Dog Breed

American Hairless Terrier

RareFits in your backpackLong-livedHypoallergenic
Primary image of American Hairless Terrier dog breed
Full Name
American Hairless Terrier
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Life Span
14 – 16 years
Weight
7 – 22 pounds
Description

The American Hairless Terrier is the only "hairless" dog breed that is native to the US. It is very similar to the rat terrier, since this dog breed was developed after a special hairless variety was born from the rat terrier, and then bred for the hairless quality.

Don't let the small size fool you, they are high energy and still very much a 'terrier' in their personality. They have a high prey drive and will seek out rats, and other rodents.

The hairless terrier is hypoallergenic, barely sheds at all, and is very easy to groom and maintain, which shouldn't be a surprise since "hairless" is in its name. They can do well in a hot weather climate, but there should be precautions when leaving them in the sun for too long since they can get sun burnt.

Origin
United States of America
Bred For
Hunting rats and small rodents, and their hypoallergenic qualities
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the American Hairless Terrier good with children?

    Yes, the American Hairless Terrier is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the American Hairless Terrier naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the American Hairless Terrier friendly with strangers?

    The American Hairless Terrier is about average in how friendly they are with strangers. They can be timid or protective, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for any household.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the American Hairless Terrier friendly with other dogs?

    The American Hairless Terrier is about average in how friendly they are with other dogs. They can be timid or defensive, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for dog parks and living with other dogs at home.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the American Hairless Terrier like to cuddle?

    The American Hairless Terrier is not a cuddle bug, but it can still appreciate affection. It just has different boundaries with physical affection.
    Playfulness

    Does the American Hairless Terrier like to play?

    The American Hairless Terrier will almost always be ready for play! The American Hairless Terrier is great for a family with children, or otherwise, an environment that is always ready for play.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the American Hairless Terrier make a good service dog?

    The American Hairless Terrier would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the American Hairless Terrier good for first-time owners?

    The American Hairless Terrier is a good breed for first-time owners. A good fit for first-time owners are friendly breeds that are motivated to please their owner. This means they can be trained, and are rarely aggressive and overpowering.
    Training Potential

    How well can the American Hairless Terrier be trained?

    The American Hairless Terrier can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the American Hairless Terrier can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the American Hairless Terrier shed a lot?

    No! The American Hairless Terrier does not shed very much, and can be an excellent fit for someone who suffers from dog allergies.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the American Hairless Terrier easy to groom?

    The American Hairless Terrier requires very little grooming relative to other dog breeds, their coat is very low maintenance.
    Exercise Need

    Does the American Hairless Terrier need a lot of exercise?

    The American Hairless Terrier requires an average amount of exercise. You should be ready to dedicate a couple of short walks or a larger dog park session each day for your American Hairless Terrier to be happy and fulfilled.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the American Hairless Terrier?

    The American Hairless Terrier has average intelligence. They are smart and witty, but do not need to be constantly challenged mentally, as some other breeds.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the American Hairless Terrier bark? Does the American Hairless Terrier bark too much?

    The American Hairless Terrier barks an average amount. It can vary widely between American Hairless Terriers - some may be much more expressive than others.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the American Hairless Terrier a good guard dog?

    The American Hairless Terrier would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the American Hairless Terrier good at staying alone? Is the American Hairless Terrier independent?

    The American Hairless Terrier prefers having family around at all times, but can also do well when left alone. The American Hairless Terrier still needs plenty of attention, but is independent, and can typically be left alone for several hours without issues.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the American Hairless Terrier a good apartment dog?

    The American Hairless Terrier can be a good dog for apartment living. Daily exercise is still important, but the American Hairless Terrier is a better fit for apartment living than most breeds.
    Size

    How big is the American Hairless Terrier?

    The American Hairless Terrier is one of the smallest dog breeds- suited well for apartment living and very convenient for travel.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the American Hairless Terrier tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a American Hairless Terrier?

    The American Hairless Terrier can do very well in hot weather. Owners should still be aware of over-heating as this is one of the most common reasons for dogs going into the emergency room, but overall the American Hairless Terrier can do well in hot climates.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the American Hairless Terrier tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a American Hairless Terrier?

    The American Hairless Terrier does not tolerate cold weather very well, and we would not recommend having a American Hairless Terrier if you live in a very cold weather climate. Even if your home is warm, it can be inconvenient to go on walks, and you may need to have a sweater for your American Hairless Terrier.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the American Hairless Terrier try to run away?

    The American Hairless Terrier does sometimes run away. This is especially true if they are distracted, or see other cats or dogs. They probably won't go out of their way to "escape", but a fenced yard is still recommended.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the American Hairless Terrier a healthy dog? The health of a American Hairless Terrier should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The American Hairless Terrier is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the American Hairless Terrier high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the American Hairless Terrier?

    The American Hairless Terrier has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the American Hairless Terrier into your home. Can you give your American Hairless Terrier enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the American Hairless Terrier drool?

    The American Hairless Terrier does not drool at all.
    Prey Drive

    Does the American Hairless Terrier have a large prey drive? Does the American Hairless Terrier like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The American Hairless Terrier has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the American Hairless Terrier may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
    Athleticism

    Is the American Hairless Terrier atheltic?

    The American Hairless Terrier is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.

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  1. Terrier
  2. Toy Terrier
  3. American Hairless Terrier
The American Hairless Terrier is a purebred dog that belongs to the Toy Terrier sub group, which falls under the larger Terrier dog breed group.
Terrier group: Anyone who has had a terrier knows that they come with a big personality. Across the Terrier dog group there is much variation, but they are all feisty, proud, and extremely loyal to their family. With this strong personality comes stubbornness, so they are not the easiest dog, especially for a first time dog owner. However, with training and a strong owner, they can be some of the most rewarding dogs- their strong personality is fun, active, and will always bring something new. Terriers were originally bred for hunting, exterminating small vermin, and home protection. Terriers are a healthy and athletic breed. Because of this they require a good amount of exercise.
Toy Terrier sub-group: Expect craziness and cuteness all in one. The toy terrier is a toy dog that is very small, perfect for your lap, and will provide endless amounts of love. But at the same time, at their core they are a terrier- with a big personality and plenty of confidence that exceeds their size a hundred times over. They are very alert, so can even serve as a bit of a watchdog- certainly compared to other toy dogs. They were bred to hunt vermin, so they like when they have a job, and they have more energy than the average toy dog. Because of their proud personality, they may not be immediately friendly with strangers or other dogs.

American Hairless Terriers for adoption

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