American Hairless Terrier
The AHT will do OK in an apartment so long as they get at least 20-30 minutes of exercise a day. They are fairly active indoors and should have at least a small to medium sized yard. AHTs love to dig. Since they have sweat glands they do not drool at the mouth or pant in order to balance their body heat. They should wear a sweater in cold weather. Hypoallergenic: YesThese dogs do not have absent premolars or any of the breeding complications associated with the hairless breeds. The AHT does not have the major skin problems commonly seen in hairless dogs. Sometimes they will get a rash on their skin. Because of their lack of hair, they do need protection from the sun. Sunscreen should be applied or a shirt should be worn, not only for the protection from the sun but from the cold as well. AHTs do have sweat glands and will get pimples! They go away on their own. Rashes due to grass allergies are not that uncommon. Other allergies do occur as well. The American Hairless Terrier is a smoothly muscled, active, smallest to small terrier. The preferred ratio of length of body (prosternum to point of buttocks) to height (withers to ground) to is 10:9. The head is broad, slightly domed, wedge-shaped, and proportionate to the size of the body. Ears are V-shaped, set at the outside edges of the skull, and may be erect, tipped or button. Both varieties may have a natural tail carried in an upward curve, or the tail may be docked in dogs of the coated variety. The American Hairless Terrier comes in a number of skin colors and patterns (hairless variety) and coat colors and patterns (coated variety). The American Hairless Terrier is an energetic, alert dog whose curiosity and intelligence make him easy to train. The ancestors of this breed were bred to hunt. The lack of coat makes the hairless variety unsuited for hunting, but both varieties still have a strong hunting instinct and the coated dogs are fearless, tenacious hunters with seemingly unlimited energy. The American Hairless Terrier is an exceptionally friendly companion, getting along well with children, other dogs, and even cats. American Hairless Terriers enjoy human companionship immensely and will enthusiastically share any activity with their owners. The hairless dogs require protection from the sun and winter cold weather. American Hairless Terriers should not be sparred during conformation judging. The American Hairless Terrier's American ancestry begins with the mixed breed terriers called Feists brought from Europe to North America as early as the 18th century. In the late 1800s the Rat Terrier breed was developed from the Feist by the addition of Beagle, Italian Greyhound and Miniature Pinscher bloodlines. The distinct American Hairless Terrier breed began in 1972 when one hairless puppy named Josephine appeared in a Rat Terrier litter in the state of Louisiana, United States. Owners Edwin and Willie Scott liked the dog's look and temperament, and upon maturity bred her hoping to reproduce the hairless quality. They were eventually successful; a litter produced in 1981 provided the foundation stock of the breed. In January 2016 the American Hairless Terrier was recognized fully by the AKC in the terrier group.
| Life span: | 14-16 years |
| Name: | American Hairless Terrier |
| Size: | Smallest |
| 09: | Sam |
| 07: | Oliver |
| Adaptability: | 3 stars |
| Colors: | Black Speckled Spotted White |
| 02: | Tucker |
| 06: | Bailey |
| 08: | Sammy |
| Barking Tendencies: | 2 stars Occassional |
| Cat Friendly: | 3 stars |
| Dog Friendly: | 3 stars |
| 05: | Henry |
| Child Friendly: | 4 stars Good with Kids: This is a suitable breed for kids and is known to be playful, energetic, and affectionate around them. |
| Height: | 7-16 inches (18-41 cm) |
| Origin: | United States |
| Other names: | AHT |
| Temperament: | Alert Lively Loving Intelligent Inquisitive Playful |
| 01: | Buddy |
| Rank: | Boy Names |
| Type: | Purebred |
| Watchdog Ability: | 3 stars |
| Exercise Needs: | 2 stars The breed enjoys challenging games and outdoor romps. They need to be taken on a long daily walk. |
| Breed Group: | Terrier (AKC & UKC) |
| Grooming: | 4 stars High Maintenance: Grooming should be performed often to keep the dog's coat in good shape. No trimming or stripping needed. |
| Health Issues: | 3 stars More + Less - Hypoallergenic: YesThese dogs do not have absent premolars or any of the breeding complications associated with the hairless breeds. The AHT does not have the major skin problems commonly seen in hairless dogs. Sometimes they will get a rash on their skin. Because of their lack of hair, they do need protection from the sun. Sunscreen should be applied or a shirt should be worn, not only for the protection from the sun but from the cold as well. AHTs do have sweat glands and will get pimples! They go away on their own. Rashes due to grass allergies are not that uncommon. Other allergies do occur as well. |
| Shedding Level: | 1 stars |
| Weight: | 5-16 pounds (2.5-7 kg) |
| 03: | Cooper |
| 10: | Louie |
| Apartment Friendly: | 4 stars More + Less - The AHT will do OK in an apartment so long as they get at least 20-30 minutes of exercise a day. They are fairly active indoors and should have at least a small to medium sized yard. AHTs love to dig. Since they have sweat glands they do not drool at the mouth or pant in order to balance their body heat. They should wear a sweater in cold weather. |
| Litter Size: | 3-5 puppies |
| Playfulness: | 4 stars |
| Popularity: | 2022: #120 2021: #135 2020: #129 2019: #124 2018: #136 2017: #126 2016: #106 2015: N/A |
| Stranger Friendly: | 3 stars |
| Trainability: | 4 stars Easy Training: The American Hairless Terrier breed is curious, intelligent and fairly easy to train. Like many small breeds, they can become destructive in the home if proper dominance is not established. The American Hairless Terrier requires a consistent and firm pack leader. |
| 04: | Riley |
| Puppy Prices: | Average $2000 - $4000 USD The price a breeder places on their puppies will all depend on the stats of the dam and sire and how much the breeder has put into raising the puppies. An American Hairless Terrier is likely to cost between $2,000 and $4,000. |
| Intelligence: | 3 stars Ranking: # Full Ranking List |