Quick Facts:
Breed name:
American Hairless Terrier
Registries:
American Kennel Club (AKC)
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC)
Country of origin:
Southern United States
Breed Group:
Terrier
Purpose:
Companion
Average Size:
12 to 16 inches, 12 to 16 pounds
(approx 30cm-40cm, 5kg-7kg)
Average life span:
12-15 years
Acceptable colors:
Any except merle or albino
Brief description:
A natural variation of the Rat Terrier, this completely hairless dog (some may have eyebrows and whiskers) is a lively, intelligent and friendly companion that is often the perfect answer for those with allergies.
Good with children:
The AHT generally gets along very well with children. One caution is with very young children. As a puppy especially, the AHT is small and can be accidentally injured by a well-meaning but overly enthusiastic or careless child. Also any dog can growl or snap if pushed too far by any child. It is important that parents take precautions to prevent accidental injuries to the puppy, teach the children proper handling and interaction with dogs, as well as supervise young children at all times with any dog, regardless of breed.
Can live in apartment or city:
Yes, does very well in apartments and cities. They are strictly an indoor dog.
Grooming needs:
Relatively minimal. Regular bathing, nail trims and keeping ears clean. Protection from the sun.
Climate needs:
Can live in any, with precautions against extreme conditions.
Outdoors Vs Indoors:
MUST live indoors, NOT an outdoor or yard dog
Trainability:
Intelligent, trainable and enjoys activity such as obedience & agility
Compatible with other dogs:
Yes- when socialized properly
Exercise needs:
Minimal. Regular walks, indoor play time. Enjoys activity but content to be a lap dog as well.
Watchdog ability:
Many will alert to a stranger by barking, but not generally protection dogs.
Health Issues: Dogs used for breeding should be health tested for Luxating patellas, Cardiac, PLL, Hemophelia A, Vwd, LCP (rare). Allergies have been reported to grass,foods.
Differences from other hairless breeds:
The AHT is quite a bit different from most commonly known hairless breeds (such as Chinese Crested, Xolo, etc.). The AHT does NOT have hair anywhere on the body (such as head, feet, tail) and should not have any excess body hair. Dentition in the AHT is full and strong, and skin problems are rare.
© American Hairless Terrier Club of America
American Hairless Terrier
Registries:
American Kennel Club (AKC)
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC)
Country of origin:
Southern United States
Breed Group:
Terrier
Purpose:
Companion
Average Size:
12 to 16 inches, 12 to 16 pounds
(approx 30cm-40cm, 5kg-7kg)
Average life span:
12-15 years
Acceptable colors:
Any except merle or albino
Brief description:
A natural variation of the Rat Terrier, this completely hairless dog (some may have eyebrows and whiskers) is a lively, intelligent and friendly companion that is often the perfect answer for those with allergies.
Good with children:
The AHT generally gets along very well with children. One caution is with very young children. As a puppy especially, the AHT is small and can be accidentally injured by a well-meaning but overly enthusiastic or careless child. Also any dog can growl or snap if pushed too far by any child. It is important that parents take precautions to prevent accidental injuries to the puppy, teach the children proper handling and interaction with dogs, as well as supervise young children at all times with any dog, regardless of breed.
Can live in apartment or city:
Yes, does very well in apartments and cities. They are strictly an indoor dog.
Grooming needs:
Relatively minimal. Regular bathing, nail trims and keeping ears clean. Protection from the sun.
Climate needs:
Can live in any, with precautions against extreme conditions.
Outdoors Vs Indoors:
MUST live indoors, NOT an outdoor or yard dog
Trainability:
Intelligent, trainable and enjoys activity such as obedience & agility
Compatible with other dogs:
Yes- when socialized properly
Exercise needs:
Minimal. Regular walks, indoor play time. Enjoys activity but content to be a lap dog as well.
Watchdog ability:
Many will alert to a stranger by barking, but not generally protection dogs.
Health Issues: Dogs used for breeding should be health tested for Luxating patellas, Cardiac, PLL, Hemophelia A, Vwd, LCP (rare). Allergies have been reported to grass,foods.
Differences from other hairless breeds:
The AHT is quite a bit different from most commonly known hairless breeds (such as Chinese Crested, Xolo, etc.). The AHT does NOT have hair anywhere on the body (such as head, feet, tail) and should not have any excess body hair. Dentition in the AHT is full and strong, and skin problems are rare.
© American Hairless Terrier Club of America
AHT Breed History
American Hairless Terrier by Teri Murphy and Bonnie Turner
The history of the American Hairless Terrier as we know it, began in 1972, when Edwin Scotts neighbour gave him a little hairless female.This hairless puppy was born in a litter of normal looking coated puppies, and was produced by coated mid-sized rat terrier parents. In a previous litter, the same two parent dogs had produced a hairless puppy, which was lost, probably from exposure. This second puppy, however, was very vigorous, and grew just as well as her siblings. Mr. Scott named her Josephine (pictured above middle with her final litter of puppies).
