenka and I don’t want to arrive too early, so I loiter around the Center Square. It’s almost entirely deserted: all to myself, I can contemplate it, appreciate it, walk to and fro without interruption by passersby or the deafening roar of cars. The entrance to Saint Peter’s Church is open and I take the opportunity to step in to contemplate its vaulted ceilings with it celebrated murals, Baroque paintings and altarpieces. A couple of meters from Saint Peter’s is the famous Saint Catherine’s Ramada Chapel, National Monumental Heritage, with its altarpiece cover dating from the 17th century. Nostalgia momentarily invades me as I see how such a historical monument runs the risk of disappearing one of these days due to the negligence of a few. I sometimes feel in Peru it’s as if the past were less valuable than the present or the future; that in their eagerness to run forward, following the American premise of bigger-newer-better, they forget we do have a rich past—such a past as many other countries would love to have.
Anyways, I get over my nostalgia and, having decided not to linger any more, I continue toward my destination with a renewed interest to find out more about Nevenka’s project involving the Hairless Dog, as well as that surprise she has for me! Thus, I walk on toward La Cucarda. But as I walk I pass another unavoidable historical monument that’s just a few meters from where I am, at the corner of the Dos de Mayo and San Martin streets. It’s the mansion with the biggest balcony in the Americas: The Montjoy or Loge Manor. Another remnant of the rich Peruvian past we must protect. In addition to being known for having hosted the Masonic lodge, it is also known for having been the headquarter of meetings for the emancipatory spark in our country. And, as if this weren’t enough, it’s also the first place where Peru’s independence was proclaimed.
Suddenly, a thought inspired by these events comes to mind: We’re in the colonial Hispanic Lambayeque and not that of the Moche, Lambayeque or Chimu Prehispanic cultures, with their enigmatic ceremonial pottery representing the Hairless Dog… So I wonder: What happened to the Hairless Dog during colonial times? Where was he in all this? And with whom? How did he survive the Inquisition? What role did the Masons play toward the practices of the inhabitants of Lambayeque and what was their position in relation to the ancestral rites of the region which involved the Hairless Dog? Did the Hairless Dog perhaps survive due to a noble gesture made by certain peoples who managed to adapt to the local traditions? Or perhaps it was the tolerance practiced by liberal-minded and freedom-seeking peoples that allowed the Hairless Dog a future? Certainly, in Peru we know very little about all this. Was it ever a taboo to speak of such things? Such as the mention of the Peruvian Hairless Dog with hair still is, to this day, among certain circles, for example? And all this reminds me of the Hairless Dog of Martinique, that which the creoles recognized in a derogatory—but, I believe, sensible—manner with the name of Chien fer or Dog from hell—an enigmatic name applied to it by the first settlers that arrived to the island with Columbus, and that still endures to this day.
I’ve no doubt I’m walking in a place with many different histories, where even the ghosts of the past, and the past-before-past, cohabit in parallel.
As if in response to my lucubrations, at that precise moment, and about 100 meters in front of me, I see an unlikely silhouette, different from the others, which suddenly catches my attention and, as sudden as it appears, disappears. I look again to make sure what is the nature of this optical illusion. Without a doubt, it’s something that has to do with that play of light and shadow that dominates the Lambayecan streets under this sun in early June, and at this time when it’s not yet night but it is not so much day anymore—i.e. magic hour, as it is sometimes called. All of a sudden, in the blink of an eye, the shadow appears once again and now I see it really is different from the shadows in the streets—and it’s no ineffable fatamorgana! It’s a slender, dark silhouette, opaque enough to rule out a ghostly appearance—or is it? Immediately, a flashback of images comes to mind: stories of mystery like those I read as a child, or that omnipresent mysterious image in Paul Gaugin’s paintings, that is always there without truly being there…
I got the feeling it was something supernatural and fantastic and, at the same time, endowed with incredible and inexplicable beauty.
For the next few moments I observed a gentle movement of the silhouette and then, from one moment to the next, what I was observing quickly took shape and incorporated into none other than the slender and graceful body of a real, live Hairless Dog that now peeked through the bars of the café with a welcoming bark for the one who now approached down the sidewalk.
Its gaze from between the bars seemed lost in the void, and I wasn’t able able to distinguish if it focused on the landscape that was behind me or if he was actually reading my aura… In any case, what was clear to me was that its gaze reminded me of one of those silent, wise characters that possess a lot of knowledge of the kind that is transmitted from a parent to a child. I think that perhaps in its eyes I’m like those men who had protected its ancestors and the dog senses it. Or perhaps I remind it of one of those outsiders of which one must be wary—I don’t know. In any case, its gaze tells me there’s something supernatural about it, and that it know how to recognize people, even before meeting them. I then remember I’m not in just any colonial Hispanic city of shiny ocher walls:
I’m in the birthplace of different pre-Columbian cultures, I’m in the birthplace of the Peruvian Hairless Dog. If there is such a place where the magic of the Hairless Dog is justified, it’s here.
