American Hairless Terrier American Water Spaniel Mix

The American Hairless Terrier American Water Spaniel Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the American Hairless Terrier and the American Water Spaniel. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The American Hairless Terrier is known for being lively, inquisitive, and intelligent. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the American Hairless Terrier or the American Water Spaniel? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful American Hairless Terrier American Water Spaniel Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their American Hairless Terrier American Water Spaniel Mix puppy. That is, if they have any American Hairless Terrier American Water Spaniel Mix puppies for sale.

If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals.

American Hairless Terrier American Water Spaniel Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

American Hairless Terrier History

The American Hairless Terrier started in 1972 from one hairless female puppy in a litter of Rat Terriers. This one lone dog, named Josephine had pink skin with large black spots. She was actually given away out of the litter. Being that she was hairless and didn’t shed, the Scotts (who now had adopted the puppy), went on to breed her. Her offspring was originally registered as a hairless variety of Rat Terrier. Many American Hairless Terriers are still born with a coat, recognised as a coated variety. This breed went on to be recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2004 and the American Kennel Club in 2016. The breed still continues to this day and comes in two sizes, miniature and standard. All of this breeding was done with careful outcroppings with the Rat Terrier. If you are wondering about the Rat Terrier, they were originally bred to hunt Rats and other vermin. People would actually place wagers on them and use them as a way to place bets. However, the original breeding was done for practical purposes - to keep rats out of barns.

American Water Spaniel History

The American Water Spaniel was bred and created in the Fox and Wolf River valleys of Wisconsin throughout the middle of the 19th century. The American Water Spaniel ancestors consist of the Irish Water Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, Field Spaniel, and the now-extinct Old English Water Spaniel.
The American Water Spaniel was bred to be a dynamic hunting dog. Their coat, which is dense and curly works to protect them from cold water as well as rough plants in the woods, they are natural swimmers. Being that they aren’t that big, their size makes it easy travel with.
As larger retriever breeds became more popular than the AWS, this gal started to fall out of favor. Doctor F. J. Pfeifer of New London, Wisconsin, is given the credit of saving them from not being around anymore. He created their standard and bred and sold them. They were recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1920 and the American Kennel Club in 1940. A dog by the name of "Curly Pfeifer," was the first registered dog.

American Hairless Terrier American Water Spaniel Mix Size and Weight

American Hairless Terrier
Height: 12 - 16 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 10 - 16 lb.
Lifespan: 14 - 16years

American Water Spaniel
Height: 15 - 18 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 25 - 45 lb.
Lifespan: 13 - 15 years

American Hairless Terrier American Water Spaniel Mix Personality

The American Hairless Terrier and the American Water Spaniel are known for being courageous and protective. They are also very loving dogs. This dog will require a very strong and firm owner who makes sure to assert that they are the alpha and not the dog. They are cautious, yet non-threatening with strangers, and are affectionate towards family and children. Early socialization helps take care of any bad habits that could develop. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. Don’t plan on leaving her alone for long periods as he won’t do well alone. She wants to be with the “pack.”

American Hairless Terrier American Water Spaniel Mix Health

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The American Hairless Terrier mixed with the American Water Spaniel might be prone to joint dysplasia, patellar luxation, allergies, epilepsy, dental, deafness, liver shunt, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

American Hairless Terrier American Water Spaniel Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

American Hairless Terrier American Water Spaniel Mix Feeding

"A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

American Hairless Terrier Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in