The American Hairless Terrier has been growing in popularity since its introduction in the 70s. Energetic, bright and cheerful, their lack of fur means caution must be taken in extreme weather conditions.
Breed overview
GROUP : Terriers
HEIGHT : from 30 to 40 cm
WEIGHT : from 6 to 8 kg
COAT : Completely hairless except for whiskers and guard hairs on the eyebrows and muzzle; the coated variety has a soft, short and dense coat
COAT COLOR : Any color combination; even the hairless variety will have hard or patterned skin pigmentation, which can vary greatly
How long do they live : from 14 to 16 years
Brief description of the breed
What is the actual country of origin?
USA
What is the country of origin according to the FCI?
—
When did the breed appear?
1972
How long does he live?
from 14 to 16 years old
How much does a male dog weigh?
from 5.5 to 7.3 kg
How much does the bitch weigh?
from 5.5 to 7.3 kg
What is the height (height at withers) of a male dog?
from 30.5 to 40.6 cm
What is the height (height at withers) of the bitch?
from 30.5 to 40.6 cm
How much does a puppy with documents cost?
from 20 to 40 thousand rubles
What is the price of a puppy without documents?
from 5 to 20 thousand rubles
The American Hairless Terrier is one of the most “comfortable” dogs in the world. This is a loyal, intelligent, quick-witted dog that does not require special living conditions or complex care. This terrier, like many other types of terriers, has excellent hunting qualities, an athletic build, and leads an active lifestyle. The American Hairless Terrier can become a true friend and companion.
How to choose a puppy
- Find out which lines the breeder specializes in breeding. Some dog breeders prefer to work with mini terriers up to 25 cm in height, and some prefer to work with normal-sized dogs.
- Assess the uniformity of the litter. If American Hairless Terrier puppies vary too much in size, this indicates that not the best sires were involved in the mating.
- Pay attention to the pedigrees of the breeding bitches and dogs. Keep in mind that outcrossing still occurs in the breed (crossing AGTs with Rat Terriers).
- Find out when the American Hairless Terrier female had her previous litter. It is extremely undesirable to take puppies from a dog that gives birth once a year or more often.
- Try to identify the individual character traits of an American Hairless Terrier puppy using the Campbell test.
- Do not take puppies if their parents are closely related - this increases the chances of the offspring having genetic abnormalities.
- American Hairless Terrier “girls” are more intelligent, friendlier and more loyal than males. The main advantages of “boys” are determination, textured appearance, and endurance.
- Don’t forget that age-related changes in appearance for AGT puppies are a common occurrence. Remember that drooping ears and slight body hair in the hairless variety of the breed are temporary and will disappear as the animal matures.
Video
* We invite you to watch a video about the American Hairless Terrier . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given dog breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what an American Hairless Terrier looks like.
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Features of behavior and temperament
The dog is very energetic and agile, and is also characterized by increased curiosity. Intellectually well developed, very friendly towards people, especially children. Despite its modest size, it is not a cowardly creature, but it is not particularly aggressive either.
Some owners note the remnants of the hunting instinct as a bad trait: during walks, the dog may begin to dig holes or chase rodents and felines that come into view.
- They get along well with pets, even cats, provided that they are also family members.
- Children simply adore them: with such a restless character and the ability of the animal to fall into childhood itself, it is not difficult to destroy the apartment, but you can blame everything on your four-legged friend - nothing will happen to him anyway.
- It is for this reason that older people should not get an American Hairless Terrier dog.
History of the origin of the American Hairless Terrier
The ancestors of modern American Hairless Terriers are rat-catchers and rat terriers. These dogs first appeared in Britain, where they were used exclusively for working purposes. Terriers made it possible to quickly and effectively get rid of foxes, rats and other small rodents on farms. The ancestors of American Terriers were valued for their working qualities. At that time no attention was paid to the appearance of these animals.
The ancestors of the hairless terrier were brought to America during the process of settling the “New Land”. Terriers appeared there in the eighteenth century. They began to quickly gain popularity. The reason for the great demand for such dogs was again their working qualities. Terriers were excellent at catching and destroying rodents that caused enormous damage to farms and agricultural lands.
