American Hairless Terrier: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The American hairless terrier, sometimes known as AHT, is a small- to medium-sized dog breed that's grown in popularity since its development in the 1970s. The dog is recognized for their usually hairless body, but they have eyebrows and whiskers, along with their signature erect, alert ears.

What the AHT lacks in fur they make up for with an energetic, bright, and fun-loving personality.

Learn more about the American hairless terrier’s history, care needs, and temperament.

Breed Overview

GROUP: Terrier

HEIGHT: 12 to 16 inches

WEIGHT: 12 to 16 pounds

COAT: Hairless except for whiskers and guard hairs on eyebrows and muzzle; coated variety has soft, short, dense coat

COAT COLOR: Any color combination; hairless variety will have solid or patterned skin pigmentation that can vary

LIFE SPAN: 14 to 16 years

TEMPERAMENT: Playful, inquisitive, alert, intelligent, lively, loving

HYPOALLERGENIC: Yes

ORIGIN: United States

Characteristics of the American Hairless Terrier

If you're looking for a big personality in a little body, and one that is likely to be a bit of a challenge but lots of fun, then the American hairless terrier could be for you.

However, if you're looking for a little lapdog, this isn't the breed for you. The dog may be small, but is driven, athletic, and has lots of stamina.

The American hairless terrier can get along well with other dogs with the right introductions, but be aware that they often have a bossy personality and will want to rule the roost. However, an AHT still has a built-in prey drive and may not be amenable to living alongside smaller furry pets.

History of the American Hairless Terrier

The American hairless terrier is a newbie on the block and the only hairless breed of dogs native to the United States.

This breed's history can be easily traced back to 1972 when a female hairless rat terrier named Josephine was born in a litter bred by Edwin Scott. Scott didn't realize this anomaly had happened at first as all AHTs are born with a downy hair covering that falls out after a few weeks.

Scott bred from Josephine and the dog's descendants to produce more hairless types of terriers. At first, the dogs were simply referred to as rat terriers of the hairless variety.

The Scotts continued their careful breeding program, and in 2016 the American hairless terrier was officially recognized by the AKC.

Because there's still a very small gene pool, some American hairless terriers are still born with a thin coat, and these are referred to as a coated AHT.

The American hairless terrier retains many of the characteristics of their rat terrier ancestors. Those dogs, developed in the early 19th century in England, were used as ratters and they were nicknamed "feists" because of their feisty little personalities.

American Hairless Terrier Care

The AHT is very energetic and often regarded as more affectionate than some terrier-types, but this dog can also be pretty spunky, so you need to be ready to put in the work to train them about boundaries.

Exercise

An American hairless terrier is a smart dog that likes to have a job to do. If left on their own too much during the day and not given enough exercise or enrichment, problem behaviors can start to surface.

The AHT likes short bursts of activity (and not in the direct sun), so a few short walks a day totaling about 30 minutes, plus a quick game of fetch indoors or outdoors, should suffice for exercise.

You may also find your AHT inherited another terrier passion: digging. Providing your dog with a designated digging pit or rewarding alternative, more desirable actions can help to prevent this from becoming a problem.

If the dog is particularly adventurous and you often take them off the beaten path, you'll have to watch out for them trying to tackle thorny undergrowth as the dog could more easily damage their skin.

Grooming

An American hairless terrier requires basic grooming, but with extra care when it comes to the dog's skin. An AHT commonly won't have a coat, so the dog's skin is very exposed, and this brings additional care considerations.

About once a week or so bathe with a mild dog shampoo and pat your dog's skin dry.

In hot weather conditions, you may need to apply a moisturizing sunscreen (only use sunscreens made for dogs) and evenly cover their body against the sun.

In the cold weather, an AHT will need a practical and well-fitting coat outdoors while exercising, and the dog may even need to wear a fleecy sweater indoors if your home is drafty.

As with all dogs, an American hairless terrier will need their teeth brushed, ears cleaned, and nails trimmed on a regular basis.

Training

You'll need to work hard on your AHT's rock-solid recall and keep the dog on leash in areas where there may be too much temptation to start a chase.

This smart breed also has a stubborn streak, and trying to force the AHT while training could backfire quickly. Instead, this dog responds well to reward-based training methods. Keep any training sessions short, varied, and fun, and you'll see good results.

Common Health Problems

The American hairless terrier is a new breed, so research is still ongoing about the inheritable conditions that could affect this dog. When selecting your puppy, make sure you go to a reputable breeder that performs appropriate health checks on the parents before breeding.

Current research shows that there are a few inheritable conditions that may affect the American hairless terrier, including:

• Demodectic mange: AHTs can have a problem with the naturally occurring demodex mite proliferating in larger than normal numbers, and this can cause hair loss, skin irritation, and infections. It can be treated, but it may be something that has to be managed throughout the dog's life.

• Legg-Calve Perthes: This congenital condition is more common in small breed dogs, but may affect AHTs. An inadequate blood supply to the hip results in a deformed femur. Surgery is generally required to correct the problem.

• Luxating patella: Common in small dog breeds, this condition is a result of the knee joint slipping out of its groove. Corrective surgery may be required.

Diet and Nutrition

As with any dog, you should feed your American hairless terrier a high-quality and properly portion-controlled diet. The amount you feed your dog will depend on size and level of activity.

Obesity is a major problem with the dog population in North America, and it can lead to a host of more serious health problems. Keep an eye on your AHT's body condition and avoid feeding unhealthy treats and table scraps to your dog.

Where to Adopt or Buy an American Hairless Terrier

The American hairless terrier is still a very rare breed, even in North America. To secure a puppy from a reputable breeder, you may need to get on a waiting list or travel farther afield. Expect to pay about $1,500 up to $4,000 for a purebred AHT.

While it will be very rare to find an AHT available for adoption, there are lots of other wonderful terrier-types looking for forever homes in shelters across the country.

To start your search for an AHT, try the following sources:

• The American Hairless Terrier Club of America

• AKC Marketplace

• Ratbone Rescues

American Hairless Terrier Overview

The American hairless terrier is a unique looking dog that makes a fantastic companion for individuals and families. They may not be suitable for households with other pets that could be viewed as prey, and they aren’t the right choice if you want a lapdog.

Pros of American Hairless Terriers

• Fun-loving and affectionate

• Very low-maintenance grooming regime

• Energetic

Cons of American Hairless Terriers

• Not lapdogs and tend to be independent

• Skin needs protection in extreme weather conditions

• Can have a high prey drive

Top 10 Hairless Dog Breeds: Adorable Without A Hairdo

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you're interested in dogs similar to the American hairless terrier you could also consider the following breeds:

• Rat Terrier

• Fox Terrier

• Chinese Crested

There are lots of wonderful dog breeds out there. By doing your research, you'll find one that will be best suited to having a forever home with you.