Facts at a glance:
Country of origin: Southern United States
Breed Group: Terrier
Purpose: Companion
Average Size: 12 to 16 inches, 12 to 18 pounds
Average life span: 12-15 years
Acceptable colors: Any except merle or albino
Brief description: A natural variation of the Rat Terrier, this completely hairless dog (some may have eyebrows and whiskers) is a lively, intelligent and friendly companion that is often the perfect answer for those with allergies.
Brief description: The hairless variety is completely hairless with the exception of possible eyebrows and whiskers. The Coated variety has a short shiny coat. It is a lively, intelligent and friendly companion. The hairless variety is often the perfect answer for those with allergies. Sometimes you will get a hairy hairless that gets some wiry hair with hormones. These usually fall out around 2-3 years of age.
Good with children: The AHT generally gets along very well with children. One caution is with very young children. As a puppy especially, the AHT is small and can be accidentally injured by a well-meaning but overly enthusiastic or careless child. Also any dog can growl or snap if pushed too far by any child. It is important that parents take precautions to prevent accidental injuries to the puppy, teach the children proper handling and interaction with dogs, as well as supervise young children at all times with any dog, regardless of breed. As puppies AHT can be very mouthy and have sharp teeth.
Can live in apartment or city: Yes, does very well in apartments and cities. They are strictly an indoor dog.
Grooming needs: Relatively minimal. Regular bathing, nail trims and keeping ears clean.
Climate needs: Can live in any, with precautions against extreme conditions.
Outdoors Vs Indoors: MUST live indoors, NOT an outdoor or yard dog
Trainability: Intelligent, trainable and enjoys activity such as obedience & agility
Compatible with other dogs: Yes- when socialized properly
Exercise needs: Minimal. Regular walks, indoor play time. Enjoys activity but content to be a lap dog as well.
Watchdog ability: Many will alert to a stranger by barking, but not generally protection dogs.
Breed Group: Terrier
Purpose: Companion
Average Size: 12 to 16 inches, 12 to 18 pounds
Average life span: 12-15 years
Acceptable colors: Any except merle or albino
Brief description: A natural variation of the Rat Terrier, this completely hairless dog (some may have eyebrows and whiskers) is a lively, intelligent and friendly companion that is often the perfect answer for those with allergies.
Brief description: The hairless variety is completely hairless with the exception of possible eyebrows and whiskers. The Coated variety has a short shiny coat. It is a lively, intelligent and friendly companion. The hairless variety is often the perfect answer for those with allergies. Sometimes you will get a hairy hairless that gets some wiry hair with hormones. These usually fall out around 2-3 years of age.
Good with children: The AHT generally gets along very well with children. One caution is with very young children. As a puppy especially, the AHT is small and can be accidentally injured by a well-meaning but overly enthusiastic or careless child. Also any dog can growl or snap if pushed too far by any child. It is important that parents take precautions to prevent accidental injuries to the puppy, teach the children proper handling and interaction with dogs, as well as supervise young children at all times with any dog, regardless of breed. As puppies AHT can be very mouthy and have sharp teeth.
Can live in apartment or city: Yes, does very well in apartments and cities. They are strictly an indoor dog.
Grooming needs: Relatively minimal. Regular bathing, nail trims and keeping ears clean.
Climate needs: Can live in any, with precautions against extreme conditions.
Outdoors Vs Indoors: MUST live indoors, NOT an outdoor or yard dog
Trainability: Intelligent, trainable and enjoys activity such as obedience & agility
Compatible with other dogs: Yes- when socialized properly
Exercise needs: Minimal. Regular walks, indoor play time. Enjoys activity but content to be a lap dog as well.
Watchdog ability: Many will alert to a stranger by barking, but not generally protection dogs.
History:
In the autumn of 1972, a small hairless female puppy was born into a litter of midsized Rat Terriers. She had silky, pink skin with large black spots. Not knowing exactly what to do with this different puppy, the owners decided to give her to their friends, Willie and Edwin Scott. Little did they know at the time that this unusual little pup would be the beginning of a new and unique breed.
The Scotts named their new pup Josephine, and she quickly caught the hearts of the entire family. She proved to be the perfect pet with her intelligent, lively and loyal manner. Being hairless also meant there were no fleas and no dog hair to vacuum up or brush off. This was a definite plus for the new family addition. They did find out that Josephine's smooth and silky skin would need protection from the hot Louisiana sun. She turned out to be a very bright little dog that loved to travel and make new friends wherever she went.