Beginning in 1930, the Rat Terrier breed experienced a sharp decline in numbers. The period of the Industrial Revolution led to a decrease in the number of these dogs. Then the farmlands were empty and people no longer needed the services of such a dog. However, some people continued to keep rat terriers, because they were able to discern in them not only excellent working qualities, but also friendliness and a sharp mind.
So, one pair of rat terriers had puppies without hair. This occurred as a result of a genetic mutation. The Scott family especially liked these babies, and they decided to start breeding them. This is how the modern breed appeared: the American Hairless Terrier. In 1990, these dogs were recognized by the Rare Breed organization, but the FCI has still not been able to achieve official recognition of the breed.
American Hairless Terrier - description of the breed
The American Hairless Terrier has a striking appearance:
- developed muscles,
- proportional, athletic build,
- saber tail,
- strong snow-white teeth,
- bare skin.
This pet has small dimensions. The dog grows to a maximum of forty-five centimeters, and its weight rarely exceeds twelve kilograms. This makes the dog very versatile, because it can live both in a spacious private house and in an apartment. Despite its modest dimensions, the animal looks respectable, because it has well-developed muscles and an athletic body shape.
All parts of the American Terrier's body are folded proportionally. The head is medium in size and wedge-shaped. The muzzle is wide, and the neck is quite long and strong. A true Hairless Terrier should have erect ears and protruding eyes. The eyes should be dark in color. The look of such a dog is confident, curious and insightful. The nose may be black or brown.
A special feature of the breed is its beautiful snow-white teeth. The teeth are distributed harmoniously and evenly. The bite can be either straight or scissor. This animal has a “dead” grip. Once in the mouth of a terrier, the prey is unlikely to be able to gain freedom. This allows the dog to still be an excellent rat catcher. The animal's chest is deep, its limbs are strong and muscular.
The paws are small but powerful. These dogs are very agile, which gives their body an athletic shape. They can maintain it until old age. A dog's tail, tapered to the tip. If the animal is tense, the tail takes on a saber shape. At rest it is always pubescent below the level of the back. Dogs of this breed almost always have no hair. The skin is smooth and quite sensitive.
Popular colors of American Hairless Terriers
Today, the gene pool of American Hairless Terriers is gradually expanding by crossing these dogs with dogs of other lines. Therefore, not all American Terriers are completely hairless. Some puppies have fur, but it is very short and dense. If the coat is long or very hard to the touch, then this is considered a defect in the breed. This sign will disqualify the puppy from any show or competition.
Other terriers of this species do not have hair as adults, although up to eight weeks they do have hair, albeit sparsely. Up to two months, the fur is gradually lost. American Terriers have very smooth and soft skin. Always warm to the touch. When frightened, the animal may become completely covered in sweat. American Hairless Terriers come in a wide variety of colors. However, not all of them are in demand.
Preferable are dogs that have one skin color, but have spots of a different color all over the body. The main color of the skin can be any, as well as the size of the spots on the body. This is allowed by the standard. The standard only does not allow albinism, both for the hairless terrier and for the variety with fur. However, you need to know that the terrier's skin color will darken significantly with age. This is due to the dog's exposure to the sun.
Brown, black, and chocolate colors are popular. In second place are shades of apricot and lemon. Terriers with white coats and contrasting heels are also often purchased. Blue skin color is considered unusual. These puppies are also quite popular. However, a very light shade of blue in the color is already a disadvantage of the dog. Blue should be rich and dark.
Health Features
It is worth understanding that the breed was bred recently, so the viral and genetic diseases dangerous to it have not yet been properly studied. However, there has been a tendency to develop hepatitis and enteritis, and animals are often susceptible to colds.
- With proper care and a balanced diet, the life expectancy of a Hairless Terrier is an average of thirteen years.
- Individuals may also have some flaws, for which points are deducted at exhibitions.
- The most common defects are club feet, height above the required standard and color flaws.
- Judges can also reduce marks for anger and insecure behavior, complete or partial deafness and a short tail.
