Other Definitions
rat terrier (dict)
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Rat Terrier | at Terrier | | lternative names | | {| align=center | | merican Rat Terrier | | eist | | iant Decker | } | | ountry of origin | | a href="/encyclopedia/United-States" title="United States">United States | | lassification | | {| align=center | AKC: | Terrier (FSS) | | a href="/encyclopedia/United-Kennel-Club" title="United Kennel Club">UKC: | Terriers | | | | reed standards (external links) | | a href="http://www.akc.org/breeds/rat_terrier/index.cfm" title="http://www.akc.org/breeds/rat_terrier/index.cfm">AKC, UKC | | otes | till considered a rare breed, or a type.
The Kennel Club (UK) standard is
not currently available on their web site.
The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an
optional recording service for purebred dogs
that are not yet eligible for AKC registration. | The Rat Terrier is an American breed of dog, one of many terrier varieties. It is a small, active terrier. Although the breed has been around in similar form since the early 1900s, it has remained more of a type than a breed. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed this breed as hunting companions. The Rat Terrier was a common farm dog in the early 1900s. It originated in England from from crosses among Manchester Terriers, Smooth Fox Terriers, and Whippets. After the 1890s, as the breed type became popular in America, Beagles, Italian Greyhounds, and possibly other breeds were added to the mix. Although often mistaken for a Jack Russell Terrier, it has a very different temperament. It is less aggressive and comparatively calm (although it is still a terrier). They are normally cheerful dogs, but there are occasional dogs who are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment or to unexpected noises, people, or activity. Appearance The RCA trademark dog, Nipper ("His Master's Voice") might have been a Rat Terrier. The Rat Terrier comes in a variety of coat colors and patterns. It is often white with either black and tan, apricot, blue, or brown spots. The original and most common color is the tricolor: black, tan, and white. Many have ticking on the white part of the coat; most have freckles on their bellies. The Rat Terrier ranges from about 8 to 40 pounds, although the larger sizes are sometimes called Giant Deckers, after a breeder named Decker who has been developing a larger version of the Rat Terrier. Breed recognition Rat Terrier organizations rank among those in the dog world among which there is dispute 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 Show conformation. Perhaps because the Rat Terrier has existed for decades with several different evident types being upheld by different clubs, disagreements can be highly charged. 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 was accepted into the AKC's Foundation Stock Service in 2005; this is opposed by some Rat Terrier clubs. External links
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