The Scotts treasured Josephine and became interested in breeding her and producing more hairless puppies. They had owned dogs in the past, but were not familiar with breeding. That wasn't going to stop them, though. With her clean nature, alert and loving personality, Josephine was the perfect house dog and they couldn't imagine owning any other kind of dog. They began to talk about their plans to anyone who would listen, including university scientists. They received the same answer each and every time: "You'll just be wasting your time, it can't be done..." They were told that Josephine was simply a freak of nature and that there was no way that she would reproduce the hairless trait. But Willie and Edwin couldn't take no for an answer and went ahead with their plans to breed her.
At the age of one year, Josephine was bred to a Rat Terrier (her sire) and she produced a litter of four puppies. Three of the pups were coated, and one was a hairless female named Gypsy. In the years that followed, Josephine had several litters, but none with any hairless puppies. On December 30, 1981, when Josephine was nine years old and still in good health, she had her final litter after being bred to her son. She whelped a hairless male, a hairless female, and two coated female puppies. This successful litter produced Snoopy, Jemima, Petunia, and Queenie.
The Scotts' dreams were becoming a reality, and on that day they witnessed the birth of the American Hairless Terrier breed.The Scotts were now ready to embark on a full scale breeding program with help from veterinarians. Snoopy was bred to all of his littermates once they reached one year of age. Jemima produced a litter of all hairless pups and the Scotts were overjoyed when Petunia's and Queenie's litters produced both hairless and coated. They kept all of the pups and the house was quickly becoming crowded. They had no choice but to build the kennel that adjoins their house. The Scotts were now on their way and named their kennel "Trout Creek Kennel".
Interestingly, the American Hairless Terriers are actually born with hair. The puppies' sparse hair is short, fuzzy, and noticeably different from the hair on a coated Rat Terrier. Shortly after birth they begin to lose this hair, starting at the head and working its way toward the back. By the time the puppies are 6 to 8 weeks old, they are totally hairless with soft, smooth, and silky skin. Their pink skin is warm and usually covered with freckles or small spots. These spots will enlarge with age and darken in the sun. The delicate pink skin does need to be protected from long periods of sun exposure.
The American Hairless Terrier is a small to medium sized, well-balanced, muscular dog with a sleek and elegant look. It comes in two sizes, miniature and standard. The miniature stands under 13inches tall. The miniature is 13inches to 18inches tall. They are alert, intelligent, and loving dogs. Their high energy makes them good playmates for children, and their intelligent and loving nature makes them loyal family members.
The American Hairless Terrier is different from the other hairless dog breeds native to other countries. The breeds most often seen are the Chinese Crested, the Xoloitzcuintli, and the Peruvian Inca Orchid. These breeds all have a few things in common: most evident is the hair on the head, feet, and tail on the hairless variety; missing, poor, or weak teeth; and skin problems. The American Hairless Terrier has a strong , full set of teeth, a totally hairless body (except for whiskers and eyebrows), and does not have the skin problems associated with the other hairless breeds. Another difference found between the breeds is that in the American Hairless Terrier the hairless gene is recessive, while the gene for hairlessness found in the ancient breeds is a lethal dominant.
New American Hairless Terrier bloodlines are created by carefully planned "out-crossings" to the Rat Terrier. The breeding of two American Hairless Terriers will always produce hairless puppies, while the breeding of an American Hairless Terrier to a coated hairless gene carrier will produce a mixture of coated and hairless offspring. Two coated dogs carrying the recessive hairless gene can produce a mixture of hairless and coated, as well.
The Scotts named their new pup Josephine, and she quickly caught the hearts of the entire family. She proved to be the perfect pet with her intelligent, lively and loyal manner. Being hairless also meant there were no fleas and no dog hair to vacuum up or brush off. This was a definite plus for the new family addition. They did find out that Josephine's smooth and silky skin would need protection from the hot Louisiana sun. She turned out to be a very bright little dog that loved to travel and make new friends wherever she went.
The Scotts treasured Josephine and became interested in breeding her and producing more hairless puppies. They had owned dogs in the past, but were not familiar with breeding. That wasn't going to stop them, though. With her clean nature, alert and loving personality, Josephine was the perfect house dog and they couldn't imagine owning any other kind of dog. They began to talk about their plans to anyone who would listen, including university scientists. They received the same answer each and every time: "You'll just be wasting your time, it can't be done..." They were told that Josephine was simply a freak of nature and that there was no way that she would reproduce the hairless trait. But Willie and Edwin couldn't take no for an answer and went ahead with their plans to breed her.
