American Hairless Terrier Complete Breed Guide

The American Hairless Terrier’s character is just as funny as its looks. What they lack in fur, they make up for in personality and energy. These lively pups enjoy spending time with their families, watching over them, and playing the day away.

American Hairless Terriers share a lot of the same personality traits as their Rat Terrier cousins, but their hairless bodies make them even easier to care for. These dogs are a mixture of sweet and sassy. They adore their families and love spending time with them, but they aren’t afraid to go into feisty watchdog mode when necessary. Hairless Terriers may be small, but they have energy for days. Their small statures make them the perfect size for apartments and condos, but if you keep them pent up for too long, they get cabin fever and you're sure to have a crazy canine on your hands.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

The American Hairless Terrier’s affectionate and cuddly personality makes it a wonderful family friend. They do well with small children, especially when they’re raised together. However, these dogs are a bit territorial, so they may growl or bark if you infringe on their space. They also have a strong prey drive and love hunting small animals. Hairless Terriers are petite and apartment friendly, but they have high energy and need plenty of exercise and playtime.

Exercise & Activity

American Hairless Terriers have endless energy and will take as much activity as they can get. Similar to other terrier breeds, they love agility games and playing outside. They need at least 20-30 minutes of exercise each day, whether it’s a long walk or playtime in the yard. Make sure to watch your Hairless Terrier around water, as they’re known to struggle with swimming and other splashy activities.

American Hairless Terriers are the quintessential terrier. They’re energetic, curious, feisty, and fearless. These pups make good watchdogs because they’re attentive and love to bark, but they’re friendly and affectionate when they aren’t on patrol. Their loving nature makes them a great fit for families, especially those with small children.

As its name indicates, the American Hairless Terrier is one of the rare breeds without a coat. They have light, fuzzy fur when they’re born, but they start shedding shortly after and are hairless within a few weeks. The dog’s skin may be pink, gray, red, black, or golden and needs to be protected from the elements since it doesn’t have any other covering.