RAT TERRIER HISTORY

The Rat Terrier originated in England during the 1820's when Smooth Fox Terriers and Manchester Terriers were crossed in an effort to create a small dog with a propensity for hunting rodents. Once known as "feist" because of their feisty temperaments, the dog were refined in the United States towards the end of the 19th Century with the addition of Whippet, Italian Greyhound and Beagle blood. Aside from their use as hunters and pursuers of rodents, Rat Terriers were also used to fight. Unlike, most breeds that traditionally battled other dogs, they conquered groups of rats while gamblers wagered on the number that could be killed in a fixed time. The breed name almost certainly derives from this practice. Once the favorite canine companions of President Theodore Roosevelt, owned several of these feisty terriers. he used them for game hunting and for killing rats in the White House. He called these dogs Rat Terriers because of their excellent ratting abilities. Rat Terriers have also been called Teddy or Roosevelt Terriers after their famous owner. Though difficult to register, they can compete in conformation and field trails through rare breed clubs.

Note: The short-legged Rat Terrier is now known as the "Teddy Roosevelt Terrier" and is considered a separate breed.

Ideal Rat Terriers Characteristics

SIZE: Males and Females usually between 10 and 16 inches and divided into two categories: 10 to 13 inches (Small Toy) and 13 to 16 inches ( Giant) at the withers.

APPEARANCE: Compact, fit body with agile motion.

COAT AND COLOR: Short, thick, smooth, shiny coat. Faults-Coarse coat (wirly, long0haired or broken coats are breed disqualifictions). White, black, and tan in any solid, particolor, tricolor or spotted pattern preferred; though brown, lemon, red, and blue colors with or without tan or white markings also permitted. Serious faults- Any fallows, silver or single colors. Disqualifications- Brindled or any merlization.

HEAD: Gently rounded skull with a slightly pointed muzzle; dark, round eyes; v-shaped ears carried erect, semi-erect, or dropped. Faults-Domed or apple heads; a serious fault if combined with bulgy eyes. Snipy muzzle.

TAIL: Carried high as a natural bob, curled, or docked between the second and third joints. Faults-Crooked or long (natural) tails.

JAWS: Powerful with well-muscled cheeks.

EYES: The darker the better, somewhat prominent and rounded. Hazel eyes are acceptable in lighter dogs. Faults-Bulgy, blue or china eyes. Blue or amber eyes are permitted in blue colored Rat Terriers ONLY, but a dark grey eye and rim is preferred.

NOSE: Black, or must correspond with color of individual.

TEETH: Scissors bite is preferred, level bite is acceptable.

EARS: V-shaped carried erect/pricked or button/folded/dropped. Both ears should be uniform and of maderate thickness. Tulip, rose or flying ears are acceptable, but very undersirable. Disqualifications-Bat ears (broad based, short-rounded), blunt-tipped or hanging hound (lop or flop) ears.

NECK: Well set-on. Moderately long, slightly arched, clean and muscular; gradually widening to the shoulder.

BODY: Chest should be deep, well-ribbed and deep in the brisket. Tuck-up should be moderate and not exaggerated. Any extremes are to be faulted, but "Scars, as the result of honarable wounds, are not to be penalized not faulted, unless the gait or conformation is affected". A non-sparing breed. Rat Terriers deemed unduly shy, aggressive or vicious shall be dismissed from the ring.

BACK: Straight, strong, slightly arched over the loin and should have a slight drop at the croup. Loins and croup are well muscled. A 10:9 ratio is correct and preferred, but a slightly longer back is acceptable as long as excessive raciness or stubbiness is not produced. Short-legged and/or benched/bowed individuals are a variety known as "Teddy Terriers". Due to the dominance of the genes associated with these traits, ANY Teddy Terrier Dam and/or Sire & their offsprings, regardless if they do not show this trait, should ONLY be bred to this type with "No mixing of the types". This will allow for their future development as a 'separate and distinct breed' giving fanciers an option & help avoid a leg lenght problem within the general Rat Terrier population. Rat Terriers are working terriers. 'Elongated types of conformation affect gait and are known to contribute to thoracic cervical problems, soreness and diseases, and have also been linked to certain cardiac conditions'.

FEET: Oval (semi-hare footed) with the middle toes slightly longer.

FOREQUARTERS: Shoulders should be long, sloping and well arched. Clean cut at the wither. Strong, straight bones in correct alignment, turning neither in nor out. Elbows should hang perpendicular and close to the body, working free from the sides. Dewclaw removal is recommended.

HINDQUARTERS: Strong and moderately muscled with long and powerful thighs. Stifles turn neither in nor out. Well bent hocks set low to the ground and well angulated. Faults- Hind Dewclaws. Short second thigh, straight stifle; a serious fault when seen in conjuction with each other.

WEIGHT: As a rule of thumb 'One pound per inch'. 13" and under Rat Terries should not weigh less than 1/2 of their height; not should a larger, over 13" variety's weigh exceed twice their height.

GAIT: Smooth, straight and lively, covering ground with free easy strides. Forelegs should reach out well with the hind legs driving and flexing well at the stifle and hock with a typical jaunty air that suggests agility, speed and power. Faults-Lack of reach, drive or a hackneyed gait.

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