The American Hairless Terrier is a unique dog breed with a distinct appearance and a fun personality. They were developed by crossing the Mexican Hairless Dog with various other dogs. This is a tough little dog with a big heart. They love to be the center of attention, regardless of where they are.
History
Originating in the mid-20th century, the American Hairless Terrier is a relatively new dog breed. Although it has been around for only about 70 years, it has already garnered some fanfare, winning Best in Show at Westminster and other competitions. The breed’s beginnings can be traced back to the 1950s, when a woman by the name of Martha Jane Cannary bred two Rat Terriers together.
A decade later (in 1961), they became popular after being featured in Life Magazine as “the world’s rarest dog” under Cannary’s ownership; she called them X-Ray dogs because they supposedly glowed when x-rayed due to their hairless skin.
These dogs were bred with other Rat Terriers and Dachshunds from then until finally becoming recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1995; these days you can find purebred American Hairless Terriers all over North America.
Are American hairless terriers good pets?
American hairless terriers are playful, affectionate dogs that make good pets. These dogs are active indoors and outdoors. They like to curl up on the couch or in your lap for a snooze, but they also enjoy an afternoon of fetch or Frisbee.
American hairless terriers need lots of space to run around and spend time with their families. They tend to be particularly friendly toward children. An American hairless terrier can live in a moderately sized apartment if it has regular exercise outside.
Breed Characteristics
The coat of this breed is hairless and has a soft, smooth texture like that of chamois or suede leather. This breed has no undercoat, which means there’s little shedding.
The American Hairless Terrier is one of the best dogs for people with allergies, as it doesn’t shed much hair at all due to its lack of undercoat. They are loving, energetic and playful dogs that love being around people and other animals alike.
This breed requires very little grooming since they have no coat. However, they should be brushed daily with a soft bristle brush to prevent unsightly hairballs from developing inside their stomachs – just make sure your dog is completely used to this before you begin brushing them regularly!
Appearance
The American Hairless Terrier shares some of its characteristics with other dogs, but it has a few unique features to its appearance.
Apartment Dog: This dog is the perfect choice for city life, as it sheds very little fur and doesn’t require much grooming. Keeping this dog clean is basic; all you need to do is wipe off excess drool from time to time, plus brush its teeth every month or so. You might also want to trim nails a few times per year.
A Docked Tail: One distinguishing feature is the coat’s length—it’s short everywhere except for the long tail that may be docked or kept natural (unlike many other breeds). The ears may also be left natural or cropped at 45 degrees before docking or ear-tipping tails.
Purpose
American hairless terriers are a rare breed of dog that has only been recognized by the American Kennel Club since 2008. The American hairless terrier was bred to hunt vermin and rats, and it’s no surprise that this tenacious pet is still inclined to follow those hunting instincts today.
As a companion dog, the American hairless terrier is willing to please its owner while also being described as playful, friendly, loyal and intelligent.
Temperament
The American Hairless Terrier is a friendly, playful and intelligent dog breed, who should not be aggressive. A well-bred American Hairless Terrier should be good with strangers and other pets in the household.
This highly active dog breed needs plenty of time to run around and play outdoors, or with their family indoors. They should be good with children too, as long as they are properly socialized when they are young.
Adaptability
With all the work required to raise a puppy, it can be easy to overlook the fact that you’ll be responsible for a living being for some time. Before you bring your new dog home, think about how it will adapt to your home and other animals in it.
Will there be issues with certain dogs or cats? Will others be wary of its size? How well does she get along with other animals? What will her diet consist of when she’s grown up?
With so many factors to consider, you’ll need to make sure your furry friend is prepared for life by raising her right from the start.
Health
They are prone to several health problems, including patellar luxation (a congenital defect in which the kneecap slips into the thighbone), a cancer called malignant mesothelioma, and even tumors.
To reduce your dog’s risk of injury, make sure it is up-to-date on vaccinations and that it has been groomed on a regular schedule. Vet checkups every six months will help you identify any early symptoms of these diseases.
Grooming Needs
- The American Hairless Terrier is one of the most low-maintenance dog breeds out there.
- This breed is essentially odorless, and its skin doesn’t usually produce oils, meaning you won’t have to worry about cleaning your dog’s ears. (Though you may still want to be conscious of any ear infections or mites)
- Regarding grooming needs, the American Hairless Terrier requires only a weekly brush-out and semi-annual baths.
Trainability
American Hairless Terriers are an easy-to-train breed, and they will respond best to a firm yet gentle hand. A lot of praise and food rewards will motivate them to listen, and a lot of patience is crucial in the beginning stages of training. These dogs are sensitive to tone of voice and body language, so showing your dog what you want using positive reinforcement works best.
American Hairless Terriers are very intelligent, but they can also be stubborn if you let them get away with it early on in training. They can be used as therapy dogs or even service dogs if you train them properly and show them that the tasks they’re learning are meant to make their owners or other humans happy. They love doing tricks for treats, so training doesn’t have to be a chore for either party; it can be fun!
Size and Weight
If you’re looking for a dog that won’t take up much space in your home, but isn’t too tiny to be adorable, consider the American Hairless Terrier.
- This breed is the smallest of the terriers and weighs 7–16 pounds as an adult.
- Despite their size, they are still incredibly playful and active.
- The hairless part of their name comes from their lack of fur.
- The American Hairless Terrier is small, with a height range of 12-16 inches.
- The head should be broad and flat with large rounded eyes and big ears that stand upright.
- Their skin should be black or white and feel like sandpaper; it’s also covered with wrinkles on its face and neck region that make it look haggard.
- The breed has short legs that allow them to move quickly when hunting rodents in enclosed spaces.
Personality
This breed’s ability to enjoy the company of people is a great characteristic for an animal companion because it means that you’ll always have someone around who wants to play or cuddle with you.
While this can be exhausting in small doses, over time it’s certain to become one of your favorite qualities about your American hairless terrier. Most hairless dogs are highly adaptable and don’t need much special care beyond regular brushing or bathing, but occasionally, they can have some extra considerations. Let’s take a closer look!
Feeding
American Hairless Terrier dogs are known for being lovable, gentle creatures that have a tendency to do well with children and other pets. As such, they will usually be pleased with any type of food you give them. That said, there are a few important things to keep in mind when it comes to your pup’s diet:
- Make sure the food you give your dog is high quality and contains all the necessary nutrients for proper development. You may want to consult a professional about what foods you should avoid giving your dog, as some may cause harm or allergic reactions if eaten regularly;
- Be sure you are feeding your dog at the same time every day. Not only will this help him develop a habit of eating at regular times during the day. But it can also help prevent overeating by giving him smaller meals throughout the day instead of one large meal that could cause digestive issues later;
- Choose a location and environment where you can easily keep an eye on your dog when he is eating.
How much is an American Hairless Terrier?
The average price of a puppy ranges anywhere from $800 to $3,000. There are many factors that affect the price you have to pay for a pup.
Factors that influence the price:
- location (closer to cities, you can get certain breeds for less);
- size and age of the dog (the older or bigger it gets, the more expensive it will be).
Conclusion
The American Hairless Terrier is a wonderful breed for any dog lover. They’re relatively hardy and easy to care for, but do need some skin care products like grooming gloves. It mustn’t get too hot or too cold for them, and that you give them plenty of time to run around in the sun each day.
In exchange, they will sit in your lap, loving you until you feel bad about not having ever paid rent. Their best skill is their ability to be true companions in any situation. Plus, they’re adorable and so tiny that they can fit anywhere!
