American Hairless Terrier: Breed Overview

The American Hairless Terrier is a distinctive breed distinguished by its allure and lively demeanor. This breed is a delightful option for people who would rather have a low-shedding companion due to its noticeable lack of fur. The Rat Terrier, which was bred for hunting and agricultural labor, is the ancestor of the American Hairless Terrier, which originated in the southern United States. These days, these canines are cherished family members and excellent friends for people of all ages.

Feature	Description
Breed Name	American Hairless Terrier
Origin	United States
Size	Small to medium
Weight	30-65 pounds
Coat	Hairless or with a short, smooth coat
Temperament	Playful, friendly, and energetic
Exercise Needs	Moderate; daily walks and playtime
Life Span	12-16 years
Good With Kids	Yes, very affectionate
Health Concerns	Skin issues, allergies

The American Hairless Terrier is a distinctive and energetic breed that is well-suited for both individual and family companionship due to its hairless coat and lively disposition. This breed thrives in busy households and is not just for show. It is intelligent, active, and very trainable. American Hairless Terriers are ideal for people looking for a loving pet that can keep up with an active lifestyle and is also low-maintenance in terms of grooming due to their affectionate nature and adaptability.

History of the breed

The first hairless terrier made its appearance in the USA in 1972. Two Rat Terriers had an unintentional litter with a hairless puppy, but they chose not to cull him. The Scott family, terrier breeders who were intrigued by the hairless puppy’s genetic makeup and intended to use him as the progenitor of a new breed, received the unusual dog.

Josephine, a hairless terrier, was the first dog in the Trout Creek kennel.

Puppies from the Scott kennel started to travel across the nation eight years later, though the exact cause of a hairless puppy’s appearance in a litter of terriers—a gene mutation or an infusion of blood from other breeds—remains a mystery. Following the purchase of a few hairless American Terrier puppies by amateur breeders in the late 1980s, the first breed club was established, the AHT standard was developed, and the selection process got underway. But in the United States back in the 1990s, hairless puppies were limited to rat terrier varieties or subspecies.

Hairless terrier enthusiasts didn’t succeed in registering the breed as a separate one until 2004. As a result, the puppies made it to Europe, where they subsequently made their way to Finland, the Czech Republic, and ultimately Russia. Viola, a bitch, was the first hairless terrier puppy ever imported into the Russian Federation. The breeders claimed that this dog’s charm enthralled everyone who saw her. The canine joined the Woodnway kennel as the first.

Currently, the American Terrier breed is growing quickly and actively in Russia, with an increasing number of Americans owning hairless dogs and tracing their ancestry back to the USA. Since its official recognition in 2009, the AGT has been granted the right to compete in exhibitions for the title of Russia’s champion in our nation. This indicates that the American breed standards have been examined and approved by the Russian Cynological Commission.

American Hairless Terrier Breed Standard

The breed standard can be opened to see what the ideal appearance of an AGT dog should be. According to the cynological record, the hairless terrier has an athletic, muscular build and is medium in size. Its body format suggests that the distance between the tips of its paws and the withers is marginally shorter than the length of its body from the chest to its buttocks.

Show Stand for American Hairless Terriers

Animals have robust bodies with straight backs that taper into the lumbar region. The chest is broad, does not compress the internal organs, and extends forward in an oval shape. The traits of balance and proportionality define hairless terriers. Therefore, a small, proportionate, proud head is crowned with upright ears that are slightly cocked forward. The ATG has a wedge-shaped muzzle with a "scissors" bite.

The hairless terrier’s minimal coat, which reaches a millimeter, is its primary characteristic. It is interesting to note that the soft, fluffy fur of AGT puppies wears out after eight weeks of development. In adult dogs, however, the standard permits areas with longer hair.

Because there were fewer animals involved in breeding at the time the breed was formed, American Hairless Terriers were bred with their ancestors, Rat Terriers, in order to preserve their population. Puppies in these litters were both hairy and hairless (it is appropriate to refer to them as "covered"). The animals were carriers of the "naked" gene, meaning that even though they had hair, their litters contained hairless puppies.

