Learn the breed standard for the
American Hairless Terrier
Standard goes into effect January 2004

The American Hairless Terrier is an American breed descended from the rat terrier whose ancestors were brought over by English miners and other working class immigrants. These terriers probably included crosses between the Smooth Fox Terrier, the Manchester Terrier and the now extinct white English Terrier. These dogs were used as ratters, and gambling on their prowess in killing rats was a favorite hobby of their owners. Some of these dogs were crossed with Whippets (for speed) and Beagles (for hunting ability). Eventually, these tough little terriers evolved into today's Rat Terrier. Many Rat Terriers are still used as ratters and squirrel hunters, particularly in the South, where they are sometimes known as "Feists." The hairless variety appeared for the first time in a litter in 1972. Although the American Hairless Terrier still has its drive to hunt, it is a companion first. The Rat Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1999.

GENERAL APPEARANCE - The American Hairless Terrier is a smoothly muscled, active, small-to-medium size terrier. The preferred ratio of length of body (prosternum to point of buttocks) to height (withers to ground) is 10:9. The head is broad, slightly domed, wedge-shaped, and proportionate to the size of the body. Ears are V-shaped, set at the outside edges of the skull, and may be erect or button. The American Hairless Terrier has a natural tail carried in an upward curve. The Coated Carrier may have a docked, natural bobtail, or natural tail. The American Hairless Terrier comes in solid white, other solid colors with markings, and white with a variety of colored patches and patterns. The American Hairless Terrier should be evaluated as a working companion, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog's ability to perform. Honorable scars resulting from fieldwork are not to be penalized.

Disqualification: A short-legged dog whose proportions vary significantly from the 10:9 ratio lacks breed type and must be disqualified.

CHARACTERISTICS - The American Hairless Terrier is an energetic, alert dog whose curiosity and intelligence make him easy to train. The American Hairless Terrier has sometimes been described as having a dual personality. He is a fearless, tenacious hunter with seemingly unlimited energy. When he is not hunting, however, the American Hairless Terrier is an exceptionally friendly companion, getting along well with children, other dogs, and even cats. American Hairless Terriers enjoy human companionship immensely and will enthusiastically share any activity with their owners. American Hairless Terriers should not be sparred during conformation judging.

HEAD - The head is proportionate to the size of the body. When viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are of equal length and joined by a moderate stop. Viewed from the front and the side, the American Hairless Terrier's head forms a blunt wedge shape.

Fault: Abrupt stop

SKULL - The skull is broad and slightly domed. It tapers slightly toward the muzzle. The jaws are powerful with well-muscled cheeks.

Serious fault: Apple head

MUZZLE - The muzzle is well filled-out under the eyes, well chiseled, and tapers slightly from the stop to the nose. Jaws are powerful and hinged well back allowing the dog to open his mouth wide enough to catch rats and other rodents. Lips are dry and tight with no flews. Lip pigment matches nose pigment.

Fault: Snipey muzzle.

TEETH - The American Hairless Terrier has a complete set of good-sized, evenly spaced, white teeth. A scissors bite is preferred but level bite is acceptable.

Faults: Missing teeth, overshot or undershot bite.

NOSE - The nose is black or self-colored.

Faults: Dudley or butterfly nose.

EYES - Eyes are set obliquely and are round, small and somewhat prominent. Eye rim pigment matches nose pigment. Lack of eye rim pigment is not to be penalized.

Faults: Bulgy eyes; deep-set eyes; light-colored eyes in a dog with black coat color or black pigment; both eyes not of matching colors; eye with iris containing more than one color; wall or china eye.

EARS - Ears are V-shaped, set at the outside edges of the skull. Matching ears are strongly preferred. Non-matching ear carriage should be penalized to the degree of the variation.

Note: Ear carriage may not stabilize until a dog is mature. Dogs under one year of age should not be penalized for variations in ear carriage.

