The American Hairless Terrier is a small dog that is a direct descendant of the Rat Terrier. With a typical terrier personality, this mischief-maker will keep you on your toes and leave you chuckling at their antics. Their boundless energy makes them ideal companions for families with children.
History of The American Hairless Terrier
A rare mutation in a litter of Rat Terrier puppies born in 1972 started the American Hairless Terrier. This particular Rat Terrier breeding produced a puppy that was completely hairless. The female puppy was healthy with pink skin and a few black spots. She was given to Edwin and Willie Scott, who named her Josephine. Josephine was the first hairless Rat Terrier ever recorded.
While Josephine was bred several times, she did not produce another hairless puppy until she was nine years old. She produced two hairless puppies, one female and one male. These two hairless puppies were then used to create a line of hairless Rat Terriers that would eventually be recognized as American Hairless Terriers.
They do not have a long hair version like so many of the other hairless breeds, but there can be short-coated American Hairless Terriers similar to the coat of a Rat Terrier. They are considered hypoallergenic, although the short-hair variety might cause an allergic reaction in those severely allergic to pet dander. The American Hairless Terrier was officially accepted into the American Kennel Club in 2016.
What Does The American Hairless Terrier Look Like?
This inquisitive terrier is lively and well-muscled. The American Hairless Terrier looks similar to the Rat Terrier in that it has erect ears and an alert expression. They are hairless, but, there is a coated variety with short, dense hair that has a high sheen. You should never remove their whiskers.
The hairless variety does have soft hair at birth and covers its entire body. That soft hair does go away by the time the puppy is eight to ten weeks of age and they are completely hairless, except for their eyebrows and whiskers. Some hairless AHTs do have very fine hairs on their body when they mature. All colors are acceptable, except albino or merle.
Maintenance of The American Hairless Terrier
You would think a hairless dog would not require much maintenance; however, the American Hairless Terrier does require special care for his skin. Sunscreen must be used when they are outdoors to prevent sunburn.
During the cold months, they must be kept warm and protected from frostbite. Most American Hairless Terrier owners have a closet full of coats, pajamas, and sweaters for their dog. When the weather dips below 50 degrees, a light sweater may be needed for their comfort. Bathing at least once a week is advised but they can be bathed up to three times a week. Always use a mild shampoo and apply lotion that does not contain lanolin when dry skin is present.
The coated variety of the American Hairless Terrier does shed slightly and needs to be brushed at least once a week using a natural bristle brush. This type does not need to be bathed as often as the hairless variety, but two to three times per month is recommended. Always use a mild shampoo.
Trim their nails and clean their ears weekly. Start a routine dental plan including regular brushing to ensure their teeth and gums stay healthy. Dental chews will help keep tartar from building up. Professional cleanings will need to be done once a year.
Temperament of The American Hairless Terrier
Do not let the lack of hair trick you into thinking the American Hairless Terrier is fragile, this dog is a tenacious terrier full of energy and mischief. They make excellent companions, especially families with children.
Expect to spend a lot of time exercising your terrier, they are very smart and do require physical and mental exercise. Playing games such as fetch and having plenty of toys and interactive games available will keep boredom at bay.
The American Hairless Terrier needs a strong leader to keep them from becoming overbearing and territorial. Obedience training is a good idea when you have this type of breed. They are not good swimmers, so make sure you are careful when around pools and other bodies of water.
Being one of the few breeds that actually sweat, you will know when the American Hairless Terrier becomes too hot. They also sweat when they are scared. Even though they descend from the Rat Terrier, it is not recommended that the American Hairless Terrier work as a ratter since they do not have hair to protect them from a rat’s teeth or claws or the elements.
This fun-loving, energetic, whirlwind of a terrier is a good choice when looking for a loyal breed that is excellent with children. The American Hairless Terrier may not be well-known, but those who have them absolutely love these small dogs. Look for a reputable breeder when you begin your search for this unique breed!
