American Hairless Terrier Dogs for Adoption in Denver, CO

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

American Hairless Terriers suit Denver's apartment neighborhoods, as long as they own a good sweater for winter mornings. A small terrier like this does well in a Capitol Hill condo or one of the high-rises around Cheesman Park, where a couple of brisk walks and a sofa to burrow into cover most of the day. In the Central Park neighborhood, which was designed for walking, evening laps are easy. Expect a curious, busy dog who'll want a game of fetch before bed.

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

Find your American Hairless Terrier

American Hairless Terriers and Similar Breeds Available for Adoption Near Denver

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 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.

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 Denver

Having an American Hairless Terrier in Denver

This terrier pairs real energy with skin that needs the protection fur usually provides. How its activity level and sensitivity to sun and cold fit Denver's weather and housing is worth weighing before adopting, since each dog's needs vary.

Temperament

Many American Hairless Terriers are affectionate, playful and closely bonded to their families, and they often do well with respectful children. They tend to bark at unfamiliar sounds, which matters in Denver's apartment buildings, and may chase squirrels or cats. Most respond well to positive training, though terrier independence can show up.

Exercise Needs

Plan on daily walks plus active play such as fetch, tug or sniffing games. In Denver, leashed loops at places like Washington Park or along the Cherry Creek Trail work well, and puzzle feeders fill snowy or stormy days. Bare skin scrapes and burns easily, so pack sun protection in summer and a warm layer when it is cold.

Health Considerations

Hairless skin can sunburn, dry out, develop blocked pores or get scraped, so routine skin checks and gentle baths matter. Patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease and allergies are among conditions reported in the breed, and coated dogs avoid most skin problems. A veterinarian can check joints, skin and teeth at a first visit.

Living Space

A small American Hairless Terrier suits Denver apartments and condos as well as houses with yards, provided exercise and play needs are met. Hairless dogs can't live outdoors, so they need a warm indoor spot. Many chase small animals or dig, so a fenced yard should be secure.

What it costs to own an American Hairless Terrier in Denver

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 Denver dog license ($15 for one year or $40 for three), flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, baths and skin care, and sunscreen, shirts and sweaters.

Adopt an American Hairless Terrier in Denver.

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

Rescues and Shelters in or near Denver

Denver's adoptable dogs come from a city animal shelter and nonprofit rescues, and the ones listed here are below. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Denver area with dogs available for adoption, worth asking whether an American Hairless Terrier is coming in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, with planning. Denver winter afternoons usually warm into the mid-40s, but nights freeze often and a hairless dog loses heat fast. Plan on a sweater or coat for every outing, booties or paw wipes after salt and ice, and short potty trips on the coldest days. Coated dogs generally cope somewhat better.

Yes, a small American Hairless Terrier can thrive in a Denver apartment if it gets daily walks and play. Many bark at hallway sounds, and Denver's ordinance covers loud, persistent barking, so train quiet habits early. Give the dog a warm bed away from drafty windows, since hairless skin chills easily.

Yes. Denver requires dogs over 6 months to be spayed or neutered unless the owner holds an intact permit, and a household can have up to five dogs and cats combined, no more than three of them dogs. The city's breed-specific rules cover pit bull–type breeds, not American Hairless Terriers.

For leashed walks, Washington Park, City Park, the Cherry Creek Trail and the High Line Canal all offer room to roam. Outside fenced dog parks, Denver requires leashes everywhere. Bring dog-safe sunscreen or a shirt for sunny stretches, and keep the dog on pavement or smooth paths where brush could scrape bare skin.

Only in a carrier. RTD allows pets on its buses and trains only when they're small and in a carrier, and service animals are the exception. A smaller American Hairless Terrier may fit one, but a dog near the top of the breed's 12 to 28 pound range may not.

Sometimes, on patios only. Denver restaurants can choose to allow leashed dogs on qualifying patios, but never indoors. Dogs must stay off seats and tables and away from food service areas, and staff can't touch them. Look for posted signs, and bring a sweater for cool evenings or shade for hot afternoons.

Not much hair care, but regular skin care. Many hairless dogs need a gentle bath every week or two, with moisturizer if Denver's dry air leaves skin flaky, plus dog-safe sunscreen outdoors. Coated dogs need only a quick weekly wipe or brushing. Baths at home keep costs inside the Other budget above.

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.

American Hairless Terriers make good watchdogs but not guard dogs. Many are alert and will bark at visitors or unusual sounds, and they can be protective of their people. Their small size and generally friendly nature mean they are not suited to protection work. Early socialization helps keep that alertness from turning into excessive barking or suspicion of guests.

Plan on roughly $1,300 to $3,200 a year for an American Hairless Terrier in Denver. That covers food at $20 to $45 a month, insurance at $35 to $70 a month, routine vet care at $200 to $400 a year, and $440 to $1,390 a year in other costs such as prevention, dental care and skin protection.