A complete list of possible deviations from the American Hairless Terrier standard can be found on Internet sites dedicated to dog breeding or in the relevant literature. There are also numerous photos of the American Hairless Terrier.
Character and habits of American Hairless Terriers
American Hairless Terriers are similar in character and habits to other terriers. The only difference is the moderate energy level. The American Terrier is calmer, less lively. But this cannot be called a disadvantage of the breed, because other terriers sometimes exhaust their owners too much. The Hairless Terrier is an obedient, sweet and sociable pet.
This type of terrier is very attached to its family. The puppy will treat every part of it with love and respect. This dog can be friends with people of different ages, especially children. Hairless terriers adore children. They can play with them for hours and are always ready to protect the kids. The American Hairless Terrier should grow up in a family. These dogs cannot stand loneliness, so the owner must have free time.
A feature of the hairless terrier breed is tolerance. These dogs are very kind and patient. They can even tolerate rudeness from children. Terriers are also tolerant of strangers. They will never show aggression without reason. These dogs are friendly and will always try to make friends with strangers or other animals. Their guards are bad, because there is not a drop of aggression in them.
An American Hairless Terrier, with proper training, can live under the same roof with a cat or dog of another breed without problems or conflicts. However, he will not tolerate rodents in his house. This dog should not be left alone with pet hamsters or rats. Hairless terriers have a high level of intelligence. They are sociable and smart. Some representatives of the breed are characterized by stubbornness.
Interesting facts about American Hairless Terriers
- American Hairless Terriers require special attention from the owner in the winter and summer periods of the year. In winter, these animals freeze. They are very sensitive to low temperatures, because hairless terriers have neither a fur coat nor an undercoat. They need warm clothes. In summer, when it is very hot, dogs also suffer. Their skin is sensitive to solar radiation. If your pet stays in the sun for a long time, it can get burned.
- Hairless terriers not only get sunburned, but also develop a tan. Due to the constant exposure of the dog to the sun, the skin begins to darken. Therefore, you need to understand that the puppy’s color will not be the same as at birth all the time. And to prevent the American Hairless Terrier from getting burns, its body must be periodically lubricated with cream. A veterinarian will help you choose the best cosmetics for your pet.
- Few people know that even hairless American terriers have short hair up to a certain age. Until two months their skin is bare. The fur begins to disappear from the age of two weeks. The puppy gradually sheds its hair, and its skin becomes smooth and velvety. At this time, the color of the puppy may also change. For this reason, it is better to buy a dog older than two months.
- Allergy to dog hair is a fairly common disease among people of all ages. This disease deprives a person of the opportunity to find a true friend in the form of a dog. However, the American Hairless Terrier is an exception and this dog is absolutely safe for people with allergies to wool. The hairless terrier has no coat or undercoat. He doesn't shed.
Pros and cons of American Hairless Terriers
The American Hairless Terrier is a very easy-to-keep pet and this is its main advantage. This is a small dog, so even in a modest one-room apartment it will feel quite comfortable. Of course, subject to daily walks in the fresh air. The Hairless Terrier does not shed, so it does not create clutter in the house. The pet's fur will not lie on furniture or carpets.
The absence of wool is a definite plus for people with allergies. Such a dog can live peacefully in a family where there are people intolerant to dog hair. The advantage of the breed is their good disposition. These dogs are friendly to others and are almost always in a good mood. They are lively, cheerful, but in moderation. You won't be bored with such a pet. He will create a great mood with just his cute appearance.
The advantage of representatives of this breed is their activity. The dog will be able to accompany its owner everywhere: on a bike ride, on a trip to the mountains, during regular walks in the parks. The pet will always follow the owner. The American Terrier has few disadvantages. The main disadvantage of the dog is the lack of protective qualities. These animals lack aggression and physical strength to protect property.
The disadvantage of the breed is the difficulty of skin care. This is due to the fact that dogs do not have hair. Due to the lack of fur, the animal’s skin takes the entire “blow.” In summer it begins to darken under the influence of the sun. Burns often appear on the skin. The terrier's skin needs to be constantly moisturized and protected with creams. In winter, the hairless terrier is very susceptible to cold. These dogs need special clothing.
