The Toy Rat Terrier is small and truly a wash and wear breed. The breed tolerates all climates well .Being short haired dogs the smaller sizes need to wear sweaters during really cold days when outdoors. In moderate climates Toy Rat Terriers are content to live outside with access to adequate shelter during inclement weather. The Toy Rat Terrier is an American creation descending from terriers brought by British minors and other working class immigrants. The dogs were brought over to rat and rid living and farm quarters of vermin.
This breed is most likely a combination of Manchester Terriers , White English Terriers and Smooth Fox terriers. Later, the early versions of Rat Terriers were the most common American farm dogs. Many farmers bred their rat terriers with beagles to improve hunting skills . They then cross breed many with Whippets to improve speed in the breed line. The Rat Terrier breed as a whole was may poplar among urban Americans by Teddy Roosevelt .He frequently seen hunting and playing with his pack of beloved Rat Terriers. In the south Rat Terriers were popular hunting dogs and were known as Feists.
The Toy Rat Terrier comes in the first of three sizes of the breed. Most Toy Rat Terriers are between 3.5 and 7.5 pounds. There are two body types known as A and B. Type A Rat Terriers have shorter legs then class B. When Rat Terriers are shown these body types are shown in two different groups. Breeders are discouraged from breeding Type A and Type B dogs as to keep these two body types separate and distinct in the breed.
The sizes of Rat Terriers are toy, medium, and large. Their tails are generally surgically docked , some are born with docked tails.They generally weigh between four to eighteen pounds. Rat Terrier height can be up to 23 inches. The coat is short and smooth. They can be tri-colored with variations of white , tan, and black being most common type of markings. Rat Terrier ears are wedge formed; placed well to the top on the side of the head. The ears should stand erect. This breeds Eyes are almond , oval or round and moderately small.They are expressive The color is brown or shaded with the color of coat.
Once you have owned a Rat Terrier of any size you will be hooked. If I had a house in the country I would have one of each size. I could not imagine anything that could be more fun. These dogs can catch a ball or Frisbee up in the air like a circus dog. Owners report these dogs are active and playful well into their old age.
http://www.ratterrierclub.com/
Published by Rebecca Furtado
I live in a small city in the midwest. I am the pet parent to four cats, two birds , and one lonely dust bunny dog named Nigel. I have two human children. They are both teenagers and I occasionally see them. View profile
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