Rat Terrier facts for kids
Tricolor Rat Terrier; note pale black ticking on white coat
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| Other names | American Rat Terrier Ratting Terrier Decker Giant |
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| Common nicknames | RT, Rat, Rattie | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | United States of America (USA) | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||
The Rat Terrier is an American dog breed. These dogs were first used on farms and as hunting companions. They are related to small hunting dogs called feists. Rat Terriers were very common on family farms in the 1920s and 1930s. Today, they are recognized by the United and American Kennel Clubs. They are now considered a rare breed. Modern Rat Terriers are smart and active small dogs. People keep them for pest control and as family pets.
Contents
About Rat Terriers
What Do Rat Terriers Look Like?
Rat Terriers usually weigh between 10 and 25 pounds. They stand 10 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder. A smaller size, called the miniature, is becoming popular. These dogs are 13 inches or shorter. They make great house pets and companions. But even the miniature size is still a good hunting dog. Their small size helps them get into places where pests hide.
A larger type of Rat Terrier has also been developed. These dogs often weigh more than 25 pounds. They are called Decker or Decker Giant Terriers. They were named after Milton Decker, who bred them to be larger hunting dogs. The National Rat Terrier Association (NRTA) recognizes them. However, the UKC and AKC see them as a standard variety, not a separate breed. The NRTA also recognizes a "Toy" variety. These dogs weigh 10 pounds or less.
Rat Terriers have many different coat colors. The most classic color is black with tan points and white spots. This is called black tricolor. Other common colors include chocolate, tan, blue, and lemon. They can be tricolor or bicolor. This means they always have some white on their coat. Their coats often have small spots, called ticking, on the white parts.
Rat Terriers usually have ears that stand up straight. Their ears can also be tipped or button-shaped. These ear types give them a smart and alert look. Their tails were traditionally shortened to about 2–3 inches. However, many Rat Terriers are born with naturally short tails. Today, some breeders prefer a natural, full tail. This is allowed in the breed standards.
Rat Terrier Personality
Rat Terriers are known for being smart and a bit stubborn. They often know how to get what they want! They are also considered good family pets. This is because they have lots of energy. They get along well with children. They are playful and need plenty of exercise.
Rat Terriers are sensitive to social cues. This makes them easy to train for most pet owners. But it also means they need to meet many different people and see many places when they are puppies. This is called socialization. It is very important, especially in their first three months. Like most smart and active dogs, Rat Terriers are happier when they get lots of mental challenges and exercise. They are usually loyal to their owners. They are very respectful if they are trained well from a young age.
Health and Lifespan
Rat Terriers are generally a very healthy breed. This is because they have a wide variety of genes from different dogs in their history. However, as they have become more popular, some health issues are appearing more often.
Experts suggest that Rat Terriers should be checked for certain health problems. These include issues with their knees, heart, and hips. They should also be checked for certain bone diseases. A well-bred Rat Terrier usually lives for 16 to 19 years.
A Look at Rat Terrier History
The name "Rat Terrier" comes from their early job. Their ancestors were brought to the US by British workers. These dogs were used to catch rats. They were also bred to be very fast. Their speed helped them control pests and hunt small animals like squirrels.
After the 1890s, Rat Terriers became popular in the United States. They were bred with other dogs like Beagles, Italian Greyhounds, and Manchester Terriers. Many early Rat Terriers looked like small mixed-breed hunting dogs called "feists".
Rat Terriers were loved on American farms in the 20th century. They were loyal hunting partners. They were also very good at getting rid of pests. Because of this, they were one of the most popular dog types from the 1920s to the 1940s.
However, after the 1950s, people started using more chemical pesticides. Large commercial farms also grew. This caused the number of Rat Terriers to drop sharply. But people who loved the breed kept their bloodlines going. This led to the modern Rat Terrier we see today.
Rat Terriers have a lot of genetic variety. This has helped them stay healthy, smart, and strong. Many modern dog breeds come from just a few original dogs. Then they are bred from a small group of genes. But Rat Terriers have a long history of being bred with different dogs. This has brought in useful traits and kept their genes diverse.
Today, Rat Terriers are popular as family pets. They are also used as working dogs in many different jobs.
- Their kind and calm nature, along with their small size, makes them good service dogs. They help people in hospices, with depression, and in assisted living homes.
- Police departments have started using them to search for illegal items. They are very smart, so they can be trained quickly. This takes as little as three weeks. This is much faster than for traditional police dogs. Their small size also lets them search cars, homes, and prison cells without causing much damage.
Rat Terriers are known for their ability to catch pests. One famous story tells of a terrier that caught many rats in a barn in just a few hours.
Breed Recognition
Different groups have different ideas about how to promote and protect the Rat Terrier breed. Some groups focus on keeping the dog's working skills strong. Others focus on how the dog looks for dog shows.
The Rat Terrier Club of America is the official club for the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC accepted Rat Terriers into its terrier group in June 2012. Rat Terriers have been competing in United Kennel Club (UKC) events for over 15 years. The UKC is a group that supports many different activities for dogs.
The National Rat Terrier Association (NRTA) is the largest independent group. They have kept records of Rat Terrier family trees for many decades. This group believes that focusing too much on dog shows might hurt the breed's working nature. They are against the strict breeding rules of some kennel clubs.
The Decker Hunting Terrier Registry was made just for the Decker Giant. This group wants to keep all the special qualities of the Decker Giant. They also want to improve its hunting skills.
The UKC officially recognized the Rat Terrier breed on January 1, 1999. The AKC recognized the breed on July 1, 2010. However, the AKC allowed Rat Terriers to compete in companion events starting January 1, 2006. These events include Obedience, Agility, and Rally. The first Rat Terrier to earn an AKC title was "Gigi" in Agility on January 14, 2006. The AKC accepted the Rat Terrier into the Terrier Group in June 2012. The first AKC Champion Rat Terrier was "Annie."