Breeding American Hairless Terriers
The American Hairless Terrier cannot be called a very popular breed in Russia. However, every year the number of these dogs in our state is growing, because more and more people are considering their positive qualities: ease of maintenance, lack of hair, small size, loyalty and sharp mind. That is why breeding the American Terrier is a pressing issue.
Hairless terriers are bred both among themselves and with some other types of terriers. In order for the mating result to be predictable, it is necessary to breed two hairless terriers. When choosing a mate for a female, you need to take into account a number of criteria. The male must be completely healthy. Any dog’s shortcomings or genetic ailments can be passed on to offspring. The Hairless Terrier must fully meet the standard.
It’s great if the male is a descendant of famous parents. This fact will allow you to set a higher price for puppies. The bitch also needs to be checked by a veterinarian before mating. The female must be ready for childbirth and pregnancy. You shouldn't breed your dog too early. There must be at least two heats. Before the meeting, dogs need to take blood and urine tests. This will ensure that there are no ongoing problems.
It is better to breed American Hairless Terriers indoors, in the dog's territory. There the manufacturer will feel calm, which will have a positive effect on the mating result. There should not be many people in the room. One of the owners is enough. Knitting must be done twice. The second meeting is scheduled no earlier than forty-eight hours after the first. Once pregnant, the bitch will need high-calorie nutrition and vitamins.
Caring for American Hairless Terriers
The American Hairless Terrier is a small child. Not in the sense that he will need round-the-clock care, but in the fact that this dog requires affection, care and love from its owners. These are very domestic, loyal pets. They need long walks in the fresh air, intense training and attention from their owner. These simple and straightforward things keep your dog happy and healthy.
However, hairless terriers also need classic hygienic care for:
- skin,
- ears,
- eyes,
- teeth.
The main disadvantage of this dog breed is its hypersensitive skin. It is she who will require a lot of time and attention from people. The skin of this animal in the summer needs to be frequently lubricated with a protective cream, in the winter it needs to be moisturized and protected with dog clothing. American Terriers can become seriously ill and even die due to hypothermia, so you cannot skimp on winter clothing.
Despite the lack of hair, the Hairless Terrier will need bathing. You need to bathe your dog once every two weeks. Paws should be washed daily, after every walk. When bathing, use a gentle cleanser designed specifically for smooth-haired dogs. Bathing should be taught from puppyhood to avoid stress in the sensitive American Terrier.
The animal's ears and eyes should be cleaned with a special lotion once a week or as they become dirty. This will protect the dog from various infections and diseases. You can buy lotion to cleanse these areas at any veterinary pharmacy. A terrier's teeth should be brushed once a week. You should also add solid food to your pet’s daily diet. This will reduce the likelihood of tartar formation.
Diet features
Hairless terriers are not picky when it comes to food; you can feed them both natural products and dry food intended for decorative breeds, but you should not combine or alternate options.
- When eating natural products, the dog's diet should include boiled beef, rabbit meat and lamb, chicken eggs once a week, but chicken can be given in very small quantities.
- Dairy products, raw apples and carrots are allowed, which dogs happily consume. Rice and buckwheat, as well as fish oil, are considered necessary products.
Diet of American Hairless Terriers
After purchasing a puppy, every person faces the question: what is the best way to feed an American Hairless Terrier? There are three possible feeding methods: natural food, ready-made dog food (dry food), mixed type. Each person should decide which method to choose individually, after consulting with a veterinarian and the breeder from whom the puppy was purchased.
If the first method of feeding was chosen, then you need to competently create a pet menu. The Hairless Terrier's daily diet should largely consist of meat products. You can give your dog lamb, chicken, and some beef. You can supplement the meat with cereals cooked in meat or vegetable broth. Eggs can also be given to a terrier, but only twice a week.
