The American Hairless Terrier (AGT) is a young dog breed that has a sparse coat of minimal length. Outwardly, it may seem that the pet is completely naked, because... its fur is so short (about 1 mm) that it is almost impossible to notice with the naked eye. Due to their elegant appearance, easy-going nature and unpretentiousness in maintenance, the American Hairless Terrier breed is very popular.
History of the origin of the breed
The history of the new breed of pets began in 1972, when Louisiana breeder Edwin Scott became the owner of a hairless puppy named Josephine from rat terriers. Facts about the birth of hairless animals have been encountered before, considered a manifestation of mutation processes characteristic of this breed. The pet owner was pleasantly surprised by the advantages of keeping a dog without hair, so he decided to start breeding hairless dogs.
When the dog was one year old, she brought four puppies. However, only one pet was missing hair; the rest were English Rat Terriers. The official date of registration of the American Hairless Terrier breed is 1981. After a lengthy study of the animal’s characteristics, the breeder identified a number of genetic patterns that explain the presence of such a coat. Soon, Trout Creek Kennel was founded in Louisiana, which was exclusively engaged in the breeding and popularization of hairless terriers.
In a short period of time, the breed has attracted the interest of many dog breeders, and has also become the best solution for people who suffer from allergies to wool. In 1998, she was included in the list of the American Rare Breeds Association and the National Rat Terrier Club. The breed was then placed on the UKC register, but as a hairless variety of Rat Terrier.
The American Terrier was registered as an independent breed in 2004. In Russia, this happened a little later - in 2010. Today, owners of such a coat are recognized by the world's leading associations and kennel clubs.
Today, the hairless terrier is of interest to many breeders, not only in the West, but also in the Russian Federation. Since 2010, representatives of the breed are allowed to take part in exhibition events and compete for the title of national champion.
The unofficial name of the breed is the rat terrier (in America, rats were destroyed with the help of these agile and fast animals).
Owner reviews
Christina. I can’t imagine a more suitable breed of dog to keep in a family. These terriers are very friendly and easily make contact at any time. They love to play and walk outside. Our pet Sheila has become a true and devoted member of the family. I can especially recommend this breed to families with children.
In the video you can see American Hairless Terriers and hear the owners' opinions about this breed.
Alexander. I suffer from an allergy to dog fur, and after learning about the hypo-allergenic nature of American Hairless Terriers, I decided to get myself such a friend. It’s not for nothing that they write that this dog is the best companion - and it is. Barry is unusually smart, active and at the same time affectionate. Ready to do anything to please the owner and earn a reward.
Description of the breed with photos
The Hairless Terrier is an agile and muscular dog breed that grows to a medium size and is especially graceful, confident and inquisitive. Before buying a puppy, you need to familiarize yourself with its photographs and the specifics of its contents. The pet is not suitable for people who are rarely at home or are not willing to spend a lot of time with it.
Size and weight
The American Hairless Terrier is characterized by an athletic build, agility and endurance. The forelimbs have a good range of motion, and the hind limbs have a powerful kick. An adult dog grows to 25-46 cm at the withers and weighs about 5 kg .
Color and coat type
In order to expand the gene pool of the AGT breed, breeders crossbreed with the Rat Terrier.
As a result, two types of pets appear: compact and medium-sized. In this case, the coat can be either short or completely absent. Such differences are provided by the dominant and recessive genes of both breeds. There are two varieties of the hairless terrier breed:
- First. After birth, puppies have inconspicuous fur, but as they grow, it disappears. Adult animals are completely hairless, and light fluff is allowed only in certain parts of the muzzle. The skin is soft, but prone to sweating in stressful situations or when exposed to high temperatures.
- Second. Pets are born with short and smooth hair. It is colored mottled or sable and has white spots. The size and placement of hairs does not affect compliance with the standard.
Characteristics of the breed
Representatives of the breed are quite smart, inquisitive and active. Initially, the hunting dog became an excellent companion, while retaining the best qualities of a rat catcher. They are fast, hardy, easy to train and loyal to their owner.
The bare skin of pets is a vulnerable spot, so it is better not to use modern AHT in hunting. He can easily get injured because he has no fur. Also, the dog should be protected from cold and drafts. To do this you need to have clothes for her. Countries with warm climates are better suited for maintenance.
Before a walk, especially under the scorching sun, it is useful to treat your pet with sunscreen cream, since the skin of a hairless terrier is also sensitive to ultraviolet radiation and can easily tan.
The athletic dog will be a wonderful companion for a walk, jog, or just for active recreation. He will be happy to do the exercises, as he loves such a pastime and listens well to his owner. Without the necessary physical activity and training, a small terrier may become sad, begin to behave badly, or even become ill.
