Rat Terriers - Information

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Rat Terriers - Information - Popularity Level

Picture courtesy of
ABC Kennel

Rat Terriers are small dogs that have preserved their working qualities over time. Bred to be ratters and hunting dogs, Rat Terriers were considered second to none in destroying vermin. Therefore, they were frequently seen on farms.

With the development of agriculture and various means of controlling the population of vermin, the number of Rat Terriers diminished some. This was accompanied by a heightened interest in purebred dogs. Hence, Rat Terriers lost a lion's share of their popularity.

Nevertheless, the last few decades have confirmed that the Rat Terrier breed will not perish due low demand for a natural ratter. More and more people start to associate the Rat Terrier breed with companion dogs. City dwellers have been drawn by the dog's small size and playful personality. However, the Rat Terrier is not a breed for everyone. Its personality traits and exercise requirements should be the number one concern when considering purchasing a puppy.

Rat Terriers - Information - Appearance

The UKC registered the Rat Terrier in 1999 and coined the official breed standard (the first breed standard was set in 1994 by the Rat Terrier Club of America). According to this, the Rat Terrier is an energetic active dog with the body slightly longer than the legs. The Standard Rat Terrier should stand about 13-18 inches at the shoulder, whereas the smaller variety, the Miniature Rat Terrier, should be under 13 inches measured at the withers.

Since the Rat Terrier is a working breed, appearance is not a priority when breeding a dog. The weight of the Rat Terrier is not determined in the standard. Breeders should aim at well-balanced dogs whose height does not exceed 19 inches, whereas owners are advised to supply their Rat Terriers with appropriate foods and amount of exercise to avoid obesity.

The Rat Terrier has a short smooth coat that lies closely to the body. The Hairless Rat Terrier has very short hairs on the whiskers, muzzle, and eyebrows. In each case, the Rat Terrier is disqualified for a broken or too long of a coat. Coat color varies in Rat Terriers greatly. Hairless Rat Terriers can be of any color, whereas a coated type should have white as a predominant color. White is usually accompanied by black, tan, and chocolate markings.

Rat Terriers - Information - Pictures

Picture courtesy of
Dogomania com

Rat Terriers - Information - Training

Rat Terriers are intelligent dogs and are said to be easy to train. They need a lot of attention and will only obey consistent trainers. Rat Terriers are not recommended for novice owners. However, compared to other terriers, they seem to be less dominant and can be trained during play. Exercise can be a part of training too. Rat Terriers enjoy doing things with their owners. Active people will particularly appreciate this trait and find a devoted companion for a long time to come. Note that the average life span of the Rat Terrier is 15-16 years.

Rat Terriers - Information - Favorite Activities

Rat Terriers are good agility dogs and can be used as tunnel dogs. Their short legs and a muscular body provide for a great flexibility, whereas their famous tough character guarantees success in these canine sports. Rat Terriers can also be used in weight pulling and terrier races. However, their favorite activity is still hunting. Breed clubs and affiliated breeders continue to promote the breed through stressing the importance of preserving its working qualities and organization of go-to-ground trials. It is interesting to note that experienced hunters consider Rat Terriers one of the best squirrel dogs.

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Being a very small puppy, rat terrier toy must be handled carefully and can be viewed on most photos sites featuring these dog breeders.