The American Hairless Terrier

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Are they really hairless? That depends on how you look at it. Yes, I consider them hairless, but if you look very closely you may notice very short velvety hair over their bodies. I would classify it like the tiny hairs humans have on their cheeks or forehead. Barely noticeable except in the strong sunlight or very close examination.

What do they feel like? Their skin feels just like human skin. It is smooth, soft and moist. Their skin is very pleasant to touch and most owners, I have spoken to, find they want to constantly touch and stroke them.

Do they really sweat? This question is a toughy. There are some breeders that can't believe their skin can be so different from other dogs and actually have sweat glands. I have been told that there has actually been biopsies done on previous AHT's skin and that they found their skin to be more like human skin. Since I don't have a report in front of me, I can only go with my experience with my dogs. Yes, I can sit and rub my dogs and bring out a substance that makes their skin feel moist...this could simply be a oil that lubricates their skin. But I can tell you...when my dogs get scared or upset...they break out in a sweat. When I touch them after they have gotten upset, they are covered with what I consider to be sweat. Also, there are times when I have pulled them from under the covers and they are covered with sweat. Unpleasant...no. Different...yes.

Do they have skin problems? They don't seem to have the problems that the other hairless breeds have. They don't get the juvenile acne, the clogged pores, and the constant blackheads. For the most part, all of mine have had absolutely beautiful and healthy skin...skin you like to touch. But as pups they did have a staph/bacterial infection from time to time. With one of my dogs...everytime she had a puppy shot, she would break out with a staph infection. But once she reached 6 months she had the most beautiful skin you could want. Staph infections are a common problem in a lot of breeds not just the AHT. Their immune system simply needs to mature and then it is able to fight off the bacteria that lives on their skin normally. The most important thing is to keep their skin clean...doing so will greatly eliminate problems. Final note: They do tend to get heat rash when getting overheated or held during extremely hot days. Once they cool down it disappears.

Is their skin hard to take care of? Not as difficult as some people would imagine...especially if you compare it to all the grooming some of the other breeds need. With these dogs you don't have the every 6-8 week trip to the groomers, the constant combing or brushing, or bathing and drying. With no hair there are no fleas...meaning no expensive flea products. And of course, no hair all over your furniture and floor. All that is needed with these dogs is a simple bath with an antibacterial soap, atleast once a week. Pat them dry with a towel and they're done. I bathe mine every other day with Dial Antibacterial Soap w/ Moisturizer and all of mine have clean touchable skin. The only other special care needed is a good sunscreen in the summer. A sunscreen made for babies with a spf of around 45 is the best but is only needed for extended periods of time in the sun. Their skin is not so delicate that they can not handle short periods in the sun without protection.

Are AHT's hypo-allergenic? While no dog is totally hypo-allergenic, the reports we have received from many allergy suffering owners have been most positive. I believe it has to do with how allergic to dogs you are and what it is that causes your allergic reaction. All dogs produce saliva, dander and urine and AHTs are no different, but I do believe the makeup of their skin has a great deal to do with the reason so many can tolerate them. As stated before, their skin is much more like human skin. Before purchasing a pup, it is best to try to meet with one in person to make sure you will not have any reactions.

What is their temperament like? As their name says...they are terriers. They are active, lively dogs with what seems to be an abundance of energy. They make great companions for young and old alike with enough energy to keep up with the most active youngster around or enough love to cuddle in a nice warm lap. They are also very intelligent and can learn obedience commands easily. These dogs are friendly with people and do not seem to be the yappy dog that so many of the toy breeds are. The AHT is a loving, loyal, obedient, playful clown all wrapped up in a small package. But do remember...all puppies should have proper socialization as youngsters in order to develop into proper adults. Your handling and training can have an enormous impact on the development of your dog's temperament.

How do they handle apartment living? The AHT is a lively dog, but with their size they could easily handle apartment living. Proper exercise is the real key though. The dog will have to go out to relieve itself, of course, but a brisk walk or romp in the park should be a regular part of the dog's life. A dog should not be left alone for long periods of time either as this can lead to bad habits of barking or destructive behavior due to boredom.

Can they be outdoor dogs? With their lack of hair they should not be kept as backyard dogs. They need to be kept inside to protect them from the sun and from the cold. Besides, they thrive on attention and have a great desire to be a part of your family. They would be miserable being left outside alone in the backyard. If you had a kennel facility with indoor/outdoor covered runs with heating and air conditioning...they would probably do just fine with several other AHTs. They do enjoy each others company.

What do they cost? This depends on the breeder and also the quality you are looking for. A pet quality sold on a spay/neuter contract is going to be less expensive than a show or breeding quality animal. I would say the average price probably begins at five hundred dollars. It is best to call around to several different breeders and let them know exactly what you are looking for, but don't forget to add the cost of shipping in when you are figuring up your final costs. Remember too, a dirt cheap price can mean poor quality and could lead to a lifetime of money layout. But just as important, a high price does not always mean a quality dog. It could simply be a greedy breeder with over inflated ideas of the worth of his/her dogs.

Are there many breeders and where? There are more breeders cropping up now that the breed is becoming more publicized. Unfortunately not all the breeders are reputable ones. There are breeders breeding other breeds into the AHT in hopes of changing the look to what they want it to be as well as change temperament and so on.  And there are breeders putting unhealthy dogs into their breeding programs so please do your homework and study the breed and ask lots and lots of questions of any breeder you happen to choose.

Do they have any health problems? The breed is still a new and rare breed so little is known about specific health problems. They do not have the skin problems like the other hairless breeds. Staph infections can be a problem with some pups, but it is easily treated and is not a life long problem. They also don't have the dentition problems of the other hairless breeds. The AHT has full and strong dentition, but we have noticed quite a few problems with overbites. This is simply a cosmetic problem, though and is not harmful to their health. The main problem we have starting noticing in the breed is "patellar luxation" and we are now working to correct the problem. Many of the breeders will be having their breeding stock certified clear of patellar luxation before breeding and have the puppies knees vet checked, before leaving for their new homes. This will greatly help your chances of getting a pup clear of the problem. AHTs are hearty dogs with an average lifespan of around fifteen years. Proper vaccinations and care should keep your AHT healthy and happy for a good long time.

The questions above are the most frequently asked questions but I am sure there are many many more out there. If you have additional questions, please feel free to email me personally.

I will respond with a personal email, as well as print the question and answer on this page.