American Hairless Terrier (AHT) |
The American Hairless Terrier is a companion dog with a average size of 10–16 pounds and lives an average of 12 - 15 years. They can live in apartment s, condos, or homes but due to their lack of hair, they are strictly an indoor dog. Grooming is relatively minimal since there is no fur. They require regular baths, nail trims, and keeping the ears clean. The American Hairless Terrier (AHT) is easily trained, MUST live indoors, can live in any climate when you use precautions against extreme weather conditions.
The American Hairless Terrier is unique from other hairless breeds, such as Chinese Crested or Xolo, as they do NOT have hair anywhere on the body (such as head, feet, or tail) and should not have any excess body hair. Dentition in the American Hairless Terrier is full and strong, and skin problems are rare.
For over three decades, a variety of Hairless Rat Terrier has been in the making. The beginnings of this variety traces to Willie and Edwin Scott of Louisiana, who encountered a hairless mutant in a litter of Rat Terriers. This pup, called Josephine, was bred to produce more hairless progeny, a feat that was finally accomplished after several litters. Trout Creek Kennel was established in 1981, after nine years of concerted effort by the Scotts. Unlike other hairless dogs such as the Chinese Crested and Mexican Hairless who have tufts of hair on their heads, feet and tail, the hairless Rat Terrier is completely bald, except for his whisker and eyebrows. All hairless breeds suffer from skin problems (due to the lack of coat and the exposure to the sun). Poor dentition is another characteristic of most hairless breeds, though the hairless Rat Terrier possesses a very strong compliment of teeth.
The American Hairless Terrier, the name reserved for these dogs, possesses a recessive gene for hairlessness, which differs from the genetic base for other such breeds that have a lethal dominant gene. The coated Rat Terrier, however, is still used in hairless breeding programs from time to time. Until a sufficient gene pool is established, the hairless Rat Terrier continues to be a “work in progress.” The UKC will recognize the American Hairless Terrier when this goal is finally reached. Depending on the association with which your Rat Terrier is registered, a hairless Rat Terrier may or may not be shown. The Rat Terrier Club of America does not permit such dogs to compete, while the UKC-affiliated American Rat Terrier Association does allow the hairless variety to participate. For more information on the hairless variety, contact the American Hairless Rat Terrier Club.
Probably the most famous Rat Terrier in American history was Skip, constant companion of President Theodore Roosevelt. He helped rid the White House of a rat infestation but was
most treasured for his ability to keep up with the President’s high energy level and passion for the hunt.
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