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Discover the Rat Terrier: An American original bred for farm work, companionship, and more. Learn about their history, traits, and care.
Darice Ragan
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The Rat Terrier is an American breed. Early 19th century immigrants originated the breed from a mixture of crosses; Smooth Fox Terriers, Old English White Terriers, Bull Terriers, and Manchester Terriers. Later, Chihuahuas, Toy Fox Terriers, and available Feist breeds were added to the cross.
During the 1910s and ‘20s, most farmers owned a Rat Terrier. Rabbits were plaguing crops in the Midwest, so farmers began breeding Rat Terriers to Whippets and Italian Greyhounds for “speed.” Farmers in the Central and Southern regions bred their Rat Terriers to Beagles to bring out a stronger prey drive, and this gave the Rat Terrier breed the “nose,” as well as the good disposition, they are known for today.
Bred primarily for protection against vermin on the farm or ranch, and not as an earth dog, the Rat Terrier will follow most quarry to ground but is more suited to trailing, flushing, treeing game, and hunting rabbits and vermin.
One Rat Terrier is reported to have killed over 2,500 rats in a span of only seven hours in a rat-infested barn. The Rat Terrier is a hard-working farm-hand, able to rid an infested barn of vermin with no problem.
The Rat Terrier is not a sparring breed.
Bred primarily for protection against vermin on the farm or ranch, and not as an earth dog, the Rat Terrier will follow most quarry to ground but is more suited to trailing, flushing, treeing game, and hunting rabbits and vermin.
The Rat Terrier is a well-muscled dog with a deep chest, strong shoulders, solid neck, and powerful legs. They DO NOT have a typical Terrier front assembly. Their bodies are compact but meaty. The ears can be upright, button, or tipped. They can be born with short or full-length tails, each being left in its natural state or docked at two days of age. The Rat Terrier is easy to groom, with only an occasional combing and brushing needed to remove dead hair.
The Rat Terrier is a hardy breed, and long-lived, living an average of 15 to 18 years.
The Rat Terrier is an intelligent, alert, well-rounded, loving dog. They are very inquisitive and eager to please. They respond well and are easy to train. This affectionate dog makes an excellent companion for those who will enjoy an energetic, but not hyperactive, dog.
Rat Terriers are good with children, especially if they are raised with them from puppyhood. They are, for the most part, friendly
with strangers.
Rat Terriers make good watchdogs. These dogs are quick, very playful, and are not yappers. They are also very good swimmers.
Rat Terriers do okay in an apartment, but they need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. They are fairly active and should have at least a small- to medium-sized yard. They love to be inside the house and outside to play.
Rat Terriers love to dig, and they can get out of a fenced yard relatively easily. As long as they have proper protection, they are able to spend a good amount of time outdoors. The breed enjoys challenging games and outdoor romps.
To learn more about the breed, please visit the Rat Terrier Club of America at: https://ratterrierclubofamerica.org/
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