For proper growth and development of the skeleton and muscles, the animal needs dairy products. You can give low-fat cottage cheese, sour cream, fermented baked milk. When choosing to eat natural foods, you should not forget about vitamin supplements. They are required! If you prefer dry food, then vitamin supplements are not needed. These foods contain everything you need. Along with dry food, your pet should be given plenty of water.
Dry food for feeding the American Hairless Terrier must be of high quality. Only premium class products are suitable. Cheaper food can lead to various diseases in your pet. Mixed feeding also takes place. However, such a diet must be correctly calculated and composed. A veterinarian can help with this. When mixed feeding, vitamin supplements may also be required.
Maintenance and care
The American Hairless Terrier is a decorative companion breed whose place is in an apartment or in a house, next to its owner. Conditions for keeping hairless pets are standard. The animal will need its own bed in a quiet corner, protected from drafts and away from heating devices, bowls for water and drinking, as well as a supply of toys. The terrier is supposed to be taken out for walks twice a day, and the duration of each outing should be at least an hour.
Remember to protect your pet's sensitive skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation and cold. A terrier walking in the sun easily gets sunburned, so before summer walks it is better to lubricate the dog’s body with sunscreen or put an old cotton T-shirt over it. In autumn bad weather and frosty days, the ward needs to be dressed in warm, waterproof clothes so that he does not catch a cold. You can supplement your equipment with special boots - in cold weather, unprotected paw skin is easily injured by ice and crusty crust.
Important: some representatives of the breed are allergic to natural wool, so do not try to dress the American Hairless Terrier in blankets and overalls made of this material.
You shouldn’t go to the other extreme and turn your four-legged companion into a pampered creature, trembling at the slightest breath of wind. Remember, when walking, the dog should warm up by moving. There is also no need to shake over every scratch that appears on the sides of the American Hairless Terrier. Such injuries heal quickly, although they may leave barely noticeable stripes and scars on the body.
Hygiene
Despite the presence of the word “hairless” in the name of the breed, “Americans” are not completely hairless – the dogs’ bodies are covered with microscopic hairs up to 1 mm long. It is thanks to them that AGTs are called velvet pets, because when they come into contact with the owner’s palm, the hairs create that very velor effect that fans of the breed love to talk about.
The skin of American Hairless Terriers is protected by a layer of fatty lubricant and has an increased ability to regenerate. In this regard, you can bathe your pet more often than representatives of other breeds, and without any harm to health. The main thing is to choose the right gentle shampoo, with which you can have bath days even every day. Frequent bathing is especially important if the owner of the terrier is allergic to dog dander. By washing away dead skin flakes with water, you temporarily neutralize allergens, which cannot be done with a pet that has a full coat.
American Hairless Terriers sweat from time to time. This is a normal reaction of the body to stress, but neat owners prefer not to ignore this phenomenon and wipe their pets’ bodies with clean, dry cloths. If you notice that the AHT's skin is dry, it can be moisturized with creams specially designed for hairless breeds. In the absence of professional cosmetics, you can get by with “human” products – moisturizing oils, aloe vera gel.
But stocking up on flea remedies is not necessary in the case of AHT, for the simple reason that blood-sucking parasites do not linger on hairless skin. The exception to the rule is ticks, so after each walk, inspect the dog’s body for the presence of harmful “passengers.”
The ears of American Hairless Terriers are cleaned as they become dirty, but the ear funnel should be checked at least once a week. For hygiene of the inside of the ear, lotions such as “Veda” and “Pchelodar” are suitable. Pharmacy products can also be used to cleanse the mucous membrane of the eyelid - ophthalmic drops Doctor Vic, Iv San Bernard and others.
You can clean your dog’s teeth from food plaque with a children’s toothbrush or a soft silicone finger tip, sold at any pet store. It is important to buy a special paste - the “human” options are not suitable. If the animal categorically refuses to accept mechanical cleaning of teeth and gums, it is allowed to use disinfectant gels, which are quite easy to apply. An alternative is to use liquid toothpaste, which is added to drinking water.
