American Hairless Terrier Dogs for Adoption in Minneapolis, MN

Your guide to finding and caring for an American Hairless Terrier in Minneapolis

An American Hairless Terrier suits a Loring Park apartment better than you might expect for a dog with this much energy. It's small, so a lap around the park's little lake and a game of fetch indoors cover a lot of ground, and the fenced dog run in the park's north corner is right there. The catch is skin: with no coat, a sweater is part of the routine from November through March, and that's the one thing to budget for.

9752 dogs similar to American Hairless Terrier available in Minneapolis and nationwide

Find your American Hairless Terrier

American Hairless Terriers and Similar Breeds Available for Adoption Near Minneapolis

About the American Hairless Terrier 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 the breed, which the AKC recognized in 2016. Puppies are born with fuzz that falls out within weeks, while the coated variety has a short, smooth coat.

These small, muscular terriers are curious, alert and playful, with their ratting ancestors' zest for chasing and digging, and many learn quickly with reward-based training. Most weigh 12 to 28 pounds. Living with one in Minneapolis means planning for skin: sunscreen in summer, sweaters through the long winter and regular baths, in exchange for very little hair on the furniture. Dogs vary, so expect a range.

Weight
12–28 lbs
Height
12–16 in
Lifespan
13–16 yrs
Temperament
Energetic, Alert, Curious, Intelligent
Group
Terrier
Shedding
Low

Owning an American Hairless Terrier in Minneapolis

Having an American Hairless Terrier in Minneapolis

This terrier pairs real energy with skin that needs the protection fur usually gives. In Minneapolis, the long cold season and bright summer sun matter as much as walks, so the right home can handle both.

Temperament

Many American Hairless Terriers are affectionate, curious and alert, and they tend to bark at new sounds, which matters in apartment hallways. Terrier prey drive can send them after squirrels, so a leash is wise on lake paths. Each dog is different, so watch how the dog handles noise, other pets and time alone.

Exercise Needs

Plan on a daily walk plus active play such as fetch, tug or puzzle games. A lap around one of the city's lakes makes a good outing. In winter, shorter walks in a sweater with indoor play filling the gap work well, and in summer, early mornings are the coolest time to head out.

Health Considerations

Bare skin can sunburn, dry out, get scraped or develop blocked pores, so check it regularly. Patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease and allergies are reported in the breed, and a veterinarian can check joints and skin at a first visit. Minnesota's tick season is another reason for routine parasite prevention and skin checks after walks.

Living Space

A small American Hairless Terrier fits Minneapolis apartments and bungalows alike, as long as it gets daily exercise. It can't live outdoors, so it needs a warm indoor bed away from drafts, especially in winter. A fenced yard helps for dogs that dig or chase, though most city walks happen on leash.

What it costs to own an American Hairless Terrier in Minneapolis

ExpenseTypical costPer 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*$440 to $1,390 per year$440 to $1,390
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$1,300 to $3,170

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* The $30 Minneapolis license for a spayed or neutered dog, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, baths and skin care, and sunscreen, shirts and sweaters for a hairless dog.

Adopt an American Hairless Terrier in Minneapolis.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have dogs available in and near Minneapolis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, with a coat on. Minneapolis winters are long, with about 72 days a year that never get above freezing and some nights below zero, and a hairless dog loses heat quickly. Plan on a warm sweater or coat, short trips outside, wiped paws after salted sidewalks and a warm indoor bed. Coated dogs of the breed may cope somewhat better but still need layers.

Yes, in a carrier. Metro Transit buses and light rail allow pets only inside a carrier, and leashed dogs aren't allowed to board, so a small American Hairless Terrier that fits comfortably in one can travel. Choose a carrier with room to turn around and add a warm layer in winter, since stops and platforms get cold. Service animals follow separate rules.

Start with the Chain of Lakes loops, such as Lake Harriet at 2.75 miles, and Minnehaha Regional Park, whose paved trails stay open in winter. Hairless skin scratches easily, so favor clear paths over brushy trails. Dogs must be leashed in park board parks outside off-leash dog parks and aren't allowed on beaches or in the lakes.

Yes. Minneapolis has no breed-specific rules, and Minnesota law bars cities from regulating dangerous dogs by breed alone. Any dog over four months old needs a city license, which requires a current rabies vaccination. Without a multiple-animal permit, a household can keep up to three dogs, and four pets in total.

Yes, an American Hairless Terrier is small enough for most Minneapolis apartments, and with little hair to shed it keeps a unit tidy. The main needs are daily walks, play and a warm spot, since drafty floors are hard on bare skin. Terriers often bark at hallway noise, so teach a quiet cue early and get your landlord's approval first.

It can be, if you'll commit to the routine. A good match walks daily, keeps a few sweaters ready for the long cold season and is home enough for a people-loving terrier. If you travel often or dislike dressing a dog for weather, a coated American Hairless Terrier or another small breed from the similar breeds on this page may suit better.

Sometimes, on patios only. Minneapolis lets restaurants opt in to dog-friendly outdoor areas under a 2008 ordinance, and each restaurant decides. Dogs must stay leashed, on the ground and off furniture, and indoor areas are off-limits except for service animals. Bring a sweater on cool spring and fall evenings and sun protection in summer.

Very little grooming, but regular skin care. A hairless dog has no coat to brush, so plan on gentle baths every few weeks, moisturizer if skin dries out from heated indoor air in winter, and sunscreen in summer. A coated dog needs only an occasional brush. Baths and skin care are small items under the Other costs.

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.

Food runs about $20 to $45 a month and pet insurance about $35 to $70 a month. Routine vet care is roughly $200 to $400 a year, and other yearly costs of about $440 to $1,390 cover the license, parasite prevention, dental care, skin care and sun and winter clothing.