One litter of puppies with no clothes on

Regarding color, any combination of solid and spotted dog colors with tints of gray, red, pink, white, or black is acceptable. Dogs that grow their fur into adulthood are limited to two standard colors: sable or pure white.

Hairless terriers’ eyes range in color from pale amber to dark coffee. Typically, the nose is dark brown or black in color. Adult AGTs weigh between three and six kilograms, and they grow to a height of about 35 to 40 centimeters at the withers.

Guys are bigger than girls.

Character of a hairless terrier

Rat terriers, the hairless terrier’s ancestors, were bred to be hunters. On farms, dogs would chase rats that tried to enter chicken coops. Given that it lacks fur, it makes sense that the American Hairless Terrier is meant to be a companion rather than a hunting dog. All the same, AGTs are still alert, protective, and hunting dogs.

American Hairless Terriers have incredibly malleable minds. This breed’s dogs are docile, friendly, easy to train, and manageable. Even an elderly person who is lonely will find solace in the company of a Hairless Terrier, as the breed thrives in households with numerous members, including young children. The AGT is gentle and mindful when interacting with children.

Although hairless terriers are highly energetic and lively, their owners can always tell them to stop having fun.

The hairless terrier is a companion dog, but it also combines unobtrusiveness and the desire to please its owner. The animal can be left alone, but it will immediately come running to its owner’s call and approach. The ability to transition between actions quickly is another distinctive characteristic of hairless terriers. A strong psyche effectively "slows down" the dog; even if you stop the AGT in the middle of a boisterous game, the dog will eventually settle down and stop demanding to play. But, you must cooperate with the dog in order to achieve this outcome.

American Hairless Terriers make good general obedience candidates because they are simple to train. Dogs of this breed will gladly engage in sports competitions or engage in active recreation with their owners. This dog truly enjoys playing ball, swimming, agility (completing an obstacle course), and frisbee (catching flying saucers). However, the AGT also possesses self-worth, loyalty, and even tact when it comes to family members.

Agility: What is it?

More information on the characteristics of agility sports competitions can be found in a special article on our website.

Members of this breed never harm children and get along well with other dogs and animals. The dog does not attempt to disobey the owner’s rules because it quickly accepts them. Hairless terrier owners observe that their dogs are quick to anticipate and predict their commands or wants. For this reason, teaching the AT commonplace skills like finding the TV remote or giving the owner slippers is incredibly simple. For a terrier, nothing matters more than their owner’s unselfish love, care, and affection.

Video – Training an American Hairless Terrier

How to care for an American Hairless Terrier?

A lot of people who are considering getting a hairless dog are put off by potential care challenges. Although maintaining an American Hairless Terrier is not particularly difficult, it is impossible to ignore the differences between these dogs and dogs with fur.

The need for clothing is the first thing an owner of an American Hairless Terrier should be aware of. This can take the form of a fleece jumpsuit in the winter or a light cotton outfit in the summer that shields the dog’s skin from the sun. A hairless terrier can get sunburned on a cloudless summer day, just like any other hairless animal. They can also suffer from wind, rain, and freezing temperatures. The worse the dog’s sunburn, the lighter the dog is. By the way, owners of American Hairless Terriers frequently give their dogs high SPF children’s sunscreen.

The AGT ought to have a wardrobe of its own for all seasons.

Washing the hairless terrier as it gets dirty is necessary because clothing shields the animal’s skin from dirt and temperature fluctuations. Water procedures for the AGT can be completed at least once a week because the animal does not have fur that would become damaged from frequent washing. These dogs’ skin also has remarkable regenerative qualities; scratches and other wounds heal in a matter of days. It’s crucial to avoid using ordinary soap or human shampoos on your hairless terrier; instead, get them specific makeup made for hairless pets. These kinds of shampoos don’t make the dog’s skin dry or itch or hurt.

