BREED DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION
Spot McGurk
Photo courtesy: Valley Hairless Terriers |
Breed Registries:
Note: The Coated and Hairless American Terrier breed is not presently recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club. The breed may be recognized by other registries not indicated here. For further details about dog registries, please see the document: Dog Breed Registries in North America.
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Origin:
United States
Height:
Miniature: Under 13 inches - Standard: 13 to 18 inches
Breed Profile:
In the U.S., the breed is known as both the "American Hairless Terrier" (AHT) and the "American Terrier" (AT). In addition, the breed is also sometimes referred to as the "Hairless American Rat Terrier" (HART) or "Rat Terrier, Hairless Variety." In Europe, Breeders use the name "Hairless Terrier" and in Japan and Singapore, the name "American Terrier" is used.
In Canada, the Canadian breed club is pursuing Canadian Kennel Club recognition and, with this goal in mind, the name being used for the breed is "American Terrier, Coated and Hairless Variety."
The American Terrier is a muscular dog with a sleek and elegant look. He is alert, intelligent, high-energy, loyal and loving to his family members.
The American Terrier is a new breed which came about from a female named Josephine who was born in 1972 from a litter of Rat Terriers. The breed was developed by Josephine's breeder, Edwin Scott, from her descendents. The only breed used in Scott's breeding program were Rat Terriers. In 1999, when the United Kennel Club (UKC) first recognized the Rat Terrier, the hairless was included as a variety rather than a separate breed. In January 2004, the UKC officially recognized the American Hairless Terrier as a separate and distinct breed. However, according to the UKC "it will be necessary for the foreseeable future to continue to include some Rat Terrier crosses until there are sufficient hairless dogs to maintain a separate and healthy gene pool."
Unlike other hairless breeds, such as the Chinese Crested or Xoloitzcuintli who may have hair on the head, feet and tail, the Hairless American Terrier is completely hairless except for whiskers and guard hairs on the muzzle as well as eyebrows. Hairless puppies are born with a soft down that covers the body but by the time the puppy reaches 6 to 8 weeks, the down should have diminished to the point where the dog is completely hairless.
In the American Terrier the hairless gene is recessive. In order to maintain a healthy gene pool, new bloodlines are created by carefully planned out-crossings to the Rat Terrier. The breeding of two American Terriers, Hairless variety, always produces hairless puppies. The breeding of a American Terrier to a coated Rat Terrier who carries the hairless gene or a breeding of two coated dogs carrying the recessive gene can produce a mix of coated and hairless offspring.
Health Issues
If you are considering the adoption of a American Hairless Terrier puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. This should include, among others, hip x-rays to exclude hip dysplasia and eyes should be checked to see that they are normal and PRA clear. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
Additional Health Resources:
- Health and Nutrition — Growing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website which includes information on several health and nutrition related issues.
- Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) — Providing a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs. CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
- AKC Canine Health Foundation — Working towards developing scientific advances in canine health.
- Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
- Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)
- University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHip)
- HealthGene — HealthGene Corporation is the leading provider of veterinary DNA diagnostic services in Canada.
Breed Standards
- UKC Breed Standard (Revised 26 July 2006)
- Illustrated Breed Standard for the American Hairless Terrier (From the AHTA)
Grooming Information
- Grooming — This section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website includes tips, articles and information covering all aspects of dog grooming along with a listing of Groomers from across Canada.
Training Resources
The American Hairless Terrier's natural curiosity and intelligence make him very trainable.
- Training — For training information, see this growing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
Additional Information
- AHT Forum— The place to talk about one of the rarest breeds of dogs...a truly American made dog.
- Clubs, Sports & Activities — For information on the many sports and activities you can get involved in with your dog.
- Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website provides information and listings of organizations that are involved in various dog jobs, such as Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Protection Dogs, and much more.
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Select from the following links to view Breeder listings; Breed Clubs; Rescue Organizations; as well as Books and other Merchandise specific to the breed:
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