At the age of one year, Josephine was bred to a Rat Terrier (her sire) and she produced a litter of four puppies. Three of the pups were coated, and one was a hairless female named Gypsy. In the years that followed, Josephine had several litters, but none with any hairless puppies. On December 30, 1981, when Josephine was nine years old and still in good health, she had her final litter after being bred to her son. She whelped a hairless male, a hairless female, and two coated female puppies. This successful litter produced Snoopy, Jemima, Petunia, and Queenie.
The Scotts' dreams were becoming a reality, and on that day they witnessed the birth of the American Hairless Terrier breed.The Scotts were now ready to embark on a full scale breeding program with help from veterinarians. Snoopy was bred to all of his littermates once they reached one year of age. Jemima produced a litter of all hairless pups and the Scotts were overjoyed when Petunia's and Queenie's litters produced both hairless and coated. They kept all of the pups and the house was quickly becoming crowded. They had no choice but to build the kennel that adjoins their house. The Scotts were now on their way and named their kennel "Trout Creek Kennel".
Interestingly, the American Hairless Terriers are actually born with hair. The puppies' sparse hair is short, fuzzy, and noticeably different from the hair on a coated Rat Terrier. Shortly after birth they begin to lose this hair, starting at the head and working its way toward the back. By the time the puppies are 6 to 8 weeks old, they are totally hairless with soft, smooth, and silky skin. Their pink skin is warm and usually covered with freckles or small spots. These spots will enlarge with age and darken in the sun. The delicate pink skin does need to be protected from long periods of sun exposure.
The American Hairless Terrier is a small to medium sized, well-balanced, muscular dog with a sleek and elegant look. It comes in two sizes, miniature and standard. The miniature stands under 13inches tall. The miniature is 13inches to 18inches tall. They are alert, intelligent, and loving dogs. Their high energy makes them good playmates for children, and their intelligent and loving nature makes them loyal family members.
The American Hairless Terrier is different from the other hairless dog breeds native to other countries. The breeds most often seen are the Chinese Crested, the Xoloitzcuintli, and the Peruvian Inca Orchid. These breeds all have a few things in common: most evident is the hair on the head, feet, and tail on the hairless variety; missing, poor, or weak teeth; and skin problems. The American Hairless Terrier has a strong , full set of teeth, a totally hairless body (except for whiskers and eyebrows), and does not have the skin problems associated with the other hairless breeds. Another difference found between the breeds is that in the American Hairless Terrier the hairless gene is recessive, while the gene for hairlessness found in the ancient breeds is a lethal dominant.
New American Hairless Terrier bloodlines are created by carefully planned "out-crossings" to the Rat Terrier. The breeding of two American Hairless Terriers will always produce hairless puppies, while the breeding of an American Hairless Terrier to a coated hairless gene carrier will produce a mixture of coated and hairless offspring. Two coated dogs carrying the recessive hairless gene can produce a mixture of hairless and coated, as well.
Registries:
UNITED KENNEL CLUB:
The American Hairless Terrier Association, AHTA, was formed by a group of dedicated owners and enthusiasts of the American Hairless Terrier (AHT). Prior to January 1, 2004, the breed was recognized as the Rat Terrier - Hairless Variety. In 1999, when the Rat Terrier was seeking breed recognition with the United Kennel Club (UKC), the AHTA members felt they could best accomplish their goals by aligning themselves with their parent breed, the Rat Terrier, the UKC Parent Club (ARTA), and the UKC. In so doing, they had agreed to present the Hairless Variety of the Rat Terrier according to the guidelines of UKC. Effective January 1, 2004, the American Hairless Terrier became its own BREED and no longer competes directly against the Rat Terrier in the breed ring in UKC.
AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB:
The American Hairless Terrier was recognized as distinct breed by the kennel association American Kennel Club in 2016. They are in the Terrier group.
FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE:
Under the patronage of FCI this breed is still classified as a non-recognized breed.
The American Hairless Terrier Association, AHTA, was formed by a group of dedicated owners and enthusiasts of the American Hairless Terrier (AHT). Prior to January 1, 2004, the breed was recognized as the Rat Terrier - Hairless Variety. In 1999, when the Rat Terrier was seeking breed recognition with the United Kennel Club (UKC), the AHTA members felt they could best accomplish their goals by aligning themselves with their parent breed, the Rat Terrier, the UKC Parent Club (ARTA), and the UKC. In so doing, they had agreed to present the Hairless Variety of the Rat Terrier according to the guidelines of UKC. Effective January 1, 2004, the American Hairless Terrier became its own BREED and no longer competes directly against the Rat Terrier in the breed ring in UKC.
AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB:
The American Hairless Terrier was recognized as distinct breed by the kennel association American Kennel Club in 2016. They are in the Terrier group.
FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE:
Under the patronage of FCI this breed is still classified as a non-recognized breed.
The Genetics behind the AHT:
Puppies with birth coat
The American Terrier is the only breed in which the hairlessness trait is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. It is expressed only if a dog inherits this particular gene from both parents. Homozygosity in American Hairless Terriers is not lethal as is the case in other hairless breeds. The gene for hairlessness is not associated with any health issues that affect the teeth quality or dog´s fertility. The dogs of hairless variant are born healthy with a sparse coat that is lost completely within the first month after birth (so-called hypotrichosis).
In 2017, a specific gene responsible for the hairlessness of the American Hairless Terriers was identified. It is a gene coding for protein kinase 3 controlled by serum and glucocorticoids (SGK3), where four bases were deleted and the reading frame shifted (c.283_286delttag).
It has been developed a genetic test that distinguishes dogs by the number of mutation copies – the coated dogs either do not carry any copy of the mutation or can be carriers of this trait. If two carriers are mated, theoretically 75% of the puppies will be born coated (without mutation or with one mutation copy) and 25% of puppies will be born hairless having both two copies of the mutation.
.Reference:
Parker, H.G., Harris, A., Dreger, D.L., Davis, B.W., Ostrander, E.A. :The bald and the beautiful: hairlessness in domestic dog breeds. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 372:, 2017. Pubmed reference: 27994129. DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0488.
In 2017, a specific gene responsible for the hairlessness of the American Hairless Terriers was identified. It is a gene coding for protein kinase 3 controlled by serum and glucocorticoids (SGK3), where four bases were deleted and the reading frame shifted (c.283_286delttag).
It has been developed a genetic test that distinguishes dogs by the number of mutation copies – the coated dogs either do not carry any copy of the mutation or can be carriers of this trait. If two carriers are mated, theoretically 75% of the puppies will be born coated (without mutation or with one mutation copy) and 25% of puppies will be born hairless having both two copies of the mutation.
.Reference:
Parker, H.G., Harris, A., Dreger, D.L., Davis, B.W., Ostrander, E.A. :The bald and the beautiful: hairlessness in domestic dog breeds. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 372:, 2017. Pubmed reference: 27994129. DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0488.
UC Davis Statement:
Hairlessness in the dog has evolved independently at least twice. One form of hairlessness present in several breeds (Peruvian Inca Orchid, Chinese Crested, Mexican Xoloitzcuintle) is inherited as a dominant trait and is lethal in the homozygous state (two copies of the mutation). A second, recessive form defines the American Hairless Terrier, a breed thought to be derived through selective breeding from the Rat Terrier. Contrary to the dominant form, there are no adverse effects on dentition or fecundity associated with the recessive Terrier hairlessness.
Although the trait breeds true in the American Hairless Terrier, outcrosses are performed to systematically introduce variation and create a healthier, more diverse gene pool. These crosses benefit from DNA test results, which will assist breeders in identifying the coated dogs that carry the hairless mutation.
A DNA test for the recessive Terrier hairless trait is now available through the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. This test distinguishes dogs with respect to the mutation: coated and clear (no mutant copy), coated and carrier (one mutant copy), or hairless (two mutant copies). Order Test here.
Hairlessness in the dog has evolved independently at least twice. One form of hairlessness present in several breeds (Peruvian Inca Orchid, Chinese Crested, Mexican Xoloitzcuintle) is inherited as a dominant trait and is lethal in the homozygous state (two copies of the mutation). A second, recessive form defines the American Hairless Terrier, a breed thought to be derived through selective breeding from the Rat Terrier. Contrary to the dominant form, there are no adverse effects on dentition or fecundity associated with the recessive Terrier hairlessness.
Although the trait breeds true in the American Hairless Terrier, outcrosses are performed to systematically introduce variation and create a healthier, more diverse gene pool. These crosses benefit from DNA test results, which will assist breeders in identifying the coated dogs that carry the hairless mutation.
A DNA test for the recessive Terrier hairless trait is now available through the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. This test distinguishes dogs with respect to the mutation: coated and clear (no mutant copy), coated and carrier (one mutant copy), or hairless (two mutant copies). Order Test here.
Here is a link to a portion of Dr. Neff Seminar explaining the hairless mutation in AHT’s.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jlH1szFZo0c&feature=youtu.be
Articles:
The bald and the beautiful: hairlessness in domestic dog breeds (pdf)
Investigating Coat Color Inheritance and Hairless Breeds (pdf)
Investigating Coat Color Inheritance and Hairless Breeds (pdf)
