Mackenzie River Husky vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison

Derived 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.

The name Mackenzie River Husky was given to these huskies by those wanting to name the freight huskies of a certain area. The name took hold in the 1960’s, but the dog began to disappear with the introduction of snow machines.

They’re a mixture of native sled dogs - Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Staghounds and Wolf. As a mixed breed, they have always been regarded as classic sled dogs.

The 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.

The beautiful Mackenzie River Husky stands at 66 to 74cm in height and weighs between 29 and 47kg.

This deep chested dog has a long, straight coat with the colors being typically wolf-like – white, cream, black, tan, blonde and red. He has erect ears, long legs and a long, bushy tail.

Temperament:

This wolf-type dog is strong willed and independent and was always a pack dog. They wouldn’t be described as a good choice for the first time dog owner as they do seem to have some wolf traits and will require a strong, firm, level headed owner.

This 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.

Your MacKenzie River Husky is such a likeable pet to have. True, he does tend to be a bit stubborn and independent but there is nothing that training and socialization won’t do for him. You’ll find him much more obedient and amicable, and he gets on well with children and pets in the home.

He is an intelligent dog too and very energetic so will require an owner who is active, firm and consistent. He thrives on human company and just wants to be around his owner all the time, ready to join in with any activity happening in his life.

He is therefore far more suited to life in the countryside than to the city. Loyal, devoted and loving, a MacKenzie River Husky isn’t only a beautiful dog to own, he promises to offer everything you want in a 4-legged friend.

There 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.

Your MacKenzie River Husky, regardless of how healthy he is, can suffer with some common health problems that all dogs are prone to.

Perhaps one of the more common health problems that this particular dog breed has to contend with is cataracts, hip dyslasia and hypothyroidism.

Cataracts:

Many people associate cataracts in dogs with age, little realizing that there are many medical reasons as to why our pets develop cataracts. Cataracts can start as early as 6 months of age, although this is unlikely. They come about because of a disease which affects the lens of the eye, causing the lens to lose its transparency.

You’ll notice a whitish/grey shade in your dog’s eye and this can actually impair vision. Cataracts are particularly the lot of diabetic dogs. It can certainly help to have your dog’s eyes checked by a vet regularly.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is another fairly common problem with Huskies. It’s almost like a death sentence if your MacKenzie is a working dog because it can lead to lameness. The disease can lead to problems in the hip joint which cab be debilitating ad give your dog a lot of pain.

It doesn’t strike old dogs only, but can be the lot of young dogs too. Sometimes treatment will require surgery but there are non-invasive options too. You want to make sure that you don’t allow your pet to become overweight as this can contribute to developing hip dysplasia.

The 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.

Exercise:

Huskies like this one will require a good deal of exercise every single day. These are working dogs who have always had a job to do and you can certainly count him in when you do your hiking walks, swimming – you name it. The only thing he will object to is that he doesn’t do well in hot weather. Strong-willed, you’ll want your MacKenzie River Husky trained and socialized if you want him to be a companionable dog.

Diet:

Dogs need to be fed according to the size, their age and their lifestyle. If your MacKenzie River Husky is an active working dog, his food must be the very best and contain enough calories to cover the daily caloric expenses.

Quality and the amount of vitamins and minerals in the food is most important for a dog like this. If you feed him commercially manufactured food, make sure its high quality and not made up of fillers, and other bad stuff. Read the label and understand exactly what’s going into your dog’s stomach.

Simplicity with feeding is best for your pet. Treat him occasionally to cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and cooked or raw vegetables which can be added into his dry kibble. A dog like this will require some raw meat as well to ensure his coat and eyes are always shiny and bright.

Grooming:

Grooming of the MacKenzie River Husky must be done at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs.