American Hairless TerrierCharacteristics, history, training and care

In 1972, a completely hairless female puppy was born into a litter of Rat Terriers in Louisiana. Edwin and Willie Scott adopted her and named her Josephine. Wikipedia says she looked like an ordinary Rat Terrier, apart from her lack of coat.

Josephine produced one more hairless female puppy, Gypsy, but after that only coated puppies. Only in 1981, at the age of nine, did she give birth to two more hairless puppies. In 1983, the male Snoopy was mated with his sisters and many hairless puppies were born, the first of the new breed.

At first, the dogs were registered as a hairless variety of the Rat Terrier. The Scott family then founded a separate club. The United Kennel Club recognised the breed in 2004, and the American Kennel Club in 2016.

How the breed developed

• 1972 – Josephine, the first hairless puppy, is born.
• 1981 – Josephine gives birth to two more hairless puppies.
• 1983 – Snoopy becomes the founder of the breed.
• 2004 – Recognised by the United Kennel Club.
• 2016 – Recognised by the American Kennel Club.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed is not recognised by the FCI; the rating is based on the AKC profile (trainability 5 out of 5, good with children 5 out of 5, adaptability 5 out of 5).

The AKC describes it as a small to medium-sized terrier with smooth muscles and an active body. The head is shaped like a blunt wedge, and the ears are erect. The tail may be long or naturally short and is never docked.

General appearance

The hairless variety has smooth skin that is warm to the touch, sometimes with eyebrows and whiskers. The freckles on the skin grow larger with age. There are also dogs with a short, dense, glossy coat, which are still part of the breed.

The skin can be any colour, usually with spots. The coated variety can be white, bicolour, tricolour, sable or brindle, always with some white.

The AKC says it is very intelligent and eager to please, so training is usually easy and enjoyable. The AKC profile gives it 5 stars out of 5 for ease of training.

Its ancestors hunted rats, and the hunting instinct has remained. Early socialisation, between 7 weeks and 4 months, helps it become a calm, well-mannered adult.

Tips for effective training

• Use rewards. It learns very easily.
• Socialise it early. Between 7 weeks and 4 months.
• Keep it on the lead outdoors. It will go after rodents.
• Try a dog sport. It enjoys agility and scent work.

The AKC says it has moderate exercise needs: a few short walks a day or play in a fenced yard are enough. It enjoys activity, but is just as happy on the sofa next to its owner.

Tips for a balanced life

• Suitable for a flat.
• A coat or jumper in cold weather.
• Sunscreen in summer.

Coat and skin care

The hairless variety needs only an occasional bath and clean ears. Wikipedia says that without hair it easily suffers sunburn in summer and hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature, in winter.

Common health problems

The AKC says skin problems are rare. Responsible breeders screen the parents for the conditions below:

Other care

• Protect its skin from the sun.
• Keep it warm in winter.
• Go for yearly check-ups.

The AKC says it does well on good-quality food suited to its age. Some dogs put on weight easily, so portions and treats should be watched.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Split the food into two meals a day.
• Training treats count towards the daily portion.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Small breeds become adults faster than large ones, usually at around one year.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. Only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance should be used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In small breeds, a litter has 3–4 puppies on average. The puppies are very small and fragile in the first weeks, so they must be kept warm and handled with care. Socialisation starts early: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• Born by chance. To normally coated Rat Terrier parents, in 1972.
• The fuzzy puppy. The fuzz it is born with falls out from the nose towards the tail.
• Freckles that grow. The spots on the skin grow larger with age.
• Coated too. Some puppies are born with a coat and are still part of the breed.
• A natural tail. The tail is never docked.

Is it suitable for people with allergies?

It may be an option, as it has no hair, but allergies also come from the skin and saliva; try spending time with one first.

Does it need clothes?

Yes, in cold weather; in summer it needs sunscreen.

Why does it have fuzz at birth?

The puppies are born with fine fuzz, which falls out by about 6 weeks of age.

Is it easy to train?

Yes; the AKC says it is very intelligent and eager to please.