Shampoo for breeds without hair

It’s interesting that American hairless terriers’ skin is free of fleas and other parasites. The truth is that only ticks are suitable for AT treatment because their lack of a coat prevents them from hiding. Remember to prevent helminthiasis and give the terrier an anthelmintic medication once a quarter, just like you would with any other dog.

Additional routine care is required for the animal, such as routine vaccinations, nail trims, and teeth cleaning.

Hypoallergenicity of the American Hairless Terrier

Some people who have allergies to "wool" breeds believe that hairless terriers are a good fit for them. Given that AGTs have particular skin characteristics, this statement is partially accurate. American hairless terrier skin is unique in that it has a fatty layer on the surface that collects dandruff and dead skin cells. An American hairless terrier can be acquired by those who are allergic to dog hair and skin secretions because these particles are completely removed when washing. A hairless dog has the advantage that its hair won’t fly everywhere in the apartment.

Due to their distinct skin structure, American Hairless Terriers are less likely to cause allergies.

However, the American Hairless Terrier, like all dogs, leaves behind secretions and saliva that are recognized as antigens by allergy sufferers’ immune systems and may not be accepted by them. Consequently, the breed cannot be fully referred to as hypoallergenic. However, these dogs provide an opportunity for people experiencing specific allergic reactions to make a four-legged friend. To determine whether a person is reacting to AHT, you can go visit the puppy breeder and interact with the animals, observing how the body reacts.

Table: Benefits and Drawbacks of the Breed

Pros of acquiring a hairless terrier	Cons of acquiring a hairless terrier
The compact size allows the dog to live comfortably even in a small apartment	The dog needs to be dressed, choosing clothes for each season
Due to the characteristics of the skin, the dog is less allergic	Skin care requires attention from the owner (use of sunscreen, special shampoo)
No hair during shedding, no need to wash for a long time after walks	The dog is not comfortable outside in the cold season, long walks are hardly feasible
Calm but friendly character, easy to train, no aggression	High cost of a puppy – prices for hairless terriers start from 40 thousand rubles

Health of the American Hairless Terrier

AGT is a relatively new breed, and its genetic makeup is still being investigated. However, these dogs have been around for more than a generation in Russia, and breeders guarantee that hairless terriers are not prone to any particular illnesses. The animal’s sensitive skin, which is unprotected from the elements, is its primary weakness.

Keep an eye on your dental hygiene

Another weak point of hairless terriers is the oral cavity. The owner must carefully monitor the hygiene of the dog"s teeth, regularly brush them using a specialized paste, and also provide the pet with edible toys for self-cleaning. The fact is that representatives of this breed are prone to gum inflammation and tartar formation. Otherwise, hairless terriers are strong dogs with excellent immunity.

What to feed an American hairless terrier?

For creating a diet plan for a hairless terrier, ready-made industrial dry food of the super premium or holistic class would be the best choice. For dogs with skin issues, brands like Royal Canin provide a line of complete food called "Dermacomfort." The food’s composition is made to meet the needs of the animal for macro- and micronutrients as well as essential nutrients, while also taking into consideration the unique needs of dogs with sensitive skin.

The Royal Canin Mini Dermacomfort is a dry food.

As an American Terrier in good health does not require a special diet, its owner may focus on other brands such as Pro Plan, Eagle Pack, Savarra, Hills, Go, Acana, Grandorf, and so forth. The most important thing is to feed the animal according to its size and age. Adult American hairless terriers fit into a standard medium breed line.

You will need to consider creating the diet if the pet’s owner is adamant about feeding natural products. Raw meat (beef, rabbit, turkey, or chicken are suitable options) should be the main component of the hairless terrier’s diet. You must cover the meat with boiling water before serving it to the dog, but there’s no use in boiling it because the heat treatment destroys all of the nutrients the dog needs.

An even diet is necessary for agile hairless terriers.

