Terrier Small size 5-7 kg

American Hairless Terrier

A lively, hairless terrier that is affectionate and low-shedding but needs skin protection from sun and cold and firm training.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Small
Size
5-7 kg · 30-41 cm
High
Exercise needs
High; needs a solid hour or more each day
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with a normal workday if eased in
Trainable
Training
Eager and responsive to training
Wash-and-go
Coat care
No coat, but skin needs sun and cold care
Good
Fit with kids
Good, patient family dog
Moderate
Other pets
Usually fine with early socialization
Moderate
Health burden
Obesity, Luxating Patella

The American Hairless Terrier typically weighs 5-7 kg, stands 30-41 cm, and lives 12-16 years.

Consider this breed if…

allergies rule out most dogs and you want the closest thing to a low-allergen terrier,
you want real terrier personality - alert, playful, busy - in a small indoor-friendly dog,
you can commit to sunscreen, sweaters and skin checks as part of routine care,
you enjoy training and games; this is a quick, eager little worker.

Do not consider this breed if…

the dog would spend long hours outdoors - bare skin burns in summer and chills fast in winter,
you keep hamsters, rats or other small pets; the rat-hunting ancestry is very much alive,
you assume hairless means zero upkeep - skin care replaces coat care, it does not disappear,
you want a quiet, sedate lapdog; this is an energetic terrier that needs an outlet.

A typical day with a American Hairless Terrier

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Brisk walk; sweater on in cold, sunscreen in summer
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Burrows into blankets for a warm nap
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short play session, puzzle feeder
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Trick training or fetch - 15 lively minutes
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Zoomies, then velcro time on a warm lap
  6. 21:30 · Night
    Under the covers, pressed against someone

Temperament and training

Playfulness Very high
Prey drive High
Trainability High
Alertness High
Affection Very high
Independence Low
Common owner mistakes
Skipping sun protection because "it's just a short walk" · Letting terrier bossiness slide because the dog is small and cute · Underestimating exercise needs - hairless does not mean low-energy

Family and environment

Kids Good
Playful and sturdy for its size; teach gentle handling of bare skin.
Dogs Conditional
Fine with matched playmates; can be scrappy with big pushy dogs.
Cats Conditional
Works when raised together; small fleeing animals trigger chase.
Apartment Suitable
Good size and no shedding; daily exercise still required.
House with a yard Suitable
Supervise sun exposure and secure the fence - terriers dig.
City Manages well
Portable and adaptable with enough daily activity.
Countryside Conditional
Loves it, but sun, cold and wildlife need managing.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Obesity Control the diet and keep weight in check
Luxating Patella Watch for a skipping gait; may need surgery
Dental Disease Routine dental care and cleanings needed
Skin Issues / Sunburn Bare skin needs sun protection and rash checks

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Close ancestry, same lively size with a coat
Toy Fox Terrier
A true terrier squeezed into a toy body - clever, trainable, and entertaining, but fragile enough that rough kids and cold winters are real problems.
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The other small hairless companion option
Chinese Crested
A tiny, affectionate companion in hairless and coated types - devoted and apartment-friendly, but needs skin care and dislikes being left alone.
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Hairless as well, calmer and more primitive
Xoloitzcuintli
An ancient, calm hairless breed that bonds closely and lives long - no fur does not mean no care, and its watchful, primitive streak needs early socialization.
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Frequently asked questions

How much does an American Hairless Terrier cost?
This is a rare breed with a small breeder base, so expect waitlists and possibly travel. Well-bred puppies typically run $1,200-$2,500 in the US. Over a 12-16 year life, food, routine vet care, dental work and skin care commonly add $12,000-$18,000 or more - small dogs cost less to feed but live long.
Is the American Hairless Terrier hypoallergenic?
It is one of the better choices for allergy sufferers because there is no coat to shed dander-carrying hair, but no dog is truly hypoallergenic - allergens live in saliva and skin, not just fur. Spend time with an adult of the breed before buying; reactions vary person to person.
How do you protect a hairless dog's skin?
Dog-safe sunscreen or a UV shirt for summer sun, a sweater or coat below roughly 10 C, and regular checks for scrapes, dryness and rashes. Baths are quick but should stay infrequent and mild to avoid stripping skin oils. It is a small, cheap routine - but it is non-negotiable, every season, for life.
Is the American Hairless Terrier good for first-time owners?
Reasonable, with eyes open. It is small, biddable and eager to please by terrier standards, which helps beginners. But it still brings terrier energy, alarm barking and prey drive, plus the skin-care routine. First-timers who commit to training classes and daily exercise generally do fine.