Erect ears are preferred but tipped or button ears are acceptable.

Faults: Erect ears with the sides curved inward forming a shape like a tulip petal; rose ears; flying ears; non-matching ear carriages.

Disqualification: Hanging ears.

NECK- The neck is clean, moderately long, muscular, slightly arched, and tapers slightly from the shoulders to the head. The neck blends smoothly into well-laid back shoulders.

FOREQUARTERS - Shoulders are smoothly muscled. The shoulder blades are well laid back with the upper tips fairly close together at the withers. The upper arm appears to be equal in length to the shoulder blade and joins it at an apparent right angle. The elbows are close to the body. Viewed from any angle, the forelegs are straight, strong, and sturdy in bone. The pasterns are strong, short, and nearly vertical.

BODY - A properly proportioned American Hairless Terrier is slightly longer (measured from prosternum to point of buttocks) than tall (measured from the withers to the ground), and length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) should approximately equal one-half of the dog's height. Whether the dog is standing or moving, the line of the back is strong and level. The loin is moderately short, slightly arched, and smoothly muscled, with moderate tuck-up. The croup is slightly sloping. The ribs extend well back and are well sprung out from the spine, forming a broad, strong back, then curving down and inward to form a deep body. The brisket extends to or just below the elbow. Viewed from the front, the chest between the forelegs is well filled and of moderate width. Viewed from the side, the forechest extends in a shallow oval shape in front of the forelegs.

HINDQUARTERS - The hindquarters are smoothly muscled with the length of the upper and lower thighs being approximately equal. The angulation of the hindquarters is in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. The stifles are well bent, and the hocks are well let down. When the dog is standing, the short, strong rear pasterns are perpendicular to the ground and, viewed from the rear, parallel to one another.

FEET - The feet are compact and slightly oval in shape. The two middle toes are slightly longer than the other toes. Toes may be well split up but not flat or splayed. Front dewclaws may be removed. Rear dew claws must be removed.

Faults: Flat feet; splayed feet; rear dew claws present.

TAIL - The tail is set on at the end of the croup. The natural tail is thick at the base and tapers toward the tip. When the dog is alert, the tail is carried in an upward curve. When relaxed, the tail may be carried straight out behind the dog. A natural tail is strongly preferred.

Serious fault: A docked or natural bobtail.

Coated Carriers: The tail may be docked, natural or a natural bob, with the natural bob being less desirable.

Faults: Bent tail, ringtail.

COAT - American Hairless Terrier puppies are born with a soft, vestigial down that generally covers the body. This "down" gradually diminishes until age 6 to 8 weeks, by which time the pup is generally completely hairless. A mature American Hairless Terrier is free from hair except for whiskers and guard hairs on the muzzle, and eyebrows. Short, very fine (vellus) hair may be present on the body of a mature dog. The skin is smooth and warm to the touch. The American Hairless Terrier may sweat when overheated or stressed, but this is not to be faulted in the ring.

The coated carrier has a normal rat terrier-like coat.

Faults: coat

Disqualifications: Wire or broken coat; long coat.

COLOR - Any skin color or pattern is acceptable. A good American Hairless Terrier can be no bad color.

Disqualification: Albinism, merle

HEIGHT AND WEIGHT - American Hairless Terriers range in size from 10 inches tall to 18 inches tall, with the average being from 11 inches to 15 inches.

Faults: Height under 10 inches and over 18 inches; obesity.

GAIT - The American Hairless Terrier moves with a jaunty air that suggests agility, speed, and power. American Hairless Terrier gait is smooth and effortless, with good reach of forequarters without any trace of hackney gait. Rear quarters have strong driving power, with hocks fully extending. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward the centerline of balance.

DISQUALIFICATIONS - Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Unilateral or bilateral deafness. A short-legged dog whose proportions vary significantly from the 10:9 ratio. Hanging ears. Wire or broken coat. Long coat. Albinism. Merle.

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