Its calm snooping movements and its gaze fixed in the distance gives me a sense of security. There’s no doubt it knows I’m heading to his house. Presently, it makes a gesture of joy and, wagging its tail, I understand that I’m welcome, so I’m assuming I remind him of someone worthy of his trust, and not a foreigner—I’m satisfied. Of course, this must be the pleasant surprise that awaited me at La Cucarda: not only an affectionate dog, but also one of a simple beauty that makes him very attractive to any lover of Hairless Dogs.
From behind the dog Nevenka smilingly appears to greet me with a warm hug almost a year to the day since we last met for the first time. And she says: “Allqu is café’s pet and host. He’s much loved by the people who come here and, especially, by his owner, the woman who owns the place, and who adores him”. She tells me Allqu was a present from Mr. Panchito, the local glazier of many years who lives in front of the local market. As if to corroborate the esoteric thoughts I’ve just been having about the Hairless Dog and this place she tells me this man had a vision one day in which someone told him he should bring a Hairless Dog to La Cucarda, and that’s how Allqu arrived there. From that moment on, this little dog has brought peace and joy to its owner’s family. Nevenka then tells me that many people have said that they’ve never seen such a human dog as the one that now flutters about around me as we find a table.
After the introduction I observe the café is situated within a beautiful house of true colonial style. Once we’re comfortably around a café table in the place’s patio Nevenka explains the owner is called Milagros and she’s a true, 100% Lambayecan woman. In my mind I understand she means to say that Milagros loves her homeland and its customs—I’ve no doubt I’m at the heart of the colonial Hispanic Lambayeque, where the traditions of yesteryear manifest themselves with absolute naturalness. This place is perfect for a meeting with a writer who’s literary oeuvre revolves around the Hairless Dog; not only because of Allqu’s presence in the place but also because of the place itself: its style, its carob-tree columns that frame a door that reveals the ancient family heirlooms that have been very carefully set in a place of proud display, the beautiful hibiscus flowers that decorate the patio, etc., all creating a perfect environment that places the Hairless Dog in a very auspicious setting and time.
Nevenka continues telling me that Lambayeque “is a magical place, it’s like a bridge between today and yesterday, between the world of the living and the world of the dead; its walls speak and are filled with energy.” And I agree with her. It’s something that can be immediately felt when one strolls down its streets. And as she continues speaking to me, her stories and tales that touch upon the supernatural and the mysterious, and that I’ve had the pleasure of reading, run through my mind: “Cerro Negro” (Black Hill), “Huaco” (Ancient Ceremonial Pot), “Nocturno número nueve” (Nocturne Number Nine), to name a few, in which I begin to recognize places and characteristics that come into view. I begin to comprehend why I’m in such a magical place and with a gaze of my surrounding so quick to find magic in everything.
Allqu sits beside Nevenka as she tells me she has always been particularly fond of medium- and large-sized Hairless Dogs.
She especially admires their grace, nobleness and intelligence, she tells me; as well as their slender body and that complexion, like that of a greyhound.
Indeed, through two of her unpublished poems that, however, she has been good enough as to share with me, “Julieta” and “Ojos Brujos” (Bewitching Eyes), one can appreciate her vision of the Hairless Dog and how the aesthetics of the dog remains closely linked to its native and pure environment, transforming it into an icon of the natural culture of the North of Peru. But I perceive her vision transcends the plane of beauty to become mingled with purer emotional planes, emotions that are cultivated during an entire life of cohabitation and complicity with those we love: she is a true lover of the Peruvian Hairless Dog because it has always been and intrinsic part of her life.
With this in mind, Nevenka tells me of an approaching new era for the Hairless Dog in her art: “They’re enigmatic, and that’s why I include them in my new production. I imagine them as beings that live between the earthly realm and that of the souls, the ether, the diaspora and, at the same time, they’re connected to the underworld. They’re protective beings.” At that very moment that same flashback comes to mind, where images of the mystery tales I read as a boy come alive in my minds eye, those fantastic stories one can’t help but paying attention to or reading them to the end.
And then Nevenka, who had only promised me one present, produces a second: she tells me the best way to understand what awaits the Hairless Dog in her art would be to read her most recent unpublished text, which she then proceeds to hand over to me at our table in La Cucarda. I now have some stapled pieces of paper in front of me: the manuscript of her next mystery tale, which boasts of having the Hairless Dog as an essential character. And I also have in front of me its author, who eggs me on to read it.
“INDIGO
Four corners, four street lamps, one dark night and Allqu, ambassador to La Cucarda. A majestic shadow walking under a half-light, between the main porch and the hallway, at intervals lit by that full moon the shows its elegant, slender shape. The moonlight washes the room indigo, every tile. And mingled with the mist, the aroma of freshly-pressed coffee.