Feeding
The American Hairless Terrier can be accustomed to both a natural diet and industrial food. The only caveat is food allergies inherent in the breed. When choosing a new “dryer”, take precautions and try not to feed your pet chicken. Otherwise, the naked ones do not require a special diet. They willingly eat any foods allowed for dogs: lean meat, offal, sea fish (preferably red and only in fillet form), as well as low-fat fermented milk. Buckwheat and rice cereals, from which you can cook porridge in meat and bone broth, will help make your diet more filling. Almost all vegetables, fruits and greens are allowed. Exceptions are grapes, exotic fruits, legumes, potatoes, onions and garlic. Excellent dietary supplements are fish oil, chicken and quail eggs, kelp, flaxseed, and any other unrefined vegetable oil.
It is better to coordinate the purchase of vitamin-mineral complexes with a veterinarian: a specialist will examine the animal and tell you what microelements are missing in the terrier’s body. Owners whose charges are fed dry food can save money on dietary supplements, since the professional feed includes all the additives the animal needs.
Diseases and health problems
The American Hairless Terrier breed was developed relatively recently. It belongs to the group of young breeds. For this reason, there is no accurate information yet on the susceptibility of hairless terriers to certain diseases. At the moment it is known for sure that there are no anomalies or defects in the development of this breed. Severe genetic diseases are practically not diagnosed in puppies.
In this regard, American Hairless Terriers can be bred without the fear of producing sick offspring. Puppies of this breed are distinguished by strong immunity and high vitality. From birth they are active and have an excellent appetite. Hairless terriers rarely get sick from colds if the owner protects the pet from cold and drafts. Representatives of the breed are more prone to:
- Enteritis.
- Gastritis.
- Adenovirus.
To prevent your dog from getting sick with the above ailments, he must have a properly selected diet. It is also important to provide your pet with a daily routine and the optimal amount of physical activity. The owner must be constantly alert. It is important not to miss the first symptoms of diseases, because at the initial stage they are all successfully cured and do not cause much discomfort to the pet.
American Hairless Terriers are also prone to allergies to various factors. The disease can be triggered by medicine, food or even skin care products. Allergy cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be completely eliminated. To do this, you need to eliminate the provoking factor from the puppy’s life. Sunburn is another ailment common to the breed. Hairless terriers should not be in the sun without protection.
Education and training
The basic skills that a puppy who moves to a new home must master are using the toilet, the habit of walking on a leash and responding to his own name, as well as the willingness to follow a sleeping and feeding schedule. All of these skills are a preliminary step towards training an American Hairless Terrier. Before you start working with your baby “like an adult,” it is advisable to formulate the concept of discipline in him, otherwise the dog will simply refuse to obey your demands. Be sure to teach your puppy the “Place!” command, which will help the animal understand that it has its own corner in the house. In the case of AGT, the traditional method works better: the owner pronounces a command, placing the terrier on a mattress after eating and gently holding the pet in this position.
It is important to understand that the American Hairless Terrier is a sensitive pet and is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli, so it is more advisable to conduct lessons in a playful way, unobtrusively leading the animal to follow commands. One of the first to be introduced is the order “Ugh!” In fact, it is allowed to practice it already on the first walk with three-month-old puppies. With learning the command “Come to me!” You shouldn’t delay it either, otherwise managing your pet outside your home will be problematic. For a nimble and curious AGT baby, approaching the owner’s request is one of the most difficult skills, so calmly accept the fact that at first the “naked one” will pretend that he did not hear the call. You should also not run as fast as you can after your retreating pet. The dog will regard this behavior as a game of catch-up and next time it will definitely repeat the trick of simulating deafness.
The optimal age for learning more complex commands and sports tricks with an American Hairless Terrier is 7 months. But it is understood that by this moment the puppy has been socialized, educated and has already comprehended the initial elements of training. If at this age the dog is just trying to join your family, it is worth having a serious conversation with the seller about the skills that his pupil has. It is more difficult to accustom a grown-up American Hairless Terrier to the outdoor toilet, feeding regime and rules of behavior in the family, unless you come across a responsible breeder who worked with his puppies and managed to partially socialize them and train them in terms of etiquette.
