American Hairless Terrier Australian Shepherd Mix

The American Hairless Terrier Australian Shepherd Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the American Hairless Terrier and the Australian Shepherd. 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 Australian Shepherd? 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd Mix puppy. That is, if they have any American Hairless Terrier Australian Shepherd Mix puppies for sale.

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American Hairless Terrier Australian Shepherd 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.

Australian Shepherd History

The Australian Shepherd has a rather vague past and lineage. For this reason, it’s name is a bit misleading. The Aussie was actually called the following prior to it’s current name - Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog, Bob-Tail, New Mexican Shepherd, California Shepherd, and Australian Shepherd. There are a lot of folks who think that the breed originated from the Basque region in Spain where they were used by shepherds. The thought is that those shepherds emigrated to the West Coast of the United States via Australia and brought their dogs with them. While the origins aren’t totally agreed upon, there is agreement that it developed in western North America in the 19th and early 20th centuries. One theory as to where they got their name is that they were named for the imported sheep that they herded.
The Australian Shepherd isn’t as affected by altitude as much as other herding breeds so it became a well known and loved sheep herder in the Rocky Mountains. The original breeders were Ranchers in Boulder, Colorado, who then began to sell and distribute the dogs all over the West.
Back when dogs such as this were used primarily as working stock, shepherds were much more interested in dogs' working abilities than their appearance. As a result, over time, shepherds interbred dogs that they believed would produce better workers for the given climate and landscape. The landscape played a large role in how the dogs looked, In the eastern U.S., terrain and weather conditions were similar to that of Europe. Europe is where most of those breeds came from, so the existing breeds and their offspring worked well there.
However, different dogs were needed In the American West, as the conditions were much different from the East. Spanish flocks of sheep, known as the Churra were introduced for food. The shepherds brought over Spanish dogs that proved capable for their job in the wild and dangerous territory. These dogs were highly valued for their ability to herd and protect from predators on the open range. Selective breeding for many generations focused on aspects of the dog that enabled it to function as an effective stockdog in the American West. It had to handle severe weather; have plenty of speed, athleticism, energy, and endurance; and be intelligent, flexible, and independent; while remaining obedient.

American Hairless Terrier Australian Shepherd Mix Size and Weight

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

Australian Shepherd
Height: 18 - 23 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 35 - 75 lb.
Lifespan: 13-15 years

American Hairless Terrier Australian Shepherd Mix Personality

The American Hairless Terrier and the Australian Shepherd might be a little bit spunky. They can be an inquisitive little fella so keep on the lookout for that behavior! All dogs need attention and don't want to be left alone. That's why you have a pet, right? Plan on putting forth effort to socialize her as this will reap dividends in the long run. Please use always use positive reinforcement even though they can have a mind of their own. Enjoy being with your new mixed breed and love the relationship you will have with them.

American Hairless Terrier Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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