Every night I walk from the Plaza de la Independencia, through the main park, then through the 50s of Dos de Mayo street and I stop at La Cucarda café. The same time, always. To my right she stands, pale, even paler these nights under the full moon, silent and sad.
Walking these streets brings back the same feelings of the first time. Their houses with large wooden doors, high ceilings, wrought iron windows and ample balconies that give a glimpse of the splendor they once enjoyed. All of this automatically transports me to other dimensions. Their adobe walls speak, tell tales of flirtatious young girls peeking out from them with furtive gaze, delivering messages to their young lovers; they tell tales of strife, of songs of freedom and torment. In the distance, Allqu awaits. I arrive at the doors of La Cucarda but she does not come in. His presence intimidates her. Only those of us who are still can enter these doors. Allqu, a beautiful Hairless Dog, furls his in euphoria as he welcomes me.”
It is remarkable how historical places such as Lambayque and historical icons such as the Peruvian Hairless Dog can produce in us similar sensations. I couldn’t help but see-ing in these lines of her text a reflection of my own introspections: the same shapes, the same colors, the same ghost from the past playing in my imagination.
Each time I come to Lambayeque my wonderment is renewed; it’s because of the way its history and its present meet and cohabit in a magical and improbable dance. It’s a place where modernity arrives in with a short and paused step; where that very Peruvian eagerness to get rid of “the old” in order to flatten the terrain for that which is novel takes a break. Here, the same streets that see Chinese and Japanese cars transit through them protect in an uncertain way ancient Peruvian treasures such as a colonial balcony with over two-and-a-half centuries of history, or and altarpiece with over three.
I find it sad when I think of a time when these things will only be available to us in the pages of books and stories of people who, like Nevenka, insist on writing them down. But I find a certain comfort in knowing we’re at least happily saving on of our national historic treasure from that uncertain future that loomed over it only some years ago. Because today Peru is waking from its lethargic attitude toward the Peruvian Hairless Dog and, through cultural initiatives like that of Nevenka and her stories of mystery that present it to the world, the historic magic and beautiful mystery of the very important Peruvian breed is being preserved for the future.
In 2010 I was at the International Canine Championship in Monaco with my dog Llasha Pelito—Killa, we lovingly called her—who had the previous year given me the great joy of being the first female Peruvian Hairless Dog to win the Mediterranean trophy and who had just now done it again, becoming the first Hairless Dog to be crowned Champion of Monaco on April 10, 2010. Needless to say, I was beside my-self with pride for this little dog who represented Peru and her breed; more so knowing that this triumph would mark a milestone in the history of our only Peruvian canine breed. But I would never have guessed that this visit to Monaco would have for us another award that, although not officialized by a contest, certainly carried Royal weight.
We were walking around the contest facilities, Killa and I, looking for a way out to get some fresh air and enjoy the nice spring sunshine in Monaco. Those who have attended one of these events in similar facilities will know how complicated it is to find the right way and how easy it is to get absolutely lost and end up in the boiler room! Well, on this occasion Killa and I had some luck and we ended up finding a side exit that opened up to an empty little street, where a small parking lot collected the cars of the contest officials, and a park with olive trees inaugurated a beautiful prospect of the hills surrounding the Monegasque bay with its sumptuous houses that glow white under the April sun. The natural landscape brought back memories of my childhood home and the gardens of Lima, of the fig tree with its delicious aromatic fruits that came from the Peruvian Government Palace and we had inherited from my great-grandfather, and that, like the olive trees of Lima, had been brought there in the 1530s by a woman from Seville who is recognized as the founder of the “Lost Orchard” of the Holy Conception Monastery and for introducing a great variety of European flora to the City of Kings (Lima) and, thus, Peru in general.
I took a puff from my e-cigarette in celebration of how happy I was and I let Killa happily sniff the grass in the perfect park of olive trees that was there just for her. Suddenly, I heard a somewhat age-broken voice exclaim with enthusiasm:
“That little dog is a Peruvian Hairless!”.
I wheeled round, quite surprised, because it’s not as common as the reader of a blog about Hairless Dogs may think, perhaps, to hear that people recognize the breed in the street. My surprise would only increase when I saw the person who had produced the exclamation: a very old woman opening the passenger door of a luxurious black car, leaning on a cane, halfway out of her seat, whom I immediately recognized as Antoinette Louise Alberte Suzanne Grimaldi, Countess of Polignac, Baroness of Massy, sister of Prince Rainier III, and Princess Consort of Monaco—as well as President of the Monaco Humane Society of Animals and the Société Canine de Monaco, and, of course, unequaled cynophile!
If you doubt the title… the one of “unequaled cynophile”, that is… I will say that Her Serene Highness the Princess Antoinette of Monaco at some point had over 400 dogs at her property in the locality of Èze, in France, very close to the Monegasque border. In addition to being sponsor to at least one house for dogs and cats, that we know of, based in the United Kingdom. Born on December 28, 1920 in Paris, she was the eldest sister of Prince Rainier III (who ruled the Principality of Monaco for almost 56 years, more than 30 of them with Oscar-winning American actress Grace Kelly as Princess Consort of Monaco) and aunt of Albert II, the current Prince of Monaco. At 30 years of age, she assumed the Presidency of the Société Canine de Monaco, having already been President of the Monaco Humane Society, as I mentioned a moment ago.
