American Hairless Terrier
The terrier with nothing to hide — Louisiana's bare-skinned original.
Vital stats
| Size | Small · 30–41 cm |
| Weight | 5–11 kg |
| Life expectancy | 14–16 years |
| Energy | Moderate-high — 45–60 min/day |
| Shedding | None (hairless variety) |
| Coat | Hairless, smooth skin · pink with spots; coated variety exists |
| Group | Terrier · AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Underneath the bare skin sits an ordinary, excellent Rat Terrier: quick reflexes, a keen eye for rustling leaves, a fondness for digging and a genuine wish to work with you. It is one of the friendliest and most trainable terriers — playful with children, alert without paranoia, and lap-seeking by bedtime.
Habits & quirks
Heat-seeking missile
Finds every sunbeam, radiator and warm lap in the house, in that order.
Blanket burrowing
No coat means covers aren't optional — expect a lump under the duvet.
Ratting reflexes
Rustling leaves and garden rodents flip an ancient switch, fast.
The full-body wag
Joy is expressed from nose to tail tip, skin and all.
Care
| Skin | Occasional baths, moisturiser if dry, and dog-safe sun cream on bright days. |
| Warmth | A jumper in cold weather and a warm bed — it carries no insulation of its own. |
| Exercise | A brisk daily walk plus real play; the terrier brain needs games as much as legs. |
| Training | Quick, eager and food-motivated — among the easiest terriers to train. |
Common questions
Are American Hairless Terriers hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but with no coat to shed they're among the best choices for many allergy sufferers. Spend time with one before committing.
Do American Hairless Terriers need sunscreen?
Yes — bare skin burns like ours, so use dog-safe sun cream or keep to shade in strong sun. Light shirts work well for all-day outings.
Are they born completely hairless?
Puppies arrive with a light downy birth coat that sheds out within the first weeks, leaving smooth skin. A separate coated variety also exists and is essential to the breeding programme.