American Hairless Terrier: features, content and feeding

The American Hairless Terrier is a very interesting and distinctive dog. This breed appeared relatively recently, but very quickly gained a large number of fans around the world.

The story of the emergence of American naked terriers originates in the islands of Britain, where their direct ancestors (rat dogs and rat terriers) were used by peasants to protect the harvest from rats and foxes. Representatives of this breed came to America with British families who emigrated to the United States.

Here they performed the same duties as in their homeland: they protected the harvest from uninvited guests. The population developed at a natural pace, then increasing its number, then putting it literally on the verge of extinction, as happened, for example, during the industrial revolution in 1930.

The family, in which the puppy was handed over, quickly appreciated the advantages of keeping a bare dog and seriously attended to getting offspring from her pet. For this, the head of the family, Edwin Scott, turned to geneticists, who advised him to tie up Josephine (as the puppy was called) with his own father. Experts rightly assumed that the birth of bald puppies in the event of such a cross is very large and was not mistaken.

As a result of mating, 4 babies appeared, one of whom turned out to be bald. The next two litters did not bring the desired result - all the puppies turned out to be quite ordinary, and only on December 30, 1981, Josephine gave birth to four babies, two of whom turned out to be bald at once. It is this day that was proclaimed the day the appearance of the American naked terrier breed.

Edwin was so inspired by the results that he took up active study of the newly-minted breed and devoted a lot of time to identifying the genetic patterns that led to the appearance of naked individuals. Then he opened the Trout Creek Kennel breeding nursery and began to promote and popularize the unique breed in every possible way.

The first happy owners of bald dogs were pleased to find that the pet does not cause allergies and needs minimal care. The news of this amazing breed quickly spread around the world, and the “Americans” began to enjoy high demand among the population.

In 1998, the American Association of Rare Breeds, as well as the American Rat Terrier Club, “Americans” were recognized as a separate breed of dogs. A year later, the United Kennel Club also brought them into its registry, but so far as a bald variety of Rat Terriers. And only in 2004, the "Americans" received official recognition and were registered in the UKC as an independent breed.

American hairless terriers are active and very mobile dogs with well developed muscles and a beautiful physique.The length of the body corresponds to the height at the withers as 10/9, which gives the body perfect proportions. The main characteristics of the representatives of the breed are as follows.

• Animal head It has a wedge shape and is distinguished by a moderate transition between the forehead and the muzzle. The wide skull narrows slightly towards the muzzle and has a slightly convex structure.
• The muzzle has a narrowing in the nose. and it is distinguished by powerful jaws with well-developed cheek muscles. This structure of the jaws was inherited by the “Americans” from the ancestors of the rat-catchers, whose mouth was very wide open and made it easy to catch rats.
• The nose has a single color, more often black pigmentation that matches the color of the lips.
• Terrier's lips are not loose, tight to the teeth.
• Teeth of animals present in the complete set and differ in strength and whiteness. As for the bite, it is mainly scissor, although the straight line is also allowed by the standard.
• The ears of the "Americans" have a V-shape and can fully stand, stand and hang on cartilage. Moreover, their position up to the age of one year is rather unstable and does not affect the exhibition rating.
• Eyes have bald terriers obliquely planted, have a round shape and a small bulge, and their color depends entirely on the breed variety. So, in absolutely bald dogs their color can be any, while in the covered variety it strictly corresponds to the coat color. Often there are individuals with blue and even amber eyes, although most of them are still dark brown. The edges of the eyelids have the same pigmentation as the nose and lips.
• Neck, gradually turning into the back, it has an average length and thickens closer to the shoulders, and a slight bend with moderate muscularity gives it some elegance and lightness.
• The front legs of the "Americans" distinguished by strong bone and practically vertical pasterns. The rear ones are rather muscular, and when visually inspected they stand parallel to each other. Paws have an oval shape and compact size. The middle fingers are slightly longer than the side, dewclaws should be removed.
• "American" has a harmoniously folded body a flat strong back, a slightly convex muscular lower back and a little sloping croup. Terriers have a deep chest, and its lower part is located at the level of elbows. On lateral inspection, a small oval forbrust is visible.
• The tail, thick at its base, tapers off towards the end. If the animal is in an unexcited state, the tail is carried slightly below the line of the back, in a wary state - along the ascending line with a slight bend, resembling a saber.
• Color in bald terriers can be anything. Usually on the main skin tone there are contrasting spots that become larger over the years, and the skin itself darkens.
• The growth of "Americans" is 40-45 cm, weight - no more than 6 kg.
• These dogs move very easily and naturally while the front limbs have a good amplitude, and the rear - a powerful push.

Considering the characteristics of the breed, it is impossible not to mention the varieties of "American." In total there are two types of dogs.

• The first are absolutely bald pets, which nevertheless appear on the light in a light "coat". By eight weeks, the fur falls out completely, except for the whiskers and eyebrows. The skin of these dogs is very soft and pleasant to the touch, capable of heat and in stressful situations to release sweat.
• The second type includes individuals with insignificant coat, continuing and in adulthood. Such dogs can have monophonic, and also two-or three-colored coloring with obligatory presence of white color.

But you should also mention the shortcomings that can lead to a decrease in the scores at the exhibition, and in the presence of serious flaws, and at all - to disqualification. So, a pet can be "rejected" for too sharp stop, short face, incomplete teeth, improper bite, lack of pigment and unpainted nipple, and also for the head, resembling an apple, protruding or deep-set eyes, and for the discrepancy between their color and basic color.

The disadvantages are the incorrect position of the ears, clubfoot, ring-tail, too large growth and obesity. Wool more than 1 mm long on bald individuals after 6 months of age, cryptorchidism, behavioral anomalies, deafness, disproportion of leg length in relation to the body, short from birth and albinism are considered serious defects. In a coated variety, this is additionally merle and the lack of white in color.