All this I already knew; I also knew that, as expected, she frequently went to canine competitions in Monaco, so I was not at all surprised to find her arriving at the facilities of the International Canine Contest where Killa competed. What did surprise me was that HSH Princess Antoinette of Monaco, at age 89, would approach Killa without ceremony and rather like someone who sees a cute puppy and cannot help but crouch down to pet it. Actually, with a sudden agility that left me speechless coming from a woman of her age, she played around with Killa, happy to see a dog of such a unique breed and, moreover, to have it all to herself, to the point of asking me for the strap to walk the dog a little while.
There is something that the presence of a member of the Royalty produces in one that can only be expressed as a “tense and respectful reserve”. And, of course, whoever knows a dog knows they usually don’t believe in solemnity… but not so a Peruvian Hairless Dog: they are a completely separate creature. Looking down I smiled again with pride to see that Killa received the petting of the Princess and the words of tenderness she offered with a thanking movement of her tail but, otherwise, was absolutely still, proud, with her chest thrown out in front of her as if saying: “I’m a princess too, you know? A Moche princess!”
Of course, HSH Princess Antoinette of Monaco knew of this breed through her long career in the international canine world and therefore recognized the Hairless Dog’s long and uncertain path and, above all, the ancestral and historical value that it carried with it. Nonetheless, this was the first time that a Peru-born Peruvian Hairless Dog was presented in a championship in his country and, undoubtedly, the first time she had the opportunity to welcome it there. So, in addition to petting and congratulating Killa, she told me she was pleased to receive for the first time a specimen of a country as far away as Peru.
In that chat we had outside of the International Canine Contest in Monaco, HSH Princess Antoinette of Monaco not only recognized the Peruvian Hairless Dog for its physical attributes but also, and above all, for its behavioral qualities.
“Rather than for its own qualities, I appreciate the dog more for the qualities of its master,”
said the Princess, referring to the fact that the good behavior of a dog has as much to do with rearing as with genetics. She also told me that her mother, Princess Charlotte, was a big fan of the dogs, too… perhaps even too great of a fan, to the point of appearing “more interested in their dogs than her children,” she told me, with somewhat of a smile.
La Riviera: El Peñón de Monaco.
This brief encounter between a European Princess and a Peruvian World Champion and the great respect the former showed for the Peruvian Hairless Dog was one of the cornerstones that vehemently set me on the path of revaluing this dog. Even then it made me understand that this dog was very much loved internationally by the few people who knew of it. It was therefore well worth it to make everyone know of it and value it; especially in its own country, where even today it is necessary to continue investing efforts in the movement to popularize this breed and get it to receive from the authorities the respect it deserves.
Almost a year after the meeting that I mention here, on March 18, 2011, HSH Princess Antoinette of Monaco died at the age of 90. That she was a rather controversial figure is undoubtedly true, and that in the place of power and abundance that was bestowed upon her she will have set her efforts and placed her signature to very many things in life is certain, but that she is above all remembered for her great work in favor of animals and, specifically, dogs is undeniable. After her death, the position of President of the Humane Society and of the Société Canine de Monaco was assumed by her daughter, Baroness Elizabeth-Ann of Massy, who in this way continues today with the work of her mother and grandmother.
A little over a year after the death of the Princess, my own dear Killa died in Paris on September 8, 2012. She too is remembered for the great work she did for her fellow canines, especially the Peruvian Hairless Dogs, whom she always represented with great pride and much success in the world.
In many ways this last event, the loss of two of my beloved dogs in 2012, as those who are already regulars of this blog know, was another great cornerstone that set me on the path toward working for the revaluation of the Peruvian Hairless Dog From the context of this work is that the films about the Peruvian Hairless Dog that I have produced in the last years have been born; films that in some way also serve as a tribute to these great dogs who represented their race so wonderfully in to the world. Furthermore, with some happiness I recently learned that the “Princess Antoinette Park”, a municipal park on the boulevard Jardin Exotique, is dedicated to HSH Princess Antoinette of Monaco. And that, in addition to offering multiple activities to families and the entire community—including Monegasque dogs, of course—the park is dedicated to the sacred olive tree… a detail that undoubtedly made me think of the small and pleasant coincidences of life that brought me having a chance conversation with the Princess of Monaco, one afternoon in April 2010, while she was playing with my little dog Killa, World Champion of her breed, in a small Monegasque park where olive trees grew.
Lucy Nikitochkina lives in the Russian capital, Moscow, and is the current President of the “Peruvian Hairless Dog” National Club (Национальный клуб породы “перуанская голая собака” — НКП перуанская голая собака), founded in February 2010 with the main goal protecting and promoting this breed.
She tells us: “Our club is not big but its members are true enthusiasts of this breed. It’s made up of a team of friends who work together, and the Peruvian Hairless Dogs are the main members of that great family.”
In addition, since 1995, she and Olga, her mother, run a kennel of this breed called Van Edelsieger. Their kennel has received awards in the last European canine championships of 2016 and 2017 as the best Peruvian Hairless Dog kennel. In it, they not only dedicate themselves to the health of their dogs through health exams (eye, DNA, heart exams, etc.) but also through physical activities (swimming and general training) that ensure their dogs are in optimal health and physical condition, so the happy family that chooses them will be able to enjoy their company for a long time.
Both, mother and daughter, are passionate about national and international canine competitions. It is there where one can witness the progress of their work because the awards obtained in competition demonstrate their effort in the selection and breeding of their dogs.
“But we’re just barely at the beginning of a long road to travel in the breeding of the coated variety,” says Lucy.
Russia, a nation with over 142 million inhabitants, has more than 15 million pet dogs. Of those, today, 250 are Peruvian Hairless Dogs, and this number continues to grow. Russia has 5 Hairless Dogs kennels. Moreover, it has a national club that promotes activities in favor of this breed. Lastly, all Russian Peruvian Hairless Dog kennels have both varieties: hairless and coated. (http://www.fci.be/es/statistics/ByNco.aspx?iso=RU)
“I was very interested in understanding why Peruvian Hairless Dogs have no hair,” says Lucy. “I studied about the FOXI3 gene, which is responsible for the lack of hair. I knew Peruvian Hairless Dogs had a coated variety. My first coated dog was born before the August 13, 2013 standard, which is why I didn’t include her in the breeding program. She was born in my kennel. Her name is Avrora Astra Eos van Edelsieger—at home we call her Avrora. Avrora taught me coated dogs are even sweeter than naked ones. Unfortunately, I had to sell her as a pet and she has no offspring. But after the new standard came into effect I understood I had to include the furry ones in my breeding program. Currently, I have some I’ll use for breeding who are also successfully participating in dog shows.”
FCI – Standard-FCI N° 310: “The recognition of the coated variety, for show and for breeding, favours the expansion of genetic variability, improving the breed’s strength and attracts new breeders.”
FCI – Standard-FCI N° 310: “… Disdained from any breeding program, its current recognition in the light of developments in the study of its genome emphasizes the genetic value of the breed and contributes to its development and preservation. The recognition of the coated variety, for show and for breeding, favours the expansion of genetic variability, improving the breed’s strength and attracts new breeders. Initially to be registered, the coated variety must be the product of two hairless dogs duly registered in a stud book or breeding record. The coated variety can only be mated to a hairless specimen of the breed and subsequently also for generations to come. The mating between coated specimens is banned, just like the registrations of these in any studbooks without duly registered parents.”
Lucy tells us the challenge of the coated variety issues from the fact that, by definition, the breed is best known for its hairless specimens—which are, in themselves, already rather exotic. Many canine judges do not know the breed very well and, when they see a dog of the same breed that is furry, they are impressed. This, however, does not discourage Russian breeders, whose sole objective is to show the world how beautiful this variety is.
“Hloris Flora van Edelsieger,” Lucy says, “—we call her Flora. Flora is a little dog with sandy hair, small size (measures 33 cm.), and has a nice type. Flora won in her class at the 2017 Euro Dog Show and the 2017 World Dog Show. Flora is very successful and is making an excellent campaign for the recognition of her variety. In addition, she has won first place along with the hairless variety, which is a great success.”
“At the 2017 World Dog Show in Leipzig–Germany,” Lucy continues, “even more coated dogs participated [5 coated ones and 67 hairless, for a total of 72 Peruvian dogs (https://www.wds2017.de/fileadmin/media/wds/meldestatistik/Statistic_of_entries_WDS_2017.pdf) and, as always, I thought that the coated variety is a detector of the line preferred by a certain kennel. In fact, this variety helps improve the Hairless Dog, while dogs without hair, don’t. If you look closely at the coated dog you’ll understand: some coated dogs look more like other breeds rather than the Peruvian Hairless Dog. And I like the line of coated dogs because they resemble my own image of the ideal Peruvian Hairless Dog.
“Some time ago,” Lucy continues, “the European breeders and I discussed the fact that now there are more and more coated dogs being born. Regrettably, in Russia some coated dogs were sacrificed before this variety was recognized as an official breed. I believe some European breeders sacrificed coated dogs, too. I think the recognition of the coated variety gave [these dogs] the opportunity to live. Our breed is unique and we mustn’t lose the genetic contribution coated dogs when bred. I really hope the Coated Peruvian Hairless Dog becomes even more well known in my country. Our country is very big and this breed (both hairless and coated) could make many people happy. It’s a very affectionate breed that gives more love and happiness to its owners. Now, several excellent actual Peruvian specimens
have been imported into Russia. I’ve met some people who’re simply in love with the breed and who help us at the kennel. They’re now part of our family of breeders. And the quality of the dogs being born in Russia is today much better than in the past. Russian breeders are trying to keep this wonderful breed alive.”