As he and his family lived with her, and her progeny, they came to realize what a gift this hairlessness would become. Because these hairless dogs are so easy to keep clean and pest free, people who don't want to be bothered with fleas and hair can experience "dog joy" free of those annoyances. But even more important than "convenience" is the true joy experienced by a family that could never before have a dog. Allergies keep millions of people from being able to live with coated dogs. Those of us who have not been denied this pleasure have no idea what a loss that can be. Almost every breeder of these hairless dogs has come to know their true value through an association with the families who need them. It is very difficult for non-allergic family members to be denied a much wanted pet because another family member cannot tolerate living with it. The situation for the allergic individual can be even more painful! Not only are they unable to have the pet they want, but they might also feel responsible for the loss the rest of the family must endure. Happily for them all, it appears that a higher percentage of sensitive persons can tolerate this hairless breed, than any other breed in the world!
These hairless dogs produce a normal amount of lubricating skin oil, the same as do coated dogs. With no coat to disperse onto, the oil serves another purpose, most important to sensitive people. Between baths, the oil stays on the surface of the skin, and traps the normal dander that all skin produces, thus keeping the dander out of the environment, and making it less of a threat to an allergic person. When the dog is bathed, the dander goes down the drain. This breed appears to be well able to tolerate being bathed two or even three times weekly. Their skin is surprisingly durable, even though it lacks the protection of a haircoat. That same lack of a haircoat, however, does make the skin very susceptible to sunburn. They must be protected by clothing or sunblock.
As far as how the weather affects them, these dogs are very similar to their coated counterparts. They are able to tolerate limited exposure to cold better than prolonged exposure to heat and humidity. Overall, they are every bit as tough and active as their coated brethren.
The personality of this hairless terrier is that of any terrier. Given the opportunity to hunt squirrel, dig for moles, catch vermin or chase a ball, these dogs will be right in the middle of the hunt or the chase! They are now also being proven in the agility ring.
There are numerous accounts of our hairless friends working a tree, killing vermin, and digging for underground treasures. For most owners, nothing is more pleasurable than watching them do what comes naturally. But when it is time to settle in their owners lap or sit by their side, they are right there, ready to enjoy the companionship of their humans.
They do tend to bond closely with their families, so early socialization is important. This hairless terrier is different from all other hairless breeds in several ways. Most evident is the quality of its "hairlessness". The skin is so much softer and smoother than that seen in any other hairless breed. With the exception of some whiskers and eyelashes, it is totally hairless. Some individuals when viewed at an angle, in good light, may exhibit a very fine, downy "peach fuzz".
Another notable difference from all other hairless breeds, is their normal dentition. There are no missing premolars, and the canine teeth are of normal size and set in a correct angle within the jaw. Very important to breeders is the fact that this hairlessness is a recessive trait, with no lethal gene, as is found in the other hairless breeds. Breeders may breed hairless to hairless without danger to the developing puppies. This most useful trait is what most of today's breeders are using to add new genetic material to the breed.
The breed owes Edwin Scott a great deal of gratitude for having the foresight and tenacity to foster this hairless trait for so many years. He was the one who started exploring and learning some of the genetic information we still use today. He named his new breed the American Hairless Terrier, and most of what we know of them came from his observations.
In January 1999 the Rat Terrier was fully recognized by UKC. At the same time, these hairless "cousins" became recognized as the hairless version of the more familiar coated rat terrier. Since the foundation hairless lines had been inbred for so many years, it was very important to introduce new, unrelated rat terrier lines to the foundation hairless dogs.
Most breeders of the hairless are keenly aware of the responsibility they have to this variety and are strongly in favor of health testing, DNA profiling and placing all pets on a spay/neuter contract. In their quest for even further improvement of this most delightful member of dogdom, most breeders are working together, sharing knowledge and a firm commitment to future members of this breed, and the families who will love them.
Our most sincere and heartfelt Thank You to UKC for allowing us the opportunity to preserve our pedigrees in a safe environment and within the ranks of this highly respected registry. Without your help and guidance, the progress we have made would not have been possible. Thanks also, to the Rat Terrier community for being instrumental in the preservation of this unique trait. Not many new breeds have been fortunate enough to have so much help during their development. Many future owners will come to know and benefit from this breed because of your help.
The AHT was accepted into the AKC/FSS in October 2011 and became showable in Miscellaneous classes in January 2014. The breed gained full AKC status in January 2016 and was added to the Terrier Group.