American naked terriers are very friendly and sociable, for which they can be safely attributed to the best companion dogs. Animals surprise owners with their mental abilities and high intelligence. Besides, they are active, curious and very energetic. This makes them an ideal breed for families where there are young children who will always be a company for a terrier on a walk and will gladly take part in any children's games and pranks.

The dog quickly and firmly attached to his family and very hard endures separation from the household. Left alone at home, a bored terrier begins to bark loudly and unceasingly, which may cause fair reproaches of its neighbors.

"Americans" get along well with almost all pets and enjoy spending time with them. The only exceptions are ornamental rodents and birds, which are completely undesirable to leave alone with a dog.

This is due to the fact that the “parents” of a hairless dog (rat terriers) are “professional” rat-catchers and hunters, and therefore it is better not to risk the life of poor hamsters and canaries and to take care of their safety in advance. For strangers who first came to the house, naked terriers are quite loyal, provided that the owner is in good spirits and glad of their visit.

The American Hairless Terrier is a fairly young breed, so there are no long-term studies on its genetic diseases. It is only known that the mutation, as a result of which the breed appeared, did not entail any serious physical anomalies and developmental abnormalities.

However, like any other breed, terriers still have weak spots. And first of all it is, of course, skin that often suffers from bright sunshine and severe frosts, because of what needs additional protection. So, in the summer, before going out on the street, a pet should be smeared with sunscreen, which should be wiped with a damp cloth upon returning home.

In winter, animals need to wear warm overalls and shoes. In addition, dogs sometimes get sick gastritis, enteritis and adenovirus. Hepatitis and staphylococcus are less common. In order to avoid many viral diseases, pets need to be vaccinated in a timely manner.

In general, naked terriers are distinguished by good health, high immunity and calmly live to 15 and sometimes to 17 years.

Buy puppies of the American naked terrier should either in pedigree nurseries, or from proven breedershaving a good reputation. In addition, before buying, you need to know what a purebred newborn naked puppy looks like.

The fact is that babies are not born absolutely bald, but covered with very soft and short hair. After 7-8 weeks, the birth hair falls out and the animal becomes naked. Acne is formed at the site of lost hair, which is absolutely normal and does not require any interventions.

You should also see how your baby has ears - if they are turned inwards, it is better to refuse to buy such a puppy. Teeth should also be carefully examined: they should be white and strong. In addition, you need to familiarize yourself with the history of diseases of the parents and check that the baby has age-related vaccinations.

American hairless terriers are exclusively indoor dogs and need thermal comfort. They are equally well suited as an apartment, and a country house. It is very important to provide the pet with a soft and comfortable stove bench, located away from drafts and heating appliances. Terriers from nature are very active and living creatures., and therefore need long walks in the fresh air with the ability to run without a leash.

As for caring for a dog, it includes a number of mandatory procedures.

• Integuments are the most vulnerable spot of naked terriers and need regular cleaning from sweat and dirt. To do this, use wet wipes or a soft cloth dipped in warm water. You can bathe the animal once a week using special shampoos for hairless dogs.
• Teeth teeth are cleaned once a week, using for this dog toothpastes and brush heads on the finger.
• Eyes wiped once a week with a wet swab dipped in strong tea or broth chamomile.
• Ears of naked terriers regularly inspect and, if necessary, wipe with a cotton pad moistened with oil.
• Claws pet pruned every 3 months with a clipper or special scissors.

"Americans" are picky in feeding and can eat both adapted feed and natural food. If it is decided to feed the puppy with ordinary food, then you should know that 50% of the total should be lean meat or offal. The remaining 50% should fall on cereals (buckwheat, rice or barley) and vegetables, which are given both in raw and cooked form.

Twice a week, the dog can be given eggs and boiled sea fish.pre-cleaned of large bones. From fermented milk products terriers can be fed with low-fat cottage cheese and sour cream.

If you plan to feed the puppy with ready-made feeds, then it is better to choose holistic or premium compositions, in which the substances necessary for the pet are not only in the required quantities, but also optimally combined with each other. The ideal option would be foods designed for pets with delicate skin, such as the Royal Canin Dermacomfort line.

However, if the dog is completely healthy and not prone to allergic reactions, then you can feed him more budgetary compositions, for example, Pro Plan, Eagle Pack, Hill's, or Acana. The main thing is to choose the right food in accordance with the age and build of the pet.

Mineral and vitamin supplements in this case do not need to be given, while dogs eating natural products additionally offer fish oil, bone meal and preparations containing sufficient amounts of vitamins and trace elements. Beaphar, CanVit, Excel 8 in 1 and Unitabs Daily Complex give good results. However, it is not possible to prescribe this or that vitamin-mineral complex to a pet.

Before buying, you should consult with the veterinarian, who, after taking a general blood test or biochemistry, will tell you exactly what elements the dog lacks and will recommend the right drug. To feed an adult pet should be twice a day, and the size of servings should be calculated based on the level of activity and the appetite of the dog.

American hairless terriers are perfectly amenable to training and are well suited for the role of the first pet. A distinctive feature of dogs of this breed is their desire to please their owner by all means. It helps newcomers to believe in themselves and raise an obedient and contact family dog.

The dog will also perceive the rest of the household very well, however, such attachment as a “main” owner will not be experienced. The training of naked terriers is carried out according to the traditional scheme using the methods of encouragement / punishment, using a strict shout or look as the last, but in no case beating. Particular attention should be paid to the problem of the causeless loud barking, which the representatives of this breed often sin, and from the puppyhood age to stop it resolutely.

On the peculiarities of the breed will tell the following video.