SCRAPS Breed Profile RAT

Stats

Country of Origin: Great Britain Group: Terrier Use today: Companion and Rodents & Vermin Hunter Life Span: 15 to 18 years Color: The coat colors include pearls, sables, chocolates, red and white, tri- spotted, solid red, black and tan, blue and white and red brindle. Coat: Short smooth coat. Grooming: The is easy to groom. An occasional combing and brushing to remove dead hair is all it needs. Height: Toy: 8 inches; Mid-sized: 8 - 14 inches; Standard: 14 - 23 inches Weight: Toy: 4 - 6 pounds; Mid-sized: 6 - 8 pounds; Standard: 12 - 35 pounds

Profile

In Brief: This loyal, active and playful breed is at lively, feisty, fearless nature can be found in the its best as a member of its human family, but best of . They are eager to please and may be reserved with strangers. Intelligent and respond and pick training up faster than most trainable, many Rat Terriers excel in Agility and . The Rat Terrier is a very well-mannered, Obedience, events which also serve as excellent well-rounded . It is easy to train, very eager exercise outlets. The breed sheds seasonally to learn and to please its owner. They love to go and requires brushing with a soft brush or rubber with you and to do what you do. They are also curry mitt. very good swimmers, not bashful or afraid and have no problem with the water. They make Description: The Rat Terrier is a well-muscled good farm dogs as well as excellent family dogs dog with a deep chest, strong shoulders, solid for pets and companionship. This hardy dog is neck and powerful legs. Its body is compact but used for hunting expeditions as well as terrier meaty. The ears can be upright or tipped and work. Adult dogs can adjust easily into families are carried erect when the dog is alert. It can be with or without children. Make sure you are this born with a short or full-length tail, each being dog's firm, confident, consistent pack leader to left in its natural state or docked at two days of avoid Small Dog Syndrome, human induced age. The coat colors include pearls, sables, behavior problems that can include territorial chocolates, red and white, tri-spotted, solid red, issues. Always remember, dogs are canines, not black and tan, blue and white and red brindle. humans. Be sure to meet their natural instincts Breeders concerned with working dogs are not as animals. as fussy about the specifics of the looks. Living Conditions: Rat Terriers will do okay in an apartment so long as they get at least 20-30 Temperament: The Rat Terrier is an intelligent, minutes of exercise a day. They are fairly active alert and loving dog. It is very inquisitive and indoors and should have at least a small to lively. This affectionate dog makes an excellent medium-sized yard. Rat Terriers love to dig, and companion for those who will enjoy an energetic they can get out of a fenced yard relatively dog. They are good with children, especially if easily. Provided they have the proper protection, they are raised with them from puppyhood. They they are able to spend a good amount of time are, for the most part, friendly with strangers. outdoors. They love to be inside the house and Rat Terriers make good watchdogs. These dogs outside to play. are quick, very playful and are not yappers. The temperament of these dogs is pure terrier. The Exercise: The Rat Terrier needs a good amount of exercise. This breed needs to be taken on a daily long walk or jog. It should have at least 20- 30 minutes a day, but would enjoy much more. The breed enjoys challenging games and outdoor romps.

Origins: Named by the perceptive Teddy Roosevelt, the Rat Terrier was developed in Great Britain originally from the Smooth and the in 1820. It was brought to the USA in the 1890s. At that time they were all their original color of black and tan. Life Magazine showed President Roosevelt with three black and tan Rat Terriers. American breeders crossed them again with the as well as the and . The Beagle increased bulk, trailing and hunting ability, along with the red color. The Whippet contributed the speed and agility and probably the blue and brindle colors. The smallest variety was derived from the Smooth Fox Terrier and . The Rat Terrier proved to be one of the best in the rat-baiting pits. One Rat Terrier is reported to have killed over 2,501 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.

Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service 6815 E. Trent • Spokane Valley • Washington • 99212 (509) 477-2532 voice (509) 477-4745 fax www.spokanecounty.org/animal