Dogs usually recover very easily from this surgery and go on to live long, pain-free lives. Rat Terriers tend to be good eaters, so feed them a measured amount of a food appropriate for their life stage (puppy, adult, or senior) twice a day. They are prone to chronic allergies and scratching, which often results in secondary bacterial infections. If you notice your Rattie scratching or licking more than usual or any red bumps or hair loss, talk to your veterinarian right away to reduce the risk of a more serious infection. You can also reach out to Rat Terrier rescue organizations to adopt a Rattie, or keep an eye out for them at your local animal shelter. Rat Terrier organizations exhibit the typical disputes over the course of action to be taken for the promotion and preservation of the breed. The Rat Terrier started to become their own breed when they rose in popularity on family farms throughout the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Rat terriers also love to roughhouse and play fetch, tug-of-war, and other social games. They originated on American farms, where these little dogs were perfect for exterminating the vermin that could potentially wreak havoc on stored food needed for survival. Rat Terriers are incredible hunters, containing the intelligence and sense of humor that youd expect in a terrier. They do best with families who understand their energy levels and exercise needs and arent going to leave them alone for long periods. Rat Terrier Breeders. Breed loyalists maintained the bloodline, leading to the modern Rat Terrier. Swedish Vallhunds are fearless, loyal and brimming with personality. Rat Terriers are every bit as tenacious and active as they are entertaining and funny, which makes this adorable little dog a fantastic fit for some familiesbut a challenge for those who arent patient or ready to laugh at their antics. Today's Rat Terrier is an intelligent and active small dog that is kept both . Between this, their intelligence, and their energy levels, theyre typically best suited to experienced pet parents. Eyes. Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Rat terriers have slightly elongated bodies and V-shaped ears that often stick up. Keep training interestingand keep your rat engagedby incorporating games and rewards. Primary Lens Luxationlens luxation may have painful, reddened eyes; iris or lens trembling; or other abnormalities that your veterinarian will be able to observe. This is important because, like their other small breed counterparts, Rat Terriers are more prone to dental disease because theres not a lot of room in their mouths for all their teeth. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best heartworm preventative for your rat terrier. Since this breed inherently hunts down pests and vermin, it's highly advised that owners avoid bringing small animals into the home as pets, such as hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, or birds. Rat Terriers are social butterflies, and they arent keen on being left alone for long periods. Ready to see what dogs fit you best? They make great watchdogs, because they will bark to alert you when someones at the door. Veterinarians can teach pet parents how to brush dog teeth, and starting out as puppies will help them get used to the idea faster. Rat terriers have been competing in the United Kennel Club events for over 15 years. Though some rat terrier puppies are born with naturally short tails, these terriers have had their tails traditionally docked. Toutle, Washington Phone # 503-380-5644 E-mail - firemountainnorthratterriers@yahoo.com .. Training sessions should be kept short, fun, and full of rewards for good behavior. Rat Terriers thrive in busy homes with a loving pet parent. If you commit to teaching them your rules, youll have an energetic, playful bestie to fall in love with in no time. Rat terriers need daily exercise to stay happy, but they're small enough that they can get all the exercise they need with some indoor playtime. 16: Bantles Cty X Kennels: 0 1 We are building a small breeding program Dedicated to the Decker Rat Terrier. The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2022. One benefit of this is their surprisingly hardy constitutions. 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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. They need consistent attention during daily exercise simply being let outside to play in a fenced yard wont be adequate. The AKC recognized the Rat Terrier as a breed on July 1, 2010, however, it allowed them to compete in companion events beginning January 1, 2006 in sanctioned AKC Companion events (Obedience, Agility, Rally). Youll have to forgive them for having a bit of a stubborn streakthey may be too smart for their own good, but they are likely to make up for it by being a fast learner in training or winning you a ribbon in an agility show. Rat terriers can be stubborn dogs, but they're clever and highly trainable. Since Rat Terrier dogs were bred to both function as a working dog and live with a family, they can master both equally. This is particularly concerning due to their potential for joint and cardiac issues. Socializing them early on is important, and obedience training is going to be a must as well; rat terriers are smart enough to think up ways to get into trouble, and they're small and nimble enough to get to places they shouldn't. Their two ears are triangular in shape, firm at the top of their head and erect or folded down . An average rat terrier's life expectancy is 15 to 18 years.As generally healthy dogs, they typically dont require special treatment. I'm the breeder behind Fire Mountain North Rat Terriers located in Washington. They