Rat Terrier dog breed

Rat Terrier dog breed

The Rat Terrier is an American dog breed with a rich and varied background as an all-around farm dog. Traditionally more of a type than a breed they share much ancestry with the tough little mixed breed dogs known as 'feists.' Several private associations have maintained Rat Terriers registries for some decades, but more recently there have been movements to obtain breed recognition by the major canine organizations. Common throughout America on family farms in the 1920's and 30's, today they are generally considered a rare breed. Today's Rat Terrier is a handsome, intelligent, active little dog that is equally cherished as a farm helper and as a family pet.

Appearance
The Rat Terrier comes in a variety of coat colors and patterns. The "classic" base is black tanpoint with piebald spotting (known as "black tricolor"), but blue and brown tricolors are also common, along with red, sable, lemon, and other colors set off by varying amounts of white spotting. Ticking is usually visible in the white parts of the coat, or in the underlying skin. Brindle, currently disallowed by the main breed standards, is considered by some to be a "traditional" Rat Terrier pattern, and there is a growing movement to have this pattern accepted into the breed. However, merle is widely considered to be the result of recent outcrosses and, because of associated health problems, is rejected by most Rat Terrier breeders. Ear carriage can be erect, tipped, or button, all of which contribute to an intelligent, alert expression. The tail has been traditionally docked to about 2-3 inches, but the bobtail gene is very common in Rat Terriers and can result in a variety of tail lengths. Today, some breeders prefer a natural, undocked tail, which is accepted in the breed standards.

In the 1970s, a hairless mutation appeared in a single Rat Terrier bitch, and was propagated into a strain of the Rat Terrier. After a period of development by crossing to coated dogs, the UKC recognized the American Hairless Terrier as a separate breed in 2004.


Rat Terriers usually have natural erect ears and an alert expression. The Rat Terrier ranges from about 10 to 25 pounds and stands 13 to 18 inches at the shoulder. The miniature size (13 inches and under as defined by the UKC) is becoming increasingly popular as a house pet and companion dog. A larger strain, often in excess of 25 pounds, has been developed. These Deckers or Decker Giants were named after a breeder named Milton Decker to create a larger hunting companion and are recognized by the National Rat Terrier Association (NRTA, see breed recognition below). The NRTA recognizes a Toy Variety weighing 10 pounds or less, and continues to classify the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier as the Type B Rat Terrier. As some of the smaller sizes may exhibit health and dietary problems, prospective owners should carefully select a breeder to ensure the Toy and Miniature Rat Terriers display the same hardiness, prey drive, and stamina as their Standard sized counterparts.

Temperament
Although often mistaken for a Jack Russell Terrier, the Rat Terrier has a different profile and a very different temperament. Rat Terriers are finer of bone and have a more refined head. They always have a short single coat--never wire coated. Rat Terriers tend to be less aggressive than Jack Russells; while they have a definite terrier personality they also have an "off switch" and love lounging on the sofa or your lap as much as tearing about the yard. Rat Terriers are normally cheerful dogs but they tend to be more sensitive than Jack Russells to changes in their environment, owner's moods, or to unexpected noises, people, and activities. The "social sensitivity" of Rat Terriers makes them very trainable and easier to live with for the average pet owner but it also means that extensive socialization from an early age is critical. For this reason research the breeder carefully and avoid puppies from litters that are raised outside the home or with minimal handling. Be sure to expose your puppy to as many people and places as possible, especially during the first 3 months of life--the critical period for socialization. Crate training is essential and gives your dog a "safe haven" when you or your dog needs a break.

When searching for a Rat Terrier take your time and be ready for road trips to find the right puppy. Rat Terriers are "easy keepers" but that also makes them a target for commercial breeders who do not take the time to socialize and place puppies responsibly. Find a breeder who does early socialization and temperament testing to ensure that the individual dog will suit your home and family. Many people find a perfect pet through rescue services. Going through a rescue service is commonly viewed as a more humane and preferable way to obtain a pet than buying from puppy mills or careless breeders, but be sure to ask lots of questions and spend time with the dog if possible. A Rat Terrier will live for 15 years or more so it's important to find a good fit to your family and lifestyle. Answer all questions that the rescue organization asks you so that they can determine the right dog for you. Most importantly be sure to provide plenty of mental stimulation (positive training) as well as exercise to ensure that both you and your dog are happy and fulfilled.

