Old Danish Pointer vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison

Old Danish Pointer vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed ComparisonAmerican Hairless Terrier is originated from United States but Old Danish Pointer is originated from Denmark. American Hairless Terrier may grow 15 cm / 5 inches shorter than Old Danish Pointer. American Hairless Terrier may weigh 23 kg / 50 pounds lesser than Old Danish Pointer. Both American Hairless Terrier and Old Danish Pointer has almost same life span. Both American Hairless Terrier and Old Danish Pointer has almost same litter size. Both American Hairless Terrier and Old Danish Pointer requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Working dog
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United States
Denmark
Height Male:
18 - 45 cm
7 - 18 inches
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Height Female:
16 - 40 cm
6 - 16 inches
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 12 kg
6 - 27 pounds
26 - 35 kg
57 - 78 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 10 kg
4 - 23 pounds
26 - 35 kg
57 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
4 - 6
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
AHT, American Hairless Rat Terrier
Old Danish Chicken Dog
Colors Available:
variety of colors and patterns (blue, black, brown, pink, sable and tan) with white
freckling, White with reddish brown patches
Coat:
hairless, coated variety has a short dense coat
Smooth and short haired
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Lively, Loving, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

american hairless terrierDerived from the Rat Terrier, the American Hairless Terrier was born in a litter of Rat Terriers in 1972.

The evolution of this breed is very different from other hairless breeds. The American Hairless Terrier was independently developed when a hairless pup was produced in a litter of normal Rat Terriers. The owners of this pup, Edwin and Willie Scott attempted to breed her to other Rat terriers but were not successful in having another hairless pup until years later. Then they had a litter with one male and one female hairless puppy.

From that point on they worked with a veterinarian and a geneticist to develop the breed until it was accepted as a separate breed from the Rat Terrier in 2004 and accepted into the AKC in 2016.

The breed is very rare and with hairless dogs breeding only produces about two thirds of the litter as hairless and one third as coated. If a hairless is bred to a coated terrier, the chances of getting hairless puppies are 50% hairless and 50% coated. It is very rare to get a hairless when breed two coated terriers. The difference between the American Hairless Terrier and other hairless breeds is that the hairless gene in most breed is a lethal dominant gene, but in the AHT it is a recessive gene.

old danish pointerHailing from Denmark, the Old Danish Pointer originates back to 1710 and has been used as a pointing breed for finding game.

Today they are essentially used as pet companions. Morten Bak mated local farm dogs with gypsy breeds, leading to the development of piebald purebred dogs. These were named Old Danish Pointers.

Description

american hairless terrier puppy - descriptionThe American Hairless Terrier is similar to it’s breed of origin, the Rat Terrier, and the coated AHT looks very much like a Rat Terrier. They are small to medium in size, very muscular and have more refined features than the Rat Terrier. Their round eyes can be a variety of colors including amber, brown, grey, turquoise and blue. The tail is not docked but rather long and thin.

The AHT might have eyebrows and whiskers or they might only have whiskers. Their head is broad, and wedge shaped with upright ears. They are an energetic, social and intelligent dog.

old danish pointer puppy - descriptionThe Old Danish Pointer is a medium-sized, purebred dog standing at between 50 and 60cm in height and weighing between 26 and 35kg.

This beautiful dog is muscular and lean with a broad head, floppy ears and a long thin tail. The coat is smooth and short haired and is white with large reddish brown patches as well as some freckling.He is an average shedding dog.

He has dark brown eyes. He is amicable and gets on well with children in the home as well as with other dogs. Even so, it is best to have him trained and socialized as he becomes obedient and more amicable than he already is. If you decide to go in for breeding your dog, you can expect 4 to 6 puppies.

Temperament:

Quiet, calm and steady, the Danish Pointer is also stubborn, and this is why training and socialization is so important for him.

Outdoors and perhaps on a hunt he becomes highly animated and alive, but back home with his family he is a calm, loving, devoted family pet and loves spending time with his human family. He forms a close bond with his human owner and when he is well trained, he likes to please his owner.

He is intelligent too and finds learning new things easy.

Characteristics

american hairless terrier dog - characteristicsThis is a curious, intelligent, little dog. They are terrific family dogs with a note to say they are better with older children than with younger. If they are raised with small children, then they are terrific with them. They are territorial, and the children become part of their territory. They will guard and protect them.

They need to play, and this is the biggest requirement for owners. Be sure you have time for them. This is not a couch potato dog. They have a lot of energy and can be destructive and “barky” if that energy is not dissipated. They are terriers through and through and love to “go to ground” whether going in holes they find or digging the holes themselves. They will go after small rodents like chipmunks. They need to be protected in these activities since their skin is vulnerable to scratches and cuts from brush. Their prey drive is strong, so it is important to protect them from themselves in this respect.

