Top 10 Hairless Dog Breeds: Adorable Without A Hairdo Discover hypoallergenic dogs: ideal for allergy sufferers. By Lauren Murphy Lauren Murphy Lauren Murphy is a cat and dog expert and writer who is also a dedicated Humane Society volunteer. She has also been trained in animal behavior and is an experienced dog walker and pet sitter. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 06/09/25 Credit: The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova Key Takeaways Many hairless dog breeds, such as the Mexican hairless and Chinese crested, are beloved for their smooth skin and low grooming needs.These breeds are great for allergy sufferers due to their lack of shedding.Despite being hairless, these breeds still require care like regular baths and skin protection from environmental factors like sunburn and cold weather. Hairless dog breeds are known for lacking fur or hair a trait that makes them unique. Several breeds have a bald or "naked" look, which some dog lovers appreciate for its sleek feel and the lack of shedding to clean up. While they vary in appearance and personality, most hairless dog breeds tend to be fairly cuddly and enjoy curling up with their humans for warmth. From the relatively well-known Mexican hairless to the rare Abyssinian sand terrier, here are 10 of the best hairless dog breeds. Tip Hairless dogs may not be shedders, but they still need grooming to keep their skin healthy. Bathe your hairless dog regularly to cleanse the skin, and apply a dog-safe moisturizer to dry skin as needed. Also, be sure to protect the dog's skin from sunburn and cold weather. 01 of 10 Xoloitzcuintli Credit: Ирина Мещерякова / Getty Images The Xoloitzcuintli, also known as the Mexican hairless dog, comes in both hairless and short-coated varieties. Both varieties are exceptionally low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, though skin protection is a must. Xolos are an ancient Aztec breed dating back thousands of years. The dogs tend to be loyal and alert, making excellent watchdogs. While they can be protective when necessary, Xolos also are known for their calm nature. They aren’t illegal, but they are expensive, with prices as high as $4,000 for Xolo puppies. Breed Overview Group: Non-SportingHeight: 10 to 14 inches (toy); 14 to 18 inches (miniature); 18 to 23 inches (standard)Weight: 10 to 15 pounds (toy); 15 to 30 pounds (miniature); 30 to 55 pounds (standard)Personality/Temperament: Intelligent and protectiveEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Can be completely hairless or have a short, flat coat; range of dark colors, including black, gray-black, slate, red, liver (brown), or bronzeLife Span: 14 to 17 years 02 of 10 American Hairless Terrier Credit: Ienanet / Getty Images The American hairless terrier descended from the rat terrier. Starting in the 1970s, rat terriers were selectively bred for their hairless coats. And, while some American hairless terriers are still born with a light coat, they mostly feature the hairless trait. These dogs tend to be quite smart, active, and playful. They make good family dogs and have a high prey drive for small rodents. Breed Overview Group: TerrierHeight: 12 to 16 inchesWeight: 12 to 16 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Intelligent, lively, playfulEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Can be hairless or have a very short coat; colors include black, chocolate, red, apricot, and various combinationsLife Span: 14 to 16 years 03 of 10 Chinese Crested Credit: Martine Roch / Getty Images Chinese crested dogs come in two varieties: hairless and powderpuff. The hairless variety actually has fluffy tufts of hair on the head, ears, paws, and tail. The amount of hair can vary among dogs, and the powderpuff variety has a long, soft double coat over the whole body. Both the hairless and powderpuff varieties can come from the same litter. Experts aren’t sure about this ancient breed’s origins. Large hairless dogs from Africa might have been brought to China and bred to be a smaller size. Today, these dogs tend to be very loving and cuddly, though they have an energetic and playful side as well. Breed Overview Group: ToyHeight: 11 to 13 inchesWeight: 8 to 12 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Lively, playful, cheerful, intelligent, social, companionableEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Can be hairless except for the head, tail, and feet or fully coated; spotted pink skin with feathery white hairLife Span: 13 to 18 years 04 of 10 Peruvian Inca Orchid Credit: manx_in_the_world / Getty Images Also known as the Peruvian hairless, the Peruvian Inca orchid is the national dog of Peru. This breed originated in ancient Peru, where they were mostly kept as a companion dog. Most Peruvian Inca orchids are completely hairless, though some can have short patches of fur on their head, paws, and tip of the tail. These dogs are rare in the United States. They tend to be very affectionate with and protective of their families, and can develop separation anxiety when left alone. They also are athletic little dogs that need quite a bit of exercise to wear them out. Breed Overview Group: Miscellaneous (AKC)Height: 9.75 to 15.75 inches (small); 15.75 to 19.75 inches (medium); 19.75 to 25.75 inches (large)Weight: 8.5 to 17.5 pounds (small); 17.5 to 26.5 pounds (medium); 26.5 to 55 pounds (large)Personality/Temperament: Intelligent, noble, alert, affectionate, lively, protectiveEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Hairless or, very rarely, tufts of hair in spots; skin color varies but can include black, brown, gray, pink, tan, and whiteLife Span: 10 to 12 years Continue to 5 of 10 below 05 of 10 Argentine Pila Dog Credit: Monica E. Cassels / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 A close relative to the Peruvian Inca orchid, the Argentine pila is a hairless dog prized for their soft skin. While they are mostly hairless, some pila dogs do have small tufts of fur on the top of their heads and on their tails. This rare breed comes in three size categories and is primarily found in its native Argentina. Argentine pila dogs tend to be affectionate, playful, and adaptable to new environments. Breed Overview Height: 10 to 14 inches (small); 14 to 18 inches (medium); 18 to 25 inches (large)Weight: 9 to 18 pounds (small); 18 to 25 pounds (medium); 25 to 55 pounds (large)Personality/Temperament: Loyal, sensitive, alertEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Hairless; can have small tufts of fur on head and tail; skin color varies and can include spotted or piebald markingsLife Span: 10 to 12 years 06 of 10 Hairless Khala Credit: Pleple2000 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 Hairless Khalas, also known as Bolivian hairless dogs, are a rare hairless dog breed originating in Bolivia. They look quite similar to the Peruvian Inca orchid and Xoloitzcuintli and likely share ancestors. Like other hairless breeds, some of these dogs do have small tufts of hair, especially on their heads. These dogs love their humans and will fearlessly protect them, so training is a must to keep them friendly with those outside of your household. Breed Overview Height: 14 to 17 inches (medium); 17 to 20 inches (large)Weight: 14 to 30 pounds (medium); 18 to 20 pounds (large)Personality/Temperament: Calm, attentive, friendly but may be reserved with strangersEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Hairless, short, or medium coat; dark gray skin; tufts of white hair on headLife Span: 10 to 12 years 07 of 10 Jonangi Credit: Vedichunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 Jonangi dogs are native to India, where they were bred as herding and hunting dogs. The breed is quite rare today. Many of these dogs are not hairless but instead have a very short, smooth coat that’s nearly invisible. Jonangis tend to be wary around strangers, but they are exceptionally friendly toward those they know, including kids and other pets in the home. Moreover, Jonangis have a similar disposition and muscularity to bull terriers, and they have a distinctive yodel instead of a bark. Breed Overview Height: 17 to 21 inchesWeight: 28 to 48 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Protective, alert, loyalEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Short, smooth and nearly hairless; may have more hairs on head; colors include fawn, black, white, and chocolate; can have piebald markingsLife Span: 10 to 12 years 08 of 10 Abyssinian Sand Terrier Credit: LindasPhotography / Getty Images The Abyssinian sand terrier is an extremely rare breed that also goes by the name African hairless dog. Some dogs within the breed are completely hairless, while others have small tufts of hair on the top of the head and tip of the tail. If you’re looking for a canine exercise buddy with a quiet and calm temperament, the Abyssinian sand terrier is the dog for you. They're a fairly small- to medium-sized dog with a long, sleek body. Breed Overview Height: 15.5 to 20.5 inchesWeight: 21 to 39 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Calm, quiet, lovingEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Hairless except for tufts of hair on head and tail; colors include black, gray, bronze, sand; skin can have mottled markingsLife Span: 10 to 12 years Continue to 9 of 10 below 09 of 10 Hairless Chihuahua Credit: MightyPics / Getty Images Hairless chihuahuas are the same breed as coated chihuahuas—they just have a rare genetic defect that causes them to be hairless. But the hairless variety is prone to skin issues, so care and monitoring are essential. Hairless chihuahuas also can get chilled quite easily. Their temperament is just like any other chihuahua. They generally have big personalities, bond very closely with their favorite humans, and are protective of their territory. Breed Overview Group: ToyHeight: 6 to 9 inchesWeight: 2 to 6 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Petite frame; big eyes; large upright ears; short muzzle; slender legsPersonality/Temperament: Loyal, alert, lively, attentive, companionableEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Hairless, short, or long coat; brown, pinkLifespan: 13 to 18 years 10 of 10 Ecuadorian Hairless Dog Another hairless breed is the Ecuadorian hairless dog, which is native to Ecuador and rare in other countries. They are hairless but can have some hair on their face. Like other hairless breeds, caring for their skin is important. These energetic dogs require a lot of mental and physical exercise daily. They can also be laid-back and make great family companions. But because of their prey drive, they may not be suitable for households with smaller pets. Breed Overview Height: 16 to 20 inchesWeight: 24 to 40 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Affectionate, playful, friendlyEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Hairless; can have tufts of hair on face and head; gray, brownLife Span: 12 to 14 years Breed Characteristics One thing these dog breeds all have in common is their coats—they lack hair, have minimal hair, or have tiny hairs that resemble peach fuzz over their skin. These relatively rare dog breeds carry genes that cause them to be completely hairless or have very little hair on their bodies. Some of these breeds are closely related, while others have a more distinct origin. Most are small to medium in size. 10 Best Dog Breeds That Don't Shed Much More Dog Breeds to Explore Want to meet more interesting dog breeds? Check out these: 32 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds for Anyone With Allergies 20 Short-Haired Dogs That Have Few Grooming Needs 23 Best Rare and Unique Dog Breeds Explore more: Dogs Dog Breeds Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Chinese Crested. American Kennel Club. Portas, Cielo. "El perro pelado: Del pie de cama a la moda" [The bare dog: from th foot of the bed to fashion] (PDF). Maiz (in Spanish). La Plata: National University of La Plata. ISSN 2314-1131. Khala breed profile. Continental Kennel Club. Jonangi dog breed. Native Breed.org. Africa : native dog breeds. Native Breed.org.