Written by: Pedro Santiago Allemant Published on: February 16, 2019
France is the first country in history to officially recognise the Coated Peruvian Hairless Dog!
Prejudice or bad precedent? What’s certain is that, after centuries of existence, the Peruvian Hairless Dog variantwith coat is still considered by many as a “chusco” dog (mutt), or a genetic failure resulting from the crossbreeding of dogs without hair and dogs with coat. However, thanks to the committed work of an important few, light is being shed on the fact that this idea is not only absolutely wrong, but also harmful to the Hairless breed itself. Thus, stigma and discrimination are finally giving way to acceptance as this variant is being welcome in certain foreign countries, not only as an official breed in its own right, but also as one of great popularity in foreign homes.
2 or 3 dogs per litter that, unfortunately, in all probability would be sacrificed by the breeder at birth.
TheCoated Peruvian Hairless Dog was considered the embarrassment of the Hairless family, the weird uncle that must be hidden down in the basement at all cost. Meaning that the chances of finding a family that would want a Coated Hairless Dog were close to nil. Nonetheless, the average percentage of the Hairless Dog population born with hair is around 25%—that is, a probability of 2 or 3 coated dogs in a litter of 6 to 8. These were 2 or 3 dogs per litter that, unfortunately, in all probability would be sacrificed by the breeder at birth.
At the beginning of the 2000s, while I was participating in a canine championship, I asked a breeder the question: “What do you do when you have a coated dog in the litter?”
She replied: “If you have a coated one you eliminate it or you shoot yourself!”
This event aroused my interest and I immediately wanted to deepen my knowledge of this variant of the millenary Hairless breed to understand the incoherence of nature that produces—as genetic “failures”—individuals born almost exceptionally without a feature that, from another point of view, is in itself a genetic “flaw”: the lack of hair. My intention then was to find ways to avoid the hard-won prestige the Hairless Dog breed was finally beginning to obtain from being spoiled due to the existence of some specimens that did not fit within the accepted canons. In other words, the intention was to avoid having our Hairless Dog placed in the “Uncertain Breeds” bin (where breeds prone to genetic “flaws” go) just because of some coated individuals that were being born. What I would find, however, was much more dramatic and completely changed my perspective of the Hairless Dog and its variant withCoat.
To understand the coated variant, I said to myself, I have to first understand why dogs without hair exist. Thus, I entered little by little into a world of history, geography and genetics that brought me face to face with the direct “culprit”: the “FOXI3” gene. In turn, this brought me the most indisputable evidence in the case in favor of the coated Hairless Dogs.
It is better to cross a dog that was born without hair with another that was born with coat under certain criteria. [See Annex I for the breed standard – FCI].
Biologist Víctor F. Vásquez Sánchez explains that the FOXI3 “is a gene that is present in several mammals and [that], in the case of the Peruvian Hairless Dog, manifests itself as a disease that causes hair loss and changes in its dentures.” He also explains that there are two variants of the same gene: one dominant, H, responsible for the lack of hair, and one recessive, h, not mutated, i.e. responsible for the fur. The gene exists always in pairs and, when the dominant variant is present in one of the copies, Hh, it will always be physically evident in the dog: the dog will be born without hair. On the other hand, if it so happens that both copies of the gene are recessive, hh, the dog will be born coated. And that both these possibilities occur in the same litter, i.e. that some individuals are Hh and others hh, is absolutely natural and inevitable. Which leads us to our first finding: that the Coated Hairless Dog is natural and inevitable.
But Vásquez Sánchez continues explaining something that is especially important for the future of the Hairless breed: he tells us that when two copies of the dominant variant, HH, are found in a dog, the FOXI3 gene becomes lethal, causing the death of the embryo. Which is exactly what “you want to avoid to preserve the breed,” he tells us. This means that for the survival of the animal it is necessary to ensure that the HH combination does not occur and this is achieved, says Vásquez Sánchez, by avoiding “crossing the Hairless Dog in a consanguineous and indiscriminate way: you must always cross it with other specimens,” as well as crossing a dog without hair with one of the same breed with coat, thus effectively eliminating the possibility that the hairless variant, H, of the FOXI3 gene is duplicated, causing the death of the embryo. (Vásquez Sánchez, Víctor F., FOXI3 —Biologist, MSc in Plant Biotechnology and full doctoral studies in Cell Genetics and Biology at the Autonomous University of Madrid – ARQUEOBIOS.)
Thus, I obtained not only the reason behind the lack of hair in this millenary breed, but also evidence of the importance of its coated variant in ensuring the survival of the breed itself. It was now clear to me that any attempt to get rid of the variant with coat would only put the Peruvian Hairless Dog on a direct path toward extinction. [See Annex II for more information regarding this finding.]