They are curious and feisty and every inch the terrier. Affectionate, friendly, and social it is also important to remember they can be scared easily, hurt if play is too rough, and this will trigger barking. They make very good watch dogs.

old danish pointer dog - characteristicsNot only is the Old Danish Pointing Dog an excellent hunter, he is also friendly and loving when he is just being a pet.

These dogs are quiet, amicable pets enjoying the time they spend with their human family. He is low maintenance, he gets on well with children and other pets and he doesn’t spend his time barking endlessly at nothing.

When you take this well mannered, quiet, loving dog into your home, you can be prepared to have up to 14 brilliant years of companionship from him.

Health Problems

american hairless terrier puppies - health problemsThere are not many health problems bothering this sturdy little dog.

The American Hairless Terrier has limited breeding stock and it is still a rare breed. Its health problems are mostly related to its hairless state. The breed is highly susceptible to sunburn, rashes, pimples, and allergies. They often need clothing in all seasons to protect them from the heat of the sun or from the cold. The skin must be cleaned regularly often daily with soap and water. This is especially true if sunscreen is used as they are open to skin infections.

Hip dysplasia is also a common issue for this small breed.

old danish pointer puppies - health problemsThe Old Danish Pointer is a healthy dog and you’re not likely to be spending too much time at the vet with him.

However there are always dog illnesses that you need to look out for, and hip dysplasia is always on the top of the list.

Hip Dysplasia:

While this disease is more prevalent in larger dogs, it can strike smaller dogs too, and in fact dogs of any age. This is a condition where the hip joint doesn’t form properly, so that arthritis and inflammation sets in. It is very sad as you notice your once active dog becoming increasingly immobilized with pain and discomfort.

Eye and Ear Infections:

Eye infections can include entropion and ectropion – conditions where the eyelids irritate the surface of the eye.

Ear infections too, can cause your pet a lot of distress and he will shake his head and scratch his ears. Inside the ears, it will be red and possibly there will be a discharge. This is also more prevalent among dogs with floppy ears. The idea is to try and keep the inside of the ears clean and dry.

Caring The Pet

american hairless terrier dogs - caringThe American Hairless Terrier has some food needs that might be different from other breeds. They should not be given food that contains soy, wheat or corn. They need to be fed at least 3-4 times a day in small amounts as puppies and twice a day as adult. Be sure to avoid overeating and obesity. Puppies need about 400 calories a day whether you feed four times or two times. The adult American Hairless Terrier needs about 500-600 calories per day. This might be half a cup to a cup per day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the American Hairless Terrier has skin health issues and is also prone to hip dysplasia.

Exercise and games

This is a great breed for games if you make them small to match his size. He is energetic, athletic and playful. He loves agility, lure chasing and barn hunt activities. They need a good half hour of vigorous exercise per day.

Grooming:

old danish pointer dogs - caringWith his short coat, the Old Danish Pointer is looked upon as a low maintenance breed. You can brush him twice a week and at the same time check him over for fleas and ticks, ear and eye infections as well as dental infections.

Check his nails too, as many dogs have been injured when their long nails have hooked onto things and ripped open the flesh. When he gets used to it, your pet will find these grooming sessions therapeutic and relaxing, loving the bonding time you spend with him.

Exercise:

Your beautiful Old Danish Pointer loves to spend time outdoors and he is far better suited to life in the countryside and in the suburbs as opposed to life in the city. Give him the chance to take part in a hunt, and he’ll relish it. He also loves long walks where he can even perhaps be let off the leash as well as the chance to go swimming. He is at his happiest when he is tired at the end of the day from hiking, running, swimming and camping.

Diet:

You can conveniently feed your Old Danish Pointer from the top quality commercially manufactured foods. Just be sure to check the labeling as you want to be sure he gets in the right amount of vitamins and minerals and avoids those foods high in colorants, preservatives and useless fillers.

Keep your dog’s diet simple and nutritious and try to add in some homemade food to his kibble from time to time. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots will keep him healthy and active. You can also try to include some raw meat occasionally.

Make sure he always has access to cool, fresh drinking water.

Comparison with other breeds

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  28. American Hairless Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. American Hairless Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. American Hairless Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. American Hairless Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. American Hairless Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. American Hairless Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. American Hairless Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. American Hairless Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. American Hairless Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. American Hairless Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. American Hairless Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. American Hairless Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. American Hairless Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. American Hairless Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. American Hairless Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. American Hairless Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. American Hairless Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. American Hairless Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. American Hairless Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. American Hairless Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. American Hairless Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. American Hairless Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. American Hairless Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison