Dogs In Review Magazine October 2016 | Page 97

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 94 DOGSinREVIEW.com 1st AHT to earn an AKC Championship (January 10) WudNshu’s Need For Speed (Teri Murphy, Suzy Fox and Rachael Murphy) 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) 1st Hairless AHT to earn an AKC Grand Championship WMK’s Frozen Sky, CM (Karyn and Ryan Pingel, and Phyllis Lambert)