It is best to keep such a dog on a private property so that the pet has access to the yard and also has a warm living space. The American Hairless Terrier can live wonderfully in an apartment. Its compact size, lack of fur and, as a result, shedding are a pleasant aspect of keeping it. But in this case, he needs to be walked regularly and allowed to run and jump as much as he can.
The dog treats strangers well and is usually friendly. Initially she is friendly and makes contact easily. But her family will always come first. In case of danger, the faithful American Hairless Terrier will always protect its owner.
Lifespan of an American Hairless Terrier
Under favorable conditions and proper care, a pet can live up to 14-16 years . Long life expectancy is due to strong immunity.
Health and illness
As a young dog breed, the American Hairless Terrier is little studied, so there is no extensive information about its health and vulnerability to disease. However, due to the lack of fur, the skin is exposed to sunburn and hypothermia. When keeping a puppy, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the skin. It is important to provide the delicate skin with protection from heat and cold.
In summer, sunscreen is applied to it, and in winter, a sweater or overalls are worn. The pet needs regular bathing with a special shampoo. The skin is also treated with a moisturizing lotion to prevent drying out.
Among the main diseases that often occur in puppies of this breed are:
- Malfunctions of the digestive system (gastritis or enteritis).
- Hepatitis.
- Adenovirus.
- Staphylococcus.
In order to prevent dangerous deviations, the puppy must be provided with a balanced diet and vaccinations. Life expectancy is determined by the characteristics of care and living conditions of the animal.
Summarize
Once you get acquainted with photographs and names of dogs representing hairless breeds, you will surely fall in love with these gentle creatures. However, before you bring a hairless puppy into your home, think carefully about whether you can provide him with proper care and give him your love and care. If yes, then a hairless dog will become not just your pet, but a family member and best friend!
The editors of most-beauty.ru ask you to write in the comments what other hairless dog breeds you know. And also write to us about whether you like dogs and what breeds you like best.
Character and intelligence of the American Hairless Terrier
In character, pets resemble other terriers, but sometimes they are less energetic and active. When developing a new breed, breeders tried to create companions and cute pets. Therefore, animals are characterized by special devotion to the family and boundless loyalty.
Attitude towards children and others
A special advantage of the Hairless Terrier is good socialization and love for children. These pets are ready to spend a lot of time with small family members, playing outdoor games with them. In addition, they do not show aggression when handled roughly by a child, which distinguishes them from other terriers and medium-sized dogs.
Animals are polite towards strangers. At the same time, they demonstrate excellent sensitivity and attentiveness, so they immediately inform the owner about the approach of a third party. However, it is not advisable to use them as guard dogs, because pets do not have the required strength or aggressiveness.
With proper training, representatives of the hairless terrier breed find contact with other pets, including dogs and cats. But terriers are at odds with small creatures such as rats and hamsters. This is due to genetic factors and instincts.
AGT training
The puppy is characterized by excellent intelligence and obedience. Such character traits make him amenable to training. But some individuals show stubbornness, especially if the owner is not involved in raising the puppy.
Animals lead energetic lives but do not require more than 30-45 minutes of outdoor exercise per day. Otherwise, they will get bored and act up. You can keep a dog in an apartment, but before that it is important to teach it the basic rules.
Representatives of the breed are capable of barking a lot and for a long time. In a city apartment, this feature can become a problem. To eliminate it, it is necessary to devote a lot of time to training and education.
The nature of the breed and its purpose
The American Hairless Terrier is a very active and energetic dog. His character is sociable and friendly. This breed can confidently be called one of the best companion dogs. These dogs are very smart and curious.
In a family, the American Hairless Terrier singles out and listens impeccably to only one owner, but also shows devotion and obedience to other family members. These dogs become very attached to their home and have a hard time being separated from their owner.
If there are other pets (cats, dogs) or children in the house, the American Terrier will make great friends with them and will be happy to spend time playing with them.
As already mentioned, this breed was used in the past to hunt rodent pests, but nowadays the purpose of the breed has changed somewhat. Now the American Hairless Terrier serves as a faithful companion, although from time to time it shows its hunting qualities.
The American Hairless Terrier enjoys communicating and playing with all family members.
Advice. The American Hairless Terrier should not be kept in the same house with ornamental rodents or birds.
Pros and cons of the breed
If we talk about the advantages of the American Terrier, then they include the following points:
- Hypoallergenic due to lack of wool.
- Flexible and friendly character.
- Small sizes.
- Willingness to train and learn.
- Excellent socialization and bonding with children or pets.