are incredible jumpers, so shorter fences are a risk. health issues for which the national breed club recommends testing, Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), bathe them more frequently than once a month. Remember that training doesnt end when they grow beyond puppyhood. With their tiny bodies, high prey drive, and digging expertise, rat terriers are true escape artists. Hi, I'm Kerri Miller. [Breeders] do their job for the first eight weeks, and its your job to work on that for at least the next year. Rat Terrier . Rat Terrier. As their name implies, these dogs kind of have a thing for vermin. They may have a heart murmur that your vet will detect, but other symptoms may include coughing, weight loss, fatigue, or fainting from excitement or exercise. Free-feeding, or leaving food out all the time, is not recommended; this can easily cause them to become overweight or obese. Rat terriers were initially bred to hunt rats, so they have a strong prey drive. Sharing is caring. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. The rat terrier breed was firmly established as a reliable farmhand by the 1920s. Rat Terriers bark when they feel its necessary. Their speed is used for controlling vermin and hunting small game such as squirrels and hares. Throughout their relatively brief development history in the U.S., rat terriers have been blessed with a surprisingly varied gene pool. Theyll go where you go; theyll love who you love (mostly). Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, rat terrier breeders worked to propagate certain skills, resulting in several new lines in the breed. Although rat terriers can thrive in smaller spaces, like apartments or condos, those living in small spaces should remember that rats were bred to runso they need at least 40 minutes of exercise each dayand they have a strong instinct to bark. People unfamiliar with the breed often confuse rat terriers for Russell terriers. If weekend hikes and daily neighborhood strolls are your jam, a Rat Terrier is the one for you. But, as with any dog, it's important to supervise puppy playtime and always teach your children how to properly interact with pets. Bred to hunt rats, as their name suggests, Rat Terriers are bright and nimble. Hatch is thought to have been a mongrel, and was brought on board to control the rat population.[4]. Rat Terriers were accepted into the AKC's terrier group June 2012. Got a lot of love to go around? Their coat comes in a wide range of colors, including black and white or tri-color (black, tan and white; red,white and sable; blue, white and tan; or white, chocolate and tan) and can be any pied pattern, meaning there are large patches of one or more shades, along with a combination of white with apricot, fawn, lemon, red, silver, blue or chocolate. An American original with a breed name said to be coined by Teddy Roosevelt, the Rat Terrier is a compact, tough, smooth-coated exterminator dog. As with any dog breed, its best to supervise when your two- and four-legged babies are interacting. This breed comes in two compact sizes: a miniature Rat Terrier dog that stands 1013 inches tall, and the standard size thats 1318 inches tall. Avoid using cotton swabs, as they can damage the delicate inner-ear structures. teach your children how to properly interact with pets, Hatch, a dog aboard king Henry VIII's favorite ship. They are also considered good family pets because of their energy and compatibility with kids. However, some are more reserved around new people. To get the lastest on pet adoption and pet care, sign up for the Petfinder newsletter. A balanced diet of high-quality dog food is best for a Rat Terrier. Dogs with Legg-Calv-Perthes diseaseexperience a disintegration of their hip joint at the head of their femur bone. Rat Terriers are good watchdogs, so dont be surprised if they bark when someone comes to the door. Called the Decker or Decker Giant, it was named after breeder Milton Decker who created a larger hunting companion and are recognized by the National Rat Terrier Association (NRTA, see "Breed recognition" below). Most Rat Terriers are athletic and agile, LOVE to play, and have a special passion for chasing balls. if theyre raised with them. You can keep this shedding to a minimum by brushing them weekly. Each Rat Terrier is going to have their own temperament, but they generally can do well living with both cats and other dogs as long as they have been properly socialized from a young age. Hip Dysplasia. Its good to know ahead of time what these concerns could be so you can look out for any tell-tale signs. Introducing them to crate training early on is wise, because it will keep them (and anything they can get their teeth on) safe if you need to leave them alone for a bit. Today, some breeders prefer a natural, undocked tail, which is accepted in the breed standards. They may not be ready to beat you in a game of chess, but these brainy dogs are easy to train and generally eager to please you. Primary lens luxation. Together we have produced . All rat terriers need to receive core vaccines, which include: Depending on your rat terriers exposure risk, your veterinarian may recommend additional, non-core vaccines such asBordetella bronchiseptica, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Leptospira bacteria.. Rat Terriers, especially as they age, can develop heart disease. They have a wide combination of colors in a pied pattern (large colored patches mingled with white). 