the dog. The overall appearance is strong but
moderate with firm, smooth, flat muscles.
While correct size is very important, it should
not outweigh that of type. Too heavy or too
light in bone and obesity are to be faulted.
III. Head
The breed is
hairless but
has a coated
counterpart. As
shown here, the
coated variety
is covered with
a short, smooth
and dense coat
that has a sheen.
A wire, broken
or long coat
will disqualify
an AHT from
competition.
The Breed
Standard
I. General Appearance
The American Hairless Terrier is a small to medium sized,
smoothly muscled and active terrier. Ancestors of the breed
were bred to hunt rats and other vermin. The lack of coat on
the hairless variety of the American Hairless Terrier renders
them unsuited for most hunting activities. They have, however, retained a strong hunting instinct and excel in many other
activities and sports. The breed is energetic, alert, curious and
intelligent. Given early socialization and training, they excel as
companions, displaying great affection
for their owners and family. American
Hairless Terriers should not be sparred
during conformation judging.
Expression is alert, curious and intelligent.
Viewed from the front or side, the head forms
a blunt wedge shape and is proportionate
to the size of the body. The skull is broad,
slightly domed and tapers slightly toward the
muzzle. Skull and muzzle are of equal length
with a moderate stop. Muzzle — Muzzle is
well filled under the eyes, tapers slightly from
the stop to the nose and is well-chiseled. Jaws
are powerful with well-muscled cheeks. Lips
are tight, dry, without flews. Pigmentation of
the lips match the nose. Nose — The nose is solid-colored
and can be black or self-colored. Abrupt stop, snipey muzzle
and a dudley or butterfly nose are to be faulted. Serious fault:
Apple head. Eyes — Eyes are expressive, set obliquely, round,
somewhat prominent but moderate in size, and of matching
color. Eye color varies with body color from darkest brown
to amber and hazel. When eyes are brown, a darker brown is
preferred. Amber eyes are permissible for a blue dog. Blue
eyes are acceptable in blue or blue fawn dogs only but gray
is preferred. Eye rim pigmentation corresponds with the nose
color. An incomplete eye rim is only acceptable when the
color around that eye is white. Bite — The teeth are white
and strongly developed, meeting in a scissors bite. A level
bite is acceptable. Overshot or undershot bite should be faulted. Ears — Ears are set at the outside edge of the skull and
V-shaped. Erect ears are preferred, however, tipped or button ears are acceptable. Both ears should match in carriage.
AHT Firsts in the AKC Ring
II. Size, Proportion,
Substance
Ideal height is from 12 to 16 inches at
the withers. Proportion — Body is rectangular being slightly longer than tall
with a 10:9 ratio when measured from
the prosternum to point of buttocks and
from the withers to the ground. Substance — Medium bone, not so heavy as
to appear coarse or so light as to appear
racy and blends with the proportion of
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DOGSinREVIEW.com
1st AHT to earn an AKC Championship (January 10)
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1st Coated AHT to earn an AKC Championship (January 16)
WMK’s That New Journey (Karyn and Ryan Pingel)
1st AHT to earn an AKC Grand Championship
WMK’s That New Journey (Karyn and Ryan Pingel)
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WMK’s Frozen Sky, CM (Karyn and Ryan Pingel, and Phyllis Lambert)