Luckily, shortly after beginning my research, the world began to change its the negative regard of Coated Hairless Dogs, too.
Magenta Sweety Punk, a female dog of the coated variant, becomes a World Champion!
In 1996, after several written requests, the Club de Chihuahua et chiens exotiques (CCCE), chaired by Mr. Goran Brick, received a favorable ruling from the French Société Centrale Canine(SCC) to schedule on the agenda of the next meeting of the Zootechnical Commission the discussion on the use of the Hairless Dog variant with hair in the breeding plan. (Club Français du Chihuahua, du Coton de Tuléar et des Exotiques – afilié à la Société Centrale Canine – agrée par le Ministére de l’Agriculture.)
Finally, the variant with hair was approved by the SCC on July 9, 2008, which marked a second triumph of the Peruvian Hairless Dog breed—the first having been its admission as an official breed thirteen years before.
This was only the beginning. The French breeders would not be satisfied with a national acceptance because for this variant to be recognised worldwide it had to have the approval of Peru, its country of origin. Nonetheless, according to European breeders, this variant was not officially recognised in Peru; only the specimen without hair was recognised, thus not taking into account the aforementioned genetic requirements.
Estelle Anthoni Koch, French breeder of Peruvian Hairless Dogs, explains to us the difficulties French breeders (first to demand the recognition of the Coated Hairless Dog) have faced and are still facing: “We have struggled for the coated ones to be recognised because, at first, nobody wanted to register them in the national pedigree like any other dog. Finally, France managed to be the first country to accept the registration of coated dogs; although, at first, we were still not allowed to present them in exhibitions. So a new struggle began to that end. In spite of this, [the Coated Hairless Dog] is still not well-represented because we see them very little in exhibitions. Even in terms of reproduction we don’t frequently keep them because a Peruvian Hairless Dog is, by definition, naked—we therefore don’t want to have many coated ones. I actually think it’s because we’re afraid our kennel will fill up with them. I admit that essentially it’s the naked variant we like best!”
At the same time, we must not forget that other European countries—Germany and Sweden, among them—also ventured into the recognition of the Coated Hairless variant in their breeding programs.
In 2010, Choopetta de Luna Capreza obtained the title of French Champion, thus becoming the first Coated Peruvian Hairless Dog in history to obtain such an award. This recognition placed France as a leading country in the recovery and protection of this millenary Peruvian race and Choopetta herself as a precursor of the variantwith coat in said country, and the world.
Finally, in 2013 this variant was recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, giving way to the opening up of the Peruvian Hairless Dog pedigree to its new variant withCoat. Five years of struggle by French and European breeders so that their coated dogs could enter the official breeding programs finally paid off. Now the dream came true! (https://elcomercio.pe/lima/conoce-variedad-perros-peruanos-pelo-252165).
Thus, in 2015, for the first time in the history of the cynological world, Magenta Sweety Punk, a female Hairless Dog of the variant with coat, became a World Champion (World Winner)! In the true and surprising fashion in which this Peruvian millenary dog has today become an official citizen of the world, Magenta hails from a Belgian kennel and is owned by a Croatian.
This victory is yet another motivation for European and Peruvian breeders and, in general, all who is interested in upholding the value of the Peruvian Hairless Dog in all its variants. But we must not forget the road that led to it. From the outside it is easy to dismiss the trials and tribulations of the Coated Peruvian Hairless Dog as eccentricities of a very specific group of people or, at best, evidence of how the world works: rejecting, segregating, only gradually evolving towards tolerance and acceptance. But behind these figures and statistics there are individuals affected by them over the many years before this struggle came to fruition: like all the coated dogs that were eliminated because they were different, and the breeders that were forced to abandon their activities as they became targets of criticism and defamation from those sectors that are reluctant to change.
ANNEX I: SCIENTIFIC FACTS
Can de variedad con pelo de padres sin pelo con incisivos muy deteriorados por la edad (FCI: En la variedad con pelo la dentición debe ser completa con dientes de desarrollo y posición normal (no debe faltar más de una pieza dental en la variedad con pelo). Foto : Arql. Teresa Rosales Tham, Perú.
The Peruvian Hairless Dog, Chinese Crested Dog and Mexican breeds are characterised by their scarce or absent fur, as well as their missing or deformed permanent dentures (5, 10). The journal Nature talks about the structure of the mandibular and maxillary premolars and the permanent molars associated with the FOXI3 gene in a historical pedigree collection of skeletons of Hairless Dogs with and without hair. This unique sample dating from the beginning of the 20th century onward is derived from a breeding experiment by Ludwig Plate (German zoologist and disciple of Ernst Haeckel in Jena) originally conceived to study the inheritance of both hair and skin characteristics. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-05764-5.pdf)
Ludwig Plate wrote a work on Darwinism called “Thorough and Extensive Defence”. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Hermann_Plate)
FCI-STANDARD N° 310 – PERRO SIN PELO DEL PERU (PERUVIAN HAIRLESS DOG)
ANNEX II: REMINDER OF THE FUNDAMENTAL FACTS (CCCE – France):
(Club Français du Chihuahua, du Coton de Tuléar et des Exotiques – afilié à laSociété Centrale Canine – agree par le Ministére de l’Agriculture.)