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. Black, tan, chocolate, blue, grey Isabella (pearl), lemon and apricot. [1] They share much ancestry with the small hunting dogs known as feists. It's important to teach them sit and recall commands from the get-go. If you notice your dog gaining unnecessary weight, consult your veterinarian. Like most of the terrier breeds, these are brilliant little dogs. The decker rat terrier is a slightly larger dog that excels in hunting and will retrieve from water, while the hairless rat terrier is a smaller, hairless dog that comes in miniature and standard sizes. Through the years we have purchased many outstanding Standard Rat Terriers and have begun a top quality breeding program that consists of the last remaining Standard type Fire Mountain dogs left in the world. We raise top quality puppies for hunting, show and companion animals. "It's important to teach them sit and recall commands from the get-go. Rat Terriers were cherished as loyal hunting companions and efficient killers of vermin on 20th-century American farms: as a result, they were one of the most popular dog types from the 1920s to the 1940s. Theyre just doing what they were bred to do! Small, energetic, and feisty, this breed is often used by exterminators to rid farms and other large homestead properties of rats. Ratties are bright, motivated and fast learners, which makes them easy to train. Breeding mini, and standard sizes. And when it comes to training your rat terrier, consistencyand getting an early startis key. Due to regular outcrossings throughout the Rat Terrier's history, overall it is a very hardy breed. In the 1970s, a hairless mutation appeared in a single Rat Terrier and was propagated into a strain of the Rat Terrier. Rat terriers are alert enough to make very good home alarm systems and will happily alert you to strangers at your door. This condition can lead to glaucoma and, if left untreated, total blindness. They do great in families who will include four-legged members in their activities. Valvular disease is a common cause of heart failure, and it usually has no symptoms. Just be careful about overdoing it, because obesity can lead to health issues like heart disease and diabetes. Both sturdy and elegant, and often described as having a dual personality, the Rat Terrier is a tenacious hunter in the field, yet a sensible companion at home. Puppies bred through a reputable breeder will have their puppies screened for any concerns medically and behaviorally and may come with pedigree papers. HEIGHT: Generally, 10 to 13 inches for miniature Rat Terriers and 13 to 18 inches for standard Rat Terriers, COAT COLOR: Comes in pied (meaning one or more colors with large patches of white) patterns; common colors include black and white with rust, tan, lemon, blue, red, chocolate, or orange, TEMPERAMENT: Intelligent, inquisitive, affectionate, lively, alert, loving. Their affectionate and calm temperament along with small size has made them popular as service dogs in hospice, treatment for depression, in Assisted Living, and other human-care jobs. While this friendly breed is good with kids and other dogs, its still advisable to spend time socializing your Rat Terrier while theyre a puppy so they become accustomed to meeting new people and dogs, and even cats, who they can (though not always) be trained to live with. Which Type of Dog Fence Is Right For Your Pet? Flea and tick preventatives come in both over-the-counter and prescription formulas. An experienced dog owner will know how to be firm but loving with a pet, which is what a rattie needs from an owner. If left to their own devices for too long in an unsupervised backyard, they will find a way out. Rat terriers shed seasonally, and you can use a brush designed to reduce shedding during those times. "Rat terriers are fast, prey-driven, and focused on their own goalsnot yours," Johnson says. Wherever you live, due to their feisty and fearless nature, they also make great watchdogs. If you don't have a fenced-in area for your rat terrier to run, be sure to take several, vigorous walks each day. Ratties need plenty of physical and mental stimulation; remember, these are bright pups with a curious nature, so its on you to keep them out of trouble. Rat Terrier 30 minutes Here at Mountain top rat terriers we focus on preserving the breed by creating excellent show, work, and agility preforming dogs as well as beloved family pets. Any time you contact a rescue about any breed, it is important to clarify any background information you can get on the individual dog you are considering, she adds. They are playful and require much exercise. Its also recommended to check and clean your Rat Terriers ears once a week as excess wax and debris can cause infections (look for redness, swelling or a bad odor). Ask lots of questions, like "Where are the puppies kept?" Just make sure youre then giving them plenty of rest to recover. Duke is a 6 year old tri-color Rat Terrier / Mountain Feist mix breed dog. For instance, Whippets and Italian Greyhounds were included for their speed and the Beagle for their superior hunting skills. As high-energy dogs, rat terriers need at least 20 to 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking or jogging, each day. These are the top Rat Terrier names as chosen by Chewy's pet parents! Message See more of MountainTop Rat Terriers on Facebook Log In or Create new account 300+ Cute Cat Names for Every Kind of Kitty. The disease causes the top of the femur to break down due to a lack of blood supply. Their perky ears are always alert and listening for the next source of excitement. Because everyone is touching them and interacting with them.". All Rights Reserved. Contact for more information Carrie Anderson Lodi, CA 95240 AKC Champion Bloodline Rat Terrier Puppies Males / Females Available 6 weeks old. 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