GROUP 2 - TERRIERS

Brief History
The American Hairless Terrier was officially recognised by the A.K.C. in 2016. The history of the American Hairless Terrier was identical to that of the Rat Terrier until the 1970s. The AHT, as they are sometimes called, is the product of a rare, major mutation that occurred in a litter of Rat Terriers in 1972. A completely hairless puppy with pink skin and black spots was born in a litter of otherwise normal Rat Terriers in Louisiana. This puppy became the foundation for the American Hairless Terrier Breed.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 12 to 14 years.

Temperament
Energetic, alert, curious and intelligent.

Generally neither aggressiveness or extremely shy. They have retained a strong hunting instinct but because their lack of coat precludes hunting to a great degree, they are more suited to other activities and sports. Given early socialization and training, they excel as companions, displaying great affection for their owners and family.

General Breed Description
The American Hairless Terrier is a small, naked, smoothly muscled, active terrier. He is not so heavy as to appear coarse or so light as to appear racy and he is longer in body that height. His tail is carried out or slightly curved upward. The overall appearance is strong but moderate with firm, smooth muscles. Any colour or combination of colours is allowed with the exception of albino or merle.  His ears can be erect or folded forward. American Hairless are ideal for owners with allergies.

Coat and Care Requirements
The breed is hairless but has a coated counterpart.  The coated variety is covered with a short, smooth and dense coat.  Hairless puppies are born with a soft, vestigial ‘down’ known as the ‘birth coat’.  This generally covers the body but diminishes over time and puppies should be completely hairless by approximately 8-10 weeks of age.  A mature, hairless dog will have whiskers and guard hairs on the eyebrows and muzzle. Short, very fine hair may be present on the body of a mature dog. The skin is smooth and warm to the touch. Extra care must be taken for both cold weather and for sunburn. American Hairless Terriers benefit from attention, training and exercise in a secure yard.

Size
Height: 30.5cms to 40.6cms (12 to 16ins)

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed health and what health testing the breeder does.

Suitability
A great inside dog, you will not be cleaning up dog hair with this breed. Suitable for suburbia, this breed will make a great companion for an owner who plans to spend a lot of time, especially inside, with his dog and wants a close companion. He should be walked daily on lead, because he still has a prey drive.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

 Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/211