The American Hairless Terrier: A Curious Watchdog and Goofy Family Companion

What Does the American Hairless Terrier Look Like?

The American Hairless Terrier is a small breed of dog, typically weighing between 10 and 16 pounds and standing 12 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder. They have a muscular build and their skin is smooth and soft to the touch. Their ears are pointy, and they have a long, whip-like tail.

What Is Their Coat Like?

Their hairless coat can come in just about any color, including black, blue, brown, cream, gray, pink, red, white, and yellow. They can have tan or brindle points, white markings, and even piebald patches. So, even without hair, these dogs have a lot of personality in their appearance!

What Is the American Hairless Terrier’s Temperament Like?

The American Hairless Terrier is an active, inquisitive and playful breed. They love to explore and can be quite mischievous. They’re also very curious and will often want to know what’s going on around them.

While they’re not the yappy type of terrier, they will bark to alert their owners of potential danger. They make great watchdogs and will protect their family if they feel threatened.

How Sociable Are American Hairless Terriers?

These dogs are known for being affectionate and loving with their family. They love to cuddle and will often follow their owners around the house. They’re also good with children and get along well with other pets.

How Much Exercise Do They Require?

Despite their small size, American Hairless Terriers need a good amount of exercise. They’re an active breed and enjoy going on walks, playing fetch, and exploring. A daily walk or play session is necessary to keep them happy and healthy.

Are They Well-Behaved?

The American Hairless Terrier is a relatively easy breed to train. They’re intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, they can be stubborn at times and may need some extra patience when it comes to training.

Basic obedience training is a good way to start, as it will help them learn how to behave around other people and animals.

The Health Concerns and Lifespan of the American Hairless Terrier

The American Hairless Terrier is a relatively healthy breed with few health concerns. They have an average lifespan of 13 to 16 years, and they remain playful and curious well into their teens. Still, you should be aware of these conditions they may be prone to:

• patellar luxation – a dislocation of the kneecap,
• deafness – caused by a lack of pigment in the inner ear,
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease – a puppyhood condition where the ball of the hip joint has its blood supply cut off and starts to die,
• hypothyroidism – a condition where the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones,
• Cushing’s disease – a condition where the body produces too much cortisol.

While these conditions are not common, it’s important to be aware of them and to have your American Hairless Terrier checked by a vet regularly. To minimize the risks, get a well-bred puppy from a source that is transparent about their dogs’ health background.

Grooming and Caring for an American Hairless Terrier

The American Hairless Terrier is a relatively low-maintenance breed. They don’t require much in the way of grooming, but their skin is sensitive and can be prone to dryness and irritation.

To care for their skin, use a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo and avoid using harsh chemicals. You should also apply a sunscreen to their skin before taking them outside, as they’re susceptible to sunburns.

Besides, their nails should be clipped monthly (or more often if necessary) to avoid overgrowth and painful breaks. American Hairless Terriers are also susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease, so it’s important to brush their teeth daily and take them for regular dental checkups.

Breeders and Pricing of American Hairless Terrier Puppies

If you’re interested in getting an American Hairless Terrier, be prepared to pay between $1,500 and $2,500 for a purebred puppy. The price will depend on the source, the dog’s parentage, and whether they are show-quality or not.

When looking for a reputable breeder, make sure to do your research. A good breeder will be transparent about the health and temperament of their dogs, and they will be more interested in placing their puppies in good homes than making a profit.

Rescuing an American Hairless Terrier

If you’re not interested in paying for a purebred dog, you can always adopt! You may be able to find an American Hairless Terrier in need of a home through online listings, or in one of your local shelters if you’re lucky.

Keep in mind that dogs in rescue organizations may have been saved from very poor conditions and might have underlying health problems. However, a good shelter will provide you with all the information they have about the dog’s background and diagnoses.

A Brief History of the American Hairless Terrier Dog Breed

The American Hairless Terrier (AHT) is a relatively new breed, only having been around since 1972. The breed was created by accident when a hairless puppy was born to a litter of Rat Terriers in Trout, Louisiana.

Edwin and Willie Scott got the puppy and named her Josephine. They started breeding her and over time produced more hairless puppies. In 1983, they were able to breed two hairless Rat Terriers together and create the American Hairless Terrier.

To ensure a healthy gene pool, the Scotts decided to backcross some of these dogs with regular Rat Terriers. That’s how Coated American Hairless Terrier came to be – though not hairless themselves, this variety is also able to produce hairless puppies.

Recognition by Major Kennel Clubs

The Rat Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1999, and the AHT was listed as a subtype of that breed. The Scotts then formed the American Hairless Terrier association and worked towards its recognition as a separate breed. It happened in 2004, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted the breed too in 2016.

Is This Dog Breed Right for You?

If you’re looking for a small dog who enjoys snuggling, being a goof, and alerting you to potential dangers, the American Hairless Terrier might be for you. They are active little dogs who need plenty of exercise and love to play fetch, go on walks, or run around in the yard.

While they’re generally good with children and other pets, their high energy levels might be too much for very young kids or senior citizens. If you live an active lifestyle and are looking for a furry companion to join you on your adventures, the American Hairless Terrier could be a good match!

Can They Live in an Apartment?

Yes, American Hairless Terriers can live in an apartment as long as they get enough exercise. They’re not a particularly active breed indoors, so they don’t need a lot of space to run around. Schedule a daily walk or play session, and your dog will be content living in a smaller space.

Fun Facts about American Hairless Terriers

If their history wasn’t enough to satisfy your curiosity, here are a few more facts about these hairless dogs you might find interesting.

• The second hairless Rat Terrier in existence – daughter of Josephine, who was the mother of the breed – was named Gypsy.
• They can be born with a naturally short or long tail, which is never docked according to AKC’s standard.
• The coated variety of the breed needs to have a short and dense coat that comes in white, bi-color, tri-color, brindle or sable.
• No matter their other colors, the American Hairless Terrier will always have some white in their coat.

Have You Decided to Buy an American Hairless Terrier?

Now that you know everything there is to this unique breed of dog, you can decide whether the American Hairless Terrier is right for you. They make great companion dogs for active people and families with older children. If you think you can provide a loving home for one of these pups, contact a breeder or rescue organization today!

Do you have any experience with the breed? Share your stories in the comment section below!

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