As he and his family lived with her, and her progeny, they came to realize what a gift this hairlessness would become. Because these hairless dogs are so easy to keep clean and pest free, people who don't want to be bothered with fleas and hair can experience "dog joy" free of those annoyances. But even more important than "convenience" is the true joy experienced by a family that could never before have a dog. Allergies keep millions of people from being able to live with coated dogs. Those of us who have not been denied this pleasure have no idea what a loss that can be. Almost every breeder of these hairless dogs has come to know their true value through an association with the families who need them. It is very difficult for non-allergic family members to be denied a much wanted pet because another family member cannot tolerate living with it. The situation for the allergic individual can be even more painful! Not only are they unable to have the pet they want, but they might also feel responsible for the loss the rest of the family must endure. Happily for them all, it appears that a higher percentage of sensitive persons can tolerate this hairless breed, than any other breed in the world!
These hairless dogs produce a normal amount of lubricating skin oil, the same as do coated dogs. With no coat to disperse onto, the oil serves another purpose, most important to sensitive people. Between baths, the oil stays on the surface of the skin, and traps the normal dander that all skin produces, thus keeping the dander out of the environment, and making it less of a threat to an allergic person. When the dog is bathed, the dander goes down the drain. This breed appears to be well able to tolerate being bathed two or even three times weekly. Their skin is surprisingly durable, even though it lacks the protection of a haircoat. That same lack of a haircoat, however, does make the skin very susceptible to sunburn. They must be protected by clothing or sunblock.
As far as how the weather affects them, these dogs are very similar to their coated counterparts. They are able to tolerate limited exposure to cold better than prolonged exposure to heat and humidity. Overall, they are every bit as tough and active as their coated brethren.
The personality of this hairless terrier is that of any terrier. Given the opportunity to hunt squirrel, dig for moles, catch vermin or chase a ball, these dogs will be right in the middle of the hunt or the chase! They are now also being proven in the agility ring.
There are numerous accounts of our hairless friends working a tree, killing vermin, and digging for underground treasures. For most owners, nothing is more pleasurable than watching them do what comes naturally. But when it is time to settle in their owners lap or sit by their side, they are right there, ready to enjoy the companionship of their humans.
They do tend to bond closely with their families, so early socialization is important. This hairless terrier is different from all other hairless breeds in several ways. Most evident is the quality of its "hairlessness". The skin is so much softer and smoother than that seen in any other hairless breed. With the exception of some whiskers and eyelashes, it is totally hairless. Some individuals when viewed at an angle, in good light, may exhibit a very fine, downy "peach fuzz".
Another notable difference from all other hairless breeds, is their normal dentition. There are no missing premolars, and the canine teeth are of normal size and set in a correct angle within the jaw. Very important to breeders is the fact that this hairlessness is a recessive trait, with no lethal gene, as is found in the other hairless breeds. Breeders may breed hairless to hairless without danger to the developing puppies. This most useful trait is what most of today's breeders are using to add new genetic material to the breed.
The breed owes Edwin Scott a great deal of gratitude for having the foresight and tenacity to foster this hairless trait for so many years. He was the one who started exploring and learning some of the genetic information we still use today. He named his new breed the American Hairless Terrier, and most of what we know of them came from his observations.
In January 1999 the Rat Terrier was fully recognized by UKC. At the same time, these hairless "cousins" became recognized as the hairless version of the more familiar coated rat terrier. Since the foundation hairless lines had been inbred for so many years, it was very important to introduce new, unrelated rat terrier lines to the foundation hairless dogs.
Most breeders of the hairless are keenly aware of the responsibility they have to this variety and are strongly in favor of health testing, DNA profiling and placing all pets on a spay/neuter contract. In their quest for even further improvement of this most delightful member of dogdom, most breeders are working together, sharing knowledge and a firm commitment to future members of this breed, and the families who will love them.
Our most sincere and heartfelt Thank You to UKC for allowing us the opportunity to preserve our pedigrees in a safe environment and within the ranks of this highly respected registry. Without your help and guidance, the progress we have made would not have been possible. Thanks also, to the Rat Terrier community for being instrumental in the preservation of this unique trait. Not many new breeds have been fortunate enough to have so much help during their development. Many future owners will come to know and benefit from this breed because of your help.
The AHT was accepted into the AKC/FSS in October 2011 and became showable in Miscellaneous classes in January 2014. The breed gained full AKC status in January 2016 and was added to the Terrier Group.
AHTs in Australia
The breed was put forward for ANKC inclusion in 2016 and became showable in the Terrier Group in July 2017.
The first American Hairless Terrier came to Australia in December 2013 and another 3 dogs arrived in 2015 with 1 more in 2017. The first litter was born in Australia in 2016.
The breed standard for Australia can be found here in basic form:
http://ankc.org.au/Breed/Detail/211
The first American Hairless Terrier came to Australia in December 2013 and another 3 dogs arrived in 2015 with 1 more in 2017. The first litter was born in Australia in 2016.
The breed standard for Australia can be found here in basic form:
http://ankc.org.au/Breed/Detail/211
Credits
All credits on this page (excluding AHTs in Australia and photo on top right) go to Terry Murphy and the AHTCA. Many thanks for helping us in every conceivable way, from start to finish!