Your guide to finding and caring for an American Hairless Terrier in Honolulu
An American Hairless Terrier fits easily into Honolulu's smaller homes, from a Salt Lake condo to a Kaimukī bungalow. At 12 to 28 pounds, it's simple to carry through an elevator and content with a couple of brisk walks and a game of tug. The catch is the sun: with no coat, its skin needs shade or a sun shirt even on a short stroll. A coated one skips most of that. Expect an alert little dog who announces every visitor in the hallway.
Find your American Hairless Terrier
M, 7 y., 17 miles
Terrier
F, 3 y., 17 miles
Terrier, Mixed Breed
F, 1 y., 17 miles
Terrier
F, 8 mo., 17 miles
Terrier
M, 8 mo., 17 miles
Terrier
F, 6 y., 17 miles
Terrier
M, 2 y., 17 miles
Terrier
M, 7 mo., 17 miles
Chihuahua, Terrier
M, 1 y., 2914 miles
Terrier, Shih Tzu, Brussels Griffon
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 3977 miles
Terrier, Mixed Breed
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 became the foundation of a new breed the AKC recognized in 2016. Hairless puppies are born with fuzz that falls out within weeks, while the coated variety has a short, smooth coat.
These small, muscular terriers are often curious, alert and playful, with the same zest for chasing and digging as their ratting ancestors. Many are affectionate and quick to learn with reward-based training. Living with a hairless dog means planning for skin care, including sunscreen or shirts outdoors and regular baths, in exchange for very little hair on the furniture. Dogs vary, so each one's energy and sensitivity can differ.
Having an American Hairless Terrier in Honolulu
An American Hairless Terrier pairs real terrier energy with skin that needs the care most dogs get from their coat. In Honolulu, sun protection and a sensible walking schedule shape daily routines more than cold ever will.
Many American Hairless Terriers are affectionate, playful and closely attached to their families, and they often get along with respectful children. They tend to bark at unfamiliar sounds, which matters in thin-walled buildings, and may chase geckos, birds or cats. Most respond well to positive training, though terrier independence shows up. A dog's history and comfort with other pets matter most.
Plan on daily walks plus active play such as fetch, tug or sniffing games, and puzzle feeders to occupy a busy mind. In Honolulu, walk early or after sunset, since asphalt and sand stay hot through the afternoon. Use the back-of-your-hand test on pavement, and add sun protection for anything longer than a quick potty break.
Hairless skin can sunburn, dry out, develop blocked pores or get scraped, so routine skin checks and gentle baths matter, especially under Honolulu's strong sun. Patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease and allergies are reported in the breed. Ask a veterinarian about leptospirosis vaccination, and keep dogs out of streams and post-storm puddles.
An American Hairless Terrier's small size suits Honolulu's condos and apartments as well as houses, provided exercise and play needs are met. Because a hairless dog shouldn't live outdoors, it needs a shaded, comfortable indoor spot. In a house, a securely fenced yard helps, since many chase small animals and dig under gaps.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $20 to $45 per month | $240 to $540 |
| Pet insurance | $35 to $70 per month | $420 to $840 |
| Routine vet care | $200 to $400 per year | $200 to $400 |
| Other* | $425 to $1,350 per year | $425 to $1,350 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,285 to $3,130 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, baths and skin care, and sunscreen and sun shirts; Honolulu has no dog license fee.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have dogs available in and near Honolulu.
Oʻahu's shelters and rescues regularly care for small dogs, and the ones below are the groups listed on this page. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Honolulu area with dogs available for adoption, worth asking whether an American Hairless Terrier is coming in.
Yes, as long as the dog fits in a small, closed carrier. TheBus and Skyline allow pets only in a carrier held on your lap or placed under the seat. Many American Hairless Terriers are small enough, but a dog near the 28-pound end of the range may not fit comfortably. Service animals follow separate rules.
Yes, with sun care. Summer highs hover in the upper 80s and nights stay near 75°F, so the risk is strong sun, humidity and hot pavement more than extreme temperatures. A hairless dog needs dog-safe sunscreen or a sun shirt, shade, water and walks before 11 a.m. or after sunset. Coated dogs have an easier time.
Elaine Dobashi Hawaiʻi Kai Dog Park, Kalo Place Mini Park and Kahua O Waikalua offer off-leash room, and Kailua Beach Park allows leashed dogs. For trails, Makiki Valley Loop and Kuliʻouʻou Ridge are leashed-dog hikes, but brush can scratch bare skin, and Makapuʻu has no shade. Diamond Head doesn't allow pets.
Yes. No breed bans are known in Honolulu, and state dangerous-dog law says breed can't be used to decide whether a dog is dangerous. You'll need to microchip your dog and keep the registration current, since the city uses chips instead of licenses. Keep your dog leashed in public and watch barking.
Yes, the breed's small size suits Honolulu apartments and condos. The main issue is noise: this alert terrier barks at hallway sounds, and continuous barking for ten minutes can count as a nuisance. Daily walks, puzzle toys and training reduce it. Check your building's pet rules on size limits before you apply.
It can be, for owners who commit to sun protection and daily exercise. The warm climate means no sweaters, and the dog's size works in condos. But beaches like Waikīkī and Ala Moana ban dogs, and hot afternoons limit walks. Active people with flexible mornings and evenings tend to do best.
Sometimes, on patios only. Since August 2025, Hawaiʻi lets restaurants allow pet dogs in outdoor dining areas if the dog doesn't pass through the interior, and each restaurant chooses whether to participate. Indoor dining rooms stay off-limits. Bring shade-friendly gear and a water bowl, and look for posted signage before sitting.
Very little coat care, but regular skin care. The hairless variety needs gentle baths, moisturizer if the skin dries and sunscreen or a sun shirt year-round in Honolulu's sun. The coated variety needs only occasional brushing. Baths and skin products fall within the Other costs of about $425 to $1,350 a year.
No dog is completely hypoallergenic, but the hairless American Hairless Terrier sheds almost no hair, and many people with mild dog allergies tolerate it well. Allergens also come from dander, saliva and urine, so reactions still vary by person. The coated variety sheds a short coat. Spending time with a specific dog before adopting is the safest test.
Expect roughly $1,285 to $3,130 a year for an American Hairless Terrier in Honolulu, covering food, insurance, routine vet care and other costs. Food runs $20 to $45 a month and insurance $35 to $70. Routine vet care is $200 to $400 a year, and other costs run $425 to $1,350.
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