American Hairless Terrier

February 4, 2023

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History

The American Hairless Terrier is a breed that originates from dogs called Feistes. Feist is a mixed breed brought to the United States at the dawn of the formation of the country – in the 18th century. One hundred years later, Feist was chosen as the basis of the creation of the so-called Rat Terriers – dogs of this type were in great demand in farms, warehouses, and shops throughout the country.

To produce the Rat Terrier, Italian Greyhounds were added to the breed, along with the Beagle and Miniature Pinscher. The Rat Terrier served faithfully many people in America, and one day, namely, in 1972, an unusual puppy was born – he was completely bald.

It happened on the farm of Edwin and Willie Scott, in Louisiana. Nine years later, Josephine, as the puppy was named, gave birth to the first offspring. They also turned out to be hairless. In fact, the dogs born from Josephine became the first American Hairless Terrier puppies, from which all lines that exist today are descended.

In 1998, the breed was recognized as the American Hairless Terrier by the American Rare Breeds Association and the National Rat Terrier Club. In 1999 this breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club as the Rat Terrier, Hairless variety.

Description

The American Hairless Terrier is a small dog with a lean, wiry but muscular build. The limbs are of medium length. Their neck is long and the abdominal cavity is pronounced. The ears are folded. Their tail is of medium length. The hair is either completely absent, or there is a very short coat. The International Breed Standard allows for both options.

Personality

These are very energetic and active dogs, which always have to move. Daily walks of at least 2 times per day, at least 30 minutes each, is a prerequisite for keeping such a dog. However, if you think that after a walk he will calmly sleep on the couch for half of the day, you are mistaken. He will look for opportunities to participate in family affairs, will ask you to play with him, or will play on his own.

Therefore you definitely need to make sure that your pet has plenty of toys. Of course, hunting instincts are also a mandatory attribute of the American Hairless Terrier breed. If you go to the park, or go on a picnic with friends in the forest, be sure that your pet will certainly try to catch some prey. It could be a squirrel, a mouse, a hare, or even a bird. It is imperative to teach obedience, otherwise, there will be trouble.

If you let him off the leash in the woods, you may need to search long and hard for the dog. They like chasing interesting smells and can get a little carried away while doing so. In fact, if you do not pay attention to training and obedience, then this can happen even during a walk in the park.

Since it is a terrier, it also likes to dig. If you have a house with a yard, be sure that the dog will definitely try to dig holes. It is better to teach it to dig holes in a designated place from a very early age.

They are ok with children, and always happy to play and have fun. The child must be taught the correct handling of animals, in order to avoid unpleasant moments since the dog has its own limit of patience. Strangers, in general, are perceived normally but if the dog is aware of himself as a guard dog in his territory, of course, he will perceive them as a threat and react accordingly.

The American Hairless Terrier has a well-developed intellect and understands people well but sometimes emotions and impulses still prevail. With other animals, same-sex aggression is possible. They do not tolerate the cold well. Therefore, in cold weather, a warm jumpsuit is needed. It is also not recommended to stay in the open sun on hot days for too long. By the way, this rare breed can be a good option for a person with an allergy to pet hair. Although it cannot be called completely hypoallergenic.

Training

The American Hairless Terrier breed needs early socialization, like most dots, in order to make the character more harmonious, gentle, and open towards other dogs and people. These pets have a lot of energy and need training. Training sessions should not be too long, if possible you should divide them into two.

Make sure that the session is not monotonous, otherwise, the dog will get bored very quickly. Training must include elements of games, as well as various active exercises. You need to have a good sense of humor, be patient, and be kind. Control yourself. This breed can be taught basic commands, but that is far from its limit.

Care

As you might have guessed – for this breed there is no need for combing. You need to bathe the dog at least once a week, choosing a shampoo with the right pH. The nails should be trimmed about 3 times a month, and the ears should be cleaned 2 – 3 times a week. As always, clean the eyes daily. By the way, this breed does not have sweat glands on its skin.