The American Hairless Terrier came into existence in the 1970’s as a mutation of the Rat Terrier. These intelligent and active little dogs are now considered a separate breed of their own and are often recommended for those suffering from allergies. As with every hairless breed, they do also have a coated variety as well – “coated carriers” have a short, smooth jacket of fur. The minimal coat (in coated carriers) or outright lack of coat (in the hairless variety) makes them especially easy to care for. Even hairless individuals need regular baths but drying time is practically nothing compared to most dogs.
The breed is a delight to train and compete with in many dog events. While not hyperactive in the house, they definitely have enough energy to do almost anything physical that is asked of them. This makes them great in the agility ring, the obedience ring, or most other dog sports! They have an enthusiastic, willing-to-please attitude which makes them generally easy to train, although some of them can get a little pushy. These feisty terriers definitely require rules, and may walk all over an owner who refuses to train the dog.
The AHT tends to get along very well with children although their small size makes them delicate and better suited to older kids. Affectionate and friendly, they enjoy being playmates just as much as they like being lap-dogs! They also get along great with other dogs, cats and other pets as long as they are socialized to them early on. They consider most small outdoor animals fair game, however – and will chase anything that moves.
American Hairless Terriers are prone to digging in the yard, particularly if they smell the scent of a rodent. Although the hairless variety is at a disadvantage of getting scratched without a protective coat of hair, this doesn’t stop them from trying to eradicate rodents. Their high prey drive also means that they should be kept in a fenced yard, or on a leash when out in public. In addition, they should be supervised around pools or bodies of water because they are not known for their swimming ability…
American Hairless Terriers are easy to keep in an apartment, as they do well in small spaces. They do not make suitable outside-only dogs, however. The lack of hair means that they are susceptible to hot and cold temperatures which means they need to be indoor dogs. This doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be given walks – they definitely should (!) but the owner should be prepared to dress the dog in a coat when it’s cold, or apply sunblock when it’s hot. Luckily, AHTs don’t need a ton of exercise. A short walk every day combined with playtime in the house (even if it’s in the kitchen) is usually sufficient.
The AHT will bark to announce someone at the door but is far too small to be a guard dog. As with most terriers, these little guys are no exception when it comes to courage and feistiness! They think that they are a much bigger dog than they actually are, which can sometimes be problematic as they tend to be territorial. That said, when a new friend is introduced to the dog, the AHT usually accepts them easily.
The AHT is fairly healthy and doesn’t seem to suffer from skin irritations or absence of teeth as much as the other hairless breeds, but they are prone to some issues such as luxating patellas, cardiac issues and allergies. Make sure the breeder does health testing and you’ll be more likely to end up with a healthy dog! When well-taken care of, it is not unusual for them to live to 15 years of age. Do not be alarmed if your AHT starts sweating when hot – this is a normal trait for the breed.
