Smooth Collie vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison

Smooth Collie vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed ComparisonSmooth Collie is originated from United Kingdom but American Hairless Terrier is originated from United States. Smooth Collie may grow 11 cm / 5 inches higher than American Hairless Terrier. Smooth Collie may weigh 18 kg / 40 pounds more than American Hairless Terrier. Both Smooth Collie and American Hairless Terrier has almost same life span. Smooth Collie may have more litter size than American Hairless Terrier. Smooth Collie requires Moderate maintenance. But American Hairless Terrier requires Low maintenance

History

smooth collie - historyWhen you see the Smooth Collie you just assume that you’re looking at a long-haired Lassie-type Collie that was sent to the groomers.

The Smooth Collie has always been used for herding purposes and is a short haired version of the Rough Collie. The early history of this dog is unknown and there are quite a few stories surrounding its history.

It seems as though the dog’s history started during the reign of Queen Victoria who is believed to have owned these dogs.

In some countries it is thought that the smooth- and rough collie are one and the same while in other countries they are classified as separate breeds. The dog hails from the United Kingdom and they classify the Smooth Collie as a separate breed from the Rough Collie.

american hairless terrier - historyDerived 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.

Description

smooth collie puppy - descriptionThe Smooth Collie is a medium to large sized dog, ranging in size from 51–56cm and weighing anything from 18kg to 30kg.

The Smooth Collie is slightly longer than it is tall and he has a deep chest. Most people are very familiar with the sweet, gentle expression of the Collie dogs.

The dog also has the long slender head, the semi-erect ears and a long tail. The coat of the Smooth Collie is dense and long with the outer hair being straight and harsh. The Smooth Collie comes in different colors – fawn, reddish brown, white,grey, black and tan.

Temperament:

The Smooth Collie is generally an amicable dog, sociable and friendly. He loves his human family and wants to be constantly with them, showing signs of separation anxiety when left for long periods on his own.

He is intelligent too so that he is easily trained. He is totally non-aggressive but that doesn’t stop him from being an excellent watchdog and he’ll alert you to strangers approaching you or your home.

They’re also energetic dogs and will require regular exercise. Although these Smooth Collies make splendid family pets, they are still used for herding purposes.

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.

Characteristics

The Smooth Collie ticks all the right boxes for making a splendid pet.

smooth collie dog - characteristicsNot only is he intelligent, he is playful and energetic too, making a good pet for children and tolerating other pets too.

Add to that the fact that he is a a good watchdog and wants to protect his family. Sweet and gentle, the Smooth Collie is guaranteed to make a wonderful addition to your family.

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.

Health Problems

smooth collie puppies - health problemsYour gentle smooth haired collie can live to be 12 to 14 years of age if he enjoys a good life, but like with other dog breeds, they can also be susceptible to certain common dog illnesses.

Collie Eye Anomaly:

This is when the chromosomes that determine how the eyes develop are mutated, so that the blood vessels that nourish the retina and absorb scattered light are underdeveloped. When this mutation occurs it is in both eyes, but one eye could be more severely affected than the other.

Your vet will do a complete examination of your dog’s eyes to find out what the extent of the defect is.

Bloat or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus:

This is a life threatening problem where the stomach twists. It is more prevalent in deep chested dogs. It can help by feeding your dog two smaller meals a day instead of one larger one which he gobbles up quickly.

Cyclic Neutropenia:

Also known as Gray Collie Syndrome, this rare disease affects the neutrophils of a dog, which are an important part of the immune system. Bacterial infections and a shortened lifespan are your dog’s lot with this illness.

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.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

smooth collie dogs - caringYour Smooth Collie deserves the very best food there is because of the wonderful companionship he provides you with. You want him to enjoy good health and a long life with you.

If you buy one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure it is one of the best – packed with vitamins and minerals and good, natural ingredients.

Follow the instructions on the packaging for portion sizes. Also include some plain, wholesome dog food made at home. The perfect example of this is boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots all chopped up and added to your dog’s dry kibble as a treat twice a week. No need to add in exotic spices. Avoid onions.

Try and include some raw meat into the diet once in a while too. Make sure your Smooth Collie has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Spay or Neuter:

This is one of the best things you can do for your Collie, eliminating the possibility of your pet becoming a parent of unwanted puppies.

Grooming:

Brush your Smooth Collie twice a week. He is a moderate shedder but has a couple of heavier shedding periods.

While brushing your pet, check inside the ears for signs of infection, check that his eyes are still bright and alert and check inside his mouth for bad teeth. He can’t tell you about a rotting tooth and this can cause a host of other problems for your dog.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Terrier dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
United States
Height Male:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
18 - 45 cm
7 - 18 inches
Height Female:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
16 - 40 cm
6 - 16 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
3 - 12 kg
6 - 27 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
2 - 10 kg
4 - 23 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
8 - 12
3 - 5
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Collie
AHT, American Hairless Rat Terrier
Colors Available:
Light gold, deep mahogany and grey, tricolour of white, black, tan
variety of colors and patterns (blue, black, brown, pink, sable and tan) with white
Coat:
Short, dense
hairless, coated variety has a short dense coat
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Lively, Loving, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Smooth Collie vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  2. Smooth Collie vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Smooth Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  4. Smooth Collie vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Smooth Collie vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  6. Smooth Collie vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  7. Smooth Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  8. Smooth Collie vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  9. Smooth Collie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  10. Smooth Collie vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  11. Smooth Collie vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  12. Smooth Collie vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  13. Smooth Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  14. Smooth Collie vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  15. Smooth Collie vs Pyrenean Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  16. Smooth Collie vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  17. Smooth Collie vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  18. Smooth Collie vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Smooth Collie vs Queensland Heeler - Breed Comparison
  20. Smooth Collie vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  21. Smooth Collie vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Smooth Collie vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  23. Smooth Collie vs Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  24. Smooth Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  25. Smooth Collie vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  26. Boston Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Jack Russell Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Miniature Schnauzer vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Cairn Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Border Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Rat Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Scottish Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Patterdale Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. American Hairless Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. American Hairless Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Bull Terrier Miniature vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Norwich Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Norfolk Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. English White Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Parson Russell Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Russell Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Feist vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Manchester Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Fox Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Cesky Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Schnorkie vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Sealyham Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  50. Chilean Fox Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds