In the early 1970s, a hairless puppy was born in a litter of Rat Terrier puppies. That puppy was the origin of the American Hairless Terrier (AHT) breed. In fact, for many years, the breed was known as Rat Terrier—Hairless Variety. In January, 2004, the breed was renamed.The breed has two sizes: toy and miniature. The toys are 7.5 to 11 inches tall and weigh between 4 and 8 pounds. The miniatures are 11.5 to 16 inches tall and weigh between 8.5 to 16 pounds. In both sizes, the dogs strongly retain their Rat Terrier heritage and appearance. They are well-balanced and muscular. Although puppies are born with short, fuzzy hair, by 8 weeks old, they have lost it. Their skin is soft, smooth, and warm. They have freckles or spots of black, brown, or red
Grooming is very easy. The skin can be washed with a damp rag. They can sunburn so they must be protected from too much sun exposureThis is a high-energy breed. They can go for a long walk morning and night and will enjoy several games of catch and fetch. As befitting their terrier heritage, they also enjoy hunting for small critters in the backyard. They excel at agility training.This breed needs early socialization, as these dogs can be wary of strangers. Early training is a plus, as AHTs have a quick, bright mind and if you don’t set some rules, they will. After basic obedience, have some fun. AHTs love trick training.
AHTs are devoted and loyal to their family. They are active and can be great with older children who respect them and are not too rough. They can be good with other dogs, although play with larger dogs should be supervised. They are not always good with smaller pets. Health concerns include knee problems, hip and elbow dysplasia, and allergies. The small gene pool in the breed is concern to some.BREED IN BRIEF
- Registries: UKC, AHT clubs
- Occupation: Companion Size: Toy: 7.5 to 11 in tall
- Longevity: 12 to 14 years
- Exercise: Active dog
- Training: Easy
- Grooming: Easy
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