American Hairless Terrier facts for kids
an American Hairless Terrier
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| Common nicknames | AHT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Origin | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The American Hairless Terrier (AHT) is a rare type of dog. It came from the Rat Terrier breed. On January 1, 2004, the United Kennel Club officially recognized the AHT as its own separate terrier breed.
This dog is smart, friendly, and full of energy. Many people who have allergies find the American Hairless Terrier to be a good pet choice.
Contents
History of the American Hairless Terrier
The story of the American Hairless Terrier in America began with dogs called Feists. These mixed-breed terriers came from Europe to North America in the 1700s. Later, in the late 1800s, the Rat Terrier breed was created from Feists. Other dog breeds like the Beagle, Italian Greyhound, and Miniature Pinscher were added to make the Rat Terrier.
The unique American Hairless Terrier breed started in 1972. A hairless puppy named Josephine was born in a litter of Rat Terriers in Louisiana, United States. The owners, Edwin and Willie Scott, loved Josephine's look and personality. When she grew up, they bred her hoping to get more hairless puppies. They finally succeeded in 1981. The puppies from that litter became the first dogs of the American Hairless Terrier breed.
What Does an American Hairless Terrier Look Like?
The American Hairless Terrier is an active, small to medium-sized terrier. It has smooth muscles.
- Height: 7 to 18 inches (18 to 45.7 cm) tall.
- Life Span: They usually live for 14 to 16 years.
- Weight: They weigh between 7 and 25 pounds (2.5 to 12 kg).
- Skin Color: Their skin can be white with many other colors. These include black, blue, pink, brown, tan, and sable. Their skin color can get darker in the sun.
- Eye Color: Their eyes can be brown, blue, grey, amber, or turquoise.
- Patterns: Their skin can have patterns like almost solid white, brindled (streaky), spotted (piebald), or saddled (a large patch of color on their back).
- Tail/Ears: Hairless AHTs must have long tails. Coated AHTs can have their tails left long or shortened.
- Type: They are considered a working breed.
Temperament and Personality
The American Hairless Terrier (AHT) is a smart, curious, and energetic dog.
They are graceful and athletic. They enjoy playing games like agility courses. These dogs often like to dig and chase small animals. They will bark to warn you if something is wrong, making them good watchdogs. However, AHTs are not strong swimmers, so they need to be watched carefully near water.
Because of their ancestors, AHTs have a strong instinct to hunt small animals. But since they don't have fur, rough bushes or thorns could hurt their skin. This means they are not usually used for hunting. Their strong prey drive has led some owners to wonder if they are the best choice for families with very young children.
Because they are small, they can get hurt if handled roughly. The best way to train an AHT is by using positive rewards. Some AHTs might need a gentler approach when you are guiding them.
Health Considerations
Since American Hairless Terriers don't have hair, their skin needs protection. They might need sunscreen or a light shirt to protect them from the sun. This depends on the season, where they live, and how much color their skin has. Clothes are also often used to keep them warm in cold weather.
See also
In Spanish: Terrier americano sin pelo para niños
