A dog-lover in Peru might have a solution to the Obama family's pet problem.
US President-elect Barack Obama promised his two daughters a new puppy during his election night speech. The problem is that Malia, his oldest, is allergic to most breeds.
Enter Peru's national dog - a bald and often toothless breed that was popular among Incan kings.
Claudia Galvez, the 38-year-old director of the Friends of the Peruvian Hairless Dog Association, offered to send a hypoallergenic puppy to the first family.
'They do not cause any type of allergy and are very friendly and sweet,' said Ms Galvez.
'We want to give a male puppy to Obama's daughters, so they get to experience all the joys of having a dog but without any allergies.'
According to Peruvian folklore, the dogs have above-average body temperature, which compensates for their lack of hair. The breed dates back 3,000 years and is depicted in pre-Hispanic ceramics.
Ms Galvez delivered a letter detailing her offer to the US embassy in Lima this week and hopes Obama will accept it.
She would send them a 4-month-old pedigree puppy named Ears, but adds 'if we send it to the United States, its official name will be Machu Picchu', referring to the ancient Incan citadel, Peru's top tourist attraction.