The variant with hair is not the result of a genetic defect and excluding it from reproduction will not prevent the future and sustained birth of coated specimens.
If we accept the notion of the lethality of the FOXI3 gene (the “hairless” gene) when it is duplicated in the individual, we must also accept the result that all living specimens without hair have two different genes: one “hairless” and one “with hair”, being the “hairless” gene the dominant one and, therefore, the one that physically manifests itself in the individual. Thus, the mating of two naked specimens statistically produces 25% of coated dogs in the litter because each parent has a gene “with hair” to offer. The fundamental fact is that no eradication program can end this: necessarily and naturally there will be coated individuals.
Therefore, the variant with hair is not the result of a genetic defect and excluding it from reproduction will not prevent the future and sustained birth of coated specimens.
The elimination of the coated ones represents a loss of their genetic heritage. This sustained loss of genetic capital is catastrophic if we consider that this is an extremely rare breed.
Statistically, the mating of two Hairless Dog specimens results in:
1/4 or 25% of viable specimens from two genes “with hair”: these dogs are born with In France, in general, they were sacrificed, which represents a loss of their genetic heritage and, in addition, a contradiction to the position of the Commission of Animal Husbandry, which defends a genetic variability as great as possible in the breed. This sustained loss of genetic capital is catastrophic if we consider that this is an extremely rare breed.
1/4 or 25% of nonviable specimens from two “hairless” genes: these dogs die in their embryonic state.
2/4 or 50% of viable specimens from one “hairless” gene and one gene “with hair”: these dogs are born without hair.
In reality, and due to the mortality of the specimens produced from two “hairless” genes, always at least 1/3 or 33% of the viable dogs are coated specimens.
In France, measures taken in favor of the inclusion of the variant with hair have been destined to help the breeding of the Peruvian Hairless Dog by:
An increase in the number of breeders,
Maintaining sufficient genetic variety, and
The reduction of prenatal and postnatal mortality due to a decrease in the breeding between two hairless subjects.
Finally, it should be noted that in most countries governed by the FCI this non-recognition prevented the variant with hair from being presented in exhibitions but did not exclude it in any way from the breeding plan. This practice evidently already represented a great advance in the breeding of the Hairless breed in Europe.
Thanks to:
Mr. Daniel Arnoult, current President of the Club CCCE (Club de Chihuahua et chiens exotiques).
Biol. Víctor Félix Vásquez Sánchez – Specialist in Bioarchaeology, Cell Biology and Genetics – Honorary Professor of the Department of Biology of the Autonomous University of Madrid. Director of ARQUEOBIOS.
In 2019 we released a documentary short film titled “The Peruvian Hairless Dog with Hair”. The title introduces the paradox of the existence of a variant that contradicts the name of the race. However, this first film on the subject reveals the existence and importance of this variant of Hairless Dog. It presents a lot of new information that, until then, no Peruvian institution had dared to broadcast—perhaps due to lack of interest or little research on this subject. The film introduces scientific studies that, when investigating the hairy variant, link for the first time the genetic condition of the Hairless Dog and the Foxi3 gene responsible for the lack of hair. The film was premiered at the Instituto Cervantes in Paris under the auspices of the Peruvian Embassy and was followed by a lecture led by biologist Víctor Vásquez Sánchez, President of the Arqueobios Association.
Both, mother and daughter, are passionate about national and international canine competitions. It is there where one can witness the progress of their work because the awards obtained in competition demonstrate their effort in the selection and breeding of their dogs.
(Vásquez Sánchez, Víctor F., FOXI3 —Biologist, MSc in Plant Biotechnology and full doctoral studies in Cell Genetics and Biology at the Autonomous University of Madrid – ARQUEOBIOS.)
the French Société Centrale Canine (SCC) to schedule on the agenda of the next meeting of the Zootechnical Commission the discussion on the use of the Hairless Dog variant with hair in the breeding plan. (Club Français du Chihuahua, du Coton de Tuléar et des Exotiques – afilié à la Société Centrale Canine – agrée par le Ministére de l’Agriculture.)
If we accept the notion of the lethality of the FOXI3 gene (the “hairless” gene) when it is duplicated in the individual, we must also accept the result that all living specimens without hair have two different genes: one “hairless” and one “with hair”, being the “hairless” gene the dominant one and, therefore, the one that physically manifests itself in the individual. Thus, the mating of two naked specimens statistically produces 25% of coated dogs in the litter because each parent has a gene “with hair” to offer. The fundamental fact is that no eradication program can end this: necessarily and naturally there will be coated individuals.
