The American Hairless Terrier is the only hairless breed developed in the United States. It began in 1972 in Louisiana, when a hairless puppy named Josephine was born into a litter of coated Rat Terriers, and her descendants founded a new breed that the AKC recognized in 2016. Hairless puppies are born with fuzz that falls out within weeks, while a coated variety has a short, smooth coat.
These small, muscular terriers are often curious, alert and playful, with a ratting ancestor's zest for chasing and digging. Many are affectionate and quick to learn with reward-based training, though every dog differs. Living with a hairless dog means planning for skin care, including sunscreen or shirts outdoors, sweaters in cold weather and regular baths. In Denver, that means thinking about both sunny afternoons and freezing nights.