Among the disadvantages of the breed is the vulnerability of the skin to burns. Another unpleasant moment is the loud and ringing barking.
Maintenance, care and nutrition
The lack of fur deprives dog owners of the need to constantly clean the premises. In addition, this feature makes the breed most suitable for people with allergies . But this does not mean that pets do not need to be looked after. On the contrary, their skin is highly sensitive to external irritants and needs care.
Dogs feel good both in a small apartment and in a spacious country house.
The main condition of keeping is regular walking in the open air.
To keep your skin clean, you need to wipe it with wet wipes and bathe at least once a week. Before walking outdoors, the body is treated with a remedy against sunburn, exposure to wind, cold and rain.
The animal's teeth are quite strong and do not require complex care. However, gums are prone to inflammatory processes. A proper and balanced diet helps prevent them.
The ears are regularly wiped with soapy water or oil. If you have crusts in your ears, you should seek help from a veterinary clinic. Perhaps they indicate damage by parasites.
The eyes of the American Hairless Terrier are characterized by high tear production. Rubbing with tea or special mixtures once a week helps combat it.
Nails need trimming every 3-4 months.
Representatives of the hairless terrier breed do not have any requirements for the composition and quality of food. They can be fed both natural and dry foods. To saturate the body with the necessary vitamins and nutrients, the following foods should be present in the diet:
- Lamb and chicken.
- Boiled yolk.
- Milk and dairy products.
- Green vegetables.
- Dry food.
With any form of feeding, the pet must be provided with access to fresh and clean liquid.
Education and training
The hairlessness of dogs should not be misleading. By all characteristics, these are not decorative dogs, but real terriers. They are energetic, resilient, smart and quick-witted. They are easy to train and require early socialization and serious education.
With hairless terriers they take part in various sports: agility, frisbee, obedience. Sometimes they can even be seen at coursing competitions.
The American Hairless Terrier is eager to please its owner and is very intelligent. Responds best to positive teaching methods. Can be stubborn at times, but quickly returns to work if the owner is calm and assertive.
How to choose a puppy
When choosing a hairless terrier puppy, you need to take into account a number of rules and criteria. You should not buy an animal from unverified breeders. It is better to go to a specialized nursery and purchase a dog with a pedigree and official documents confirming its cleanliness.
When looking for a good puppy, you need to make sure that it has white and strong teeth, erect ears and meets the standard. You should also familiarize yourself with the pedigree, the presence or absence of vaccinations and health status.
According to the breed requirements, the pet must have a black or plain nose, dry lips with a tight fit to the muzzle, powerful cheeks and erect or semi-erect ears.
Video about the breed
Experts say that purebred hairless terriers are characterized by many advantages, including hypoallergenicity due to the lack of hair, easygoing behavior and long life expectancy. Due to their compact size, these animals can be kept in an apartment or in a country house. Pets are easy to train, try to obey their owner in everything and do not show capriciousness.
However, when keeping an American Hairless Terrier, it is necessary to buy additional accessories and clothing for each season. You need to take proper care of your skin using sunscreen and shampoo.
The animal requires protection from cold or heat, so the duration of walks should not exceed 30-45 minutes a day. Otherwise, a dog of this breed is an excellent pet option with a lot of advantages and good qualities.
Hairless Dog Health
The American Hairless Terrier is a relatively healthy breed. Partly because it is not yet so numerous, and it is mainly dealt with by professional breeders.
Dogs of this breed are prone to primary lens luxation, but this is checked at the veterinary clinic.
The eyes of naked animals are not protected by eyelashes and are therefore vulnerable. If any debris gets into the eye, carefully remove it and wipe the eye with lotion.
When exposed to sunlight for a long time, treat the skin with a special cream with a protective factor.
If the diet is not suitable for the dog, pimples or redness will appear on the skin. In this case, contact a veterinarian and consult with the breeder of this dog.
Typical dog diseases can be prevented by timely vaccination:
| Disease | 1st vaccination | 2nd vaccination | Revaccination |
| Parainfluenza | 8-10 weeks | 21 -28 days | At 1 year |
| Leptospirosis | 8-10 weeks | 21 -28 days | At 1 year |
| Infectious hepatitis | 8-10 weeks | 21 -28 days | At 1 year |
| Parvovirus enteritis | 8-10 weeks | 21 -28 days | At 1 year |
| Carnivore plague | 8-10 weeks | 21 -28 days | At 1 year |
| Trichophytosis | From 1 to 6 months. | 10-14 days | At 1 year |
| Microsporia | From 1 to 6 months. | 10-14 days | At 1 year |
| Rabies | 12-13 weeks | — | At 1 year |