History
The breed name comes from the occupation of its earliest ancestors; brought to the US by working class British migrants, these quick, tough little dogs gained their fame in rat pit gambling. However they were for the most part bred for controlling vermin and hunting squirrels, hare, and other small game. Like all terriers of this type, Rat Terriers most likely developed from crosses among the extinct English White Terrier, Manchester Terriers, Smooth Fox Terriers, and Whippets. After the 1890s, as the breed type became popular in America, other breeds were added to the mix. Beagle, Italian Greyhounds, Miniature Pinschers, and Chihuahuas were likely used to add scenting ability, speed, and smaller size. Many of the foundation Rat Terriers were indistinguishable from small mixed-breed hunting dogs known as "feists." The smaller varieties were split off from the Rat Terrier very early on, registered by the UKC as the Toy Fox Terrier beginning in 1936.

Rat Terriers were cherished as loyal and efficient killers of vermin on 20th century American Farms, as well as excellent hunting companions. As a result they were one of the most popular dog types from the 1920's to the 1940's. However the widespread use of chemical pesticides and the growth of commercial farming led to a sharp decline in the breed from the 1950's onwards. Fortunately breed loyalists maintained the bloodline, leading to the modern Rat Terrier we enjoy today.

The genetic diversity of the Rat Terrier is undoubtedly its greatest asset, and is responsible for the overall health, keen intelligence, and soundness of the breed. Most modern breeds were developed from a few founding dogs and then propagated from a closed gene pool. In contrast, the Rat Terrier has benefited from a long history of refinement with regular outcrosses to bring in useful qualities and genetic variability.

Breed recognition
Rat Terrier organizations exhibit the typical disputes over the best course of action to be taken for the promotion and preservation of the dog breed. Points of departure are, as usual, which dog type best represents the breed, and as is common among working breeds, whether the dog's working qualities will be sacrificed to selection for show conformation competition. Perhaps because the Rat Terrier has existed for decades with several different evident types being upheld by different clubs, disagreements can be highly charged. It seems safe to say however, that even farm-bred Rat Terriers have been cherished as much for their smart, amusing, and trainable companion qualities as for their skills at eradicating rats and hunting small game. Thus it is not surprising to see increasing numbers of Rat Terriers excelling at performance sports such as agility, Rally, and obedience.

The National Rat Terrier Association is the largest independent registry and has maintained lineage records for decades. Feeling the working terrier nature of the breed will suffer, it is the most prominent of those clubs and associations opposed to Kennel Club closed-registry breeding rules.

The Rat Terrier has been recognized by the United Kennel Club. The Rat Terrier Club of America is actively working towards recognition by the AKC and the breed was accepted into the AKC's Foundation Stock Service in 2005. The first Rat Terrier to earn a title under AKC Sanctioning was in Agility on January 14, 2006 in Van Nuys CA.

Miscellaneous

The RCA trademark dog, Nipper ("His Master's Voice") might have been a Rat Terrier.

U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt owned a small, dark colored dog that became well known for eradicating rats from the White House, and some have claimed the dog as a Rat Terrier. A short-legged version of the Rat Terrier (a.k.a. the Type-B Rat Terrier) was recognized in 1999 by the UKC as a separate breed, named the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier.

The Rat Terrier was a common farm dog in the early 1900s, bred for catching barn rats in haystacks.

Eleanor Powell trained a little dog named Buttons for a tapdance scene in "Lady Be Good" [1] A Rat Terrier was mentioned in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird published in 1960. Sean Connery attends a rat baiting match in the 1978 movie 'The Great Train Robbery' which features a Rat Terrier.

References
Kane, Alice J. (2004). Rat Terrier: a Comprehensive Owner's Guide (Special Limited Edition). Kennel Club Books ISBN 1-59378-367-1.

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Rat Terrier dog breed