The diet of the hairless American terrier also includes fruits and berries, eggs, fermented milk products (cottage cheese, kefir), vegetables (carrots, zucchini, pumpkin), vegetable oils (olives, burdock, flaxseed), and vegetables. Vitamin supplements are recommended for dogs that consume "natural" food; well-known complexes like Excel 8 in 1, Beaphar, Canvit, and Unitabs Daily Complex are available for purchase. But you can’t just give your pet vitamins blindly; to accurately determine what particular nutrients the animal is lacking, you should first speak with a veterinarian and possibly do a general blood test or biochemistry test.

Feeding a hairless terrier should correspond to physical activity

An adult American terrier should be fed twice a day, following walks, in the morning and the evening. The amount of food served should be more in line with the animal’s activity level than its appetite. It is worthwhile to restrict the amount of food consumed in order to keep the dog from gaining too much weight. Remember that hairless terriers don’t require huge portions or extra calories "to warm up" because their body temperatures are normal, not high.

How to choose a hairless terrier puppy?

Locate a nursery or breeder selling puppies before making an animal purchase, or wait for a litter from a reputable couple in the future. Additionally, you can look up upcoming dog shows and visit them to meet the owners and watch a hairless terrier compete.

An owner and their English Hairless Terrier

You can only take the puppy from the breeder when it is 45 days old, regardless of whether you are purchasing a hairless terrier "for the soul," or a pet class. At this age, purebred animals are given a puppy metric that includes the brand number, details about the parent pair, and information about the breeder. A brand is a groin tattoo that is applied to the puppy. It has a unique digital and letter code that identifies the puppy’s litter and kennel of birth.

Pupil metric filled in

Only after the puppy has been registered is the puppy metric provided. How is this process performed? Examine in a dedicated piece.

Taking a new family member earlier than planned is unacceptable if the dog was bought without proper documentation. Allow the puppy to grow up without a brand or metric; instead, allow him to spend time with his mother, siblings, and other family members, helping him to learn appropriate social and behavioral standards. Recall that a responsible breeder will never sell a puppy that is less than 45 days old.

Puppies of the hairless American terrier reach adulthood quickly, are capable of running with confidence, eating on their own, and are prepared to go to a new home. Most importantly, the babies have already received their first vaccination by now. It also becomes apparent at 45 days of age whether the puppy will actually be hairless or will continue to be covered.

A couple of days old hairless terrier pup

When examining a litter of hairless terriers, you need to pay attention to the general condition of the puppies, their mobility, curiosity, and manifestation of activity. Properly raised puppies will not be shy for a long time in front of a new person for them. If the dog behaves sluggishly, timidly, sleeps for a long time, not paying attention to guests, the skin does not look smooth and healthy, it is better to refuse the purchase. If all the puppies seem charming and it is impossible to choose one, you can ask the breeder about the character of the babies. Already at this age, the makings of an adult dog"s temperament are visible, and a person who knows each puppy from the moment it is born will definitely tell you about the characteristics of each.

Dog lovers can find great joy in the lively and unusual American Hairless Terrier breed. This breed is wonderful for both individuals and families because of its loving disposition and lively personality. They are great companions because they love interacting with people and are constantly willing to join in on the fun or cuddle up on the couch.

Naturally, the American Hairless Terrier’s lack of fur is one of its most distinctive characteristics. Because of this, they are an excellent choice for allergy sufferers as they generate less dander. Their skin does, however, need special attention, such as frequent moisturizing and sun protection. A loving pet is worth the small price of maintaining healthy skin.

This breed can be a rewarding one to train. They pick things up quickly because they are bright and eager to please. Early socialization and consistent training will help them develop into well-mannered adults. They also love playtime and engaging activities because of their high energy levels.

In search of a lively and vivacious friend with lots of personality, the American Hairless Terrier may be the ideal choice. Their endearing eccentricities and limitless energy can infuse your home with joy. Just be ready to navigate life with this delightful breed full of love and laughter!

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