How old was the oldest rat terrier?
21-year-
The current title-holder of world’s oldest dog is a 21-year-old rat terrier named Jake.
Are Rat Terriers purebred?
Members of the Rat Terrier dog breed are adorable, little, digging escape artists who are true terriers: feisty, funny, energetic, lively, vermin-chasing, and incapable of being boring. Even though these are purebred dogs, you may find them in the care of shelters or rescue groups.
What was the history of the Rat Terrier?
In the 1920s, Toy Fox Terriers that were too large for their breeding programs were bred with Rat Terriers, resulting in toy-sized, or miniature, Rat Terriers. The Rat Terrier was common on American farms, but populations began to decline in the 1940s and 1950s when farmers began to use poison to control pests and vermin.
How is the Rat Terrier different from other breeds?
Most modern breeds were developed from a few founding dogs and then propagated from a closed gene pool. In contrast, the Rat Terrier has benefited from a long history of refinement with regular outcrosses to bring in useful qualities and genetic variability.
When did the American Kennel Club accept a Rat Terrier?
The Rat Terrier Club of America is the official breed parent club for the American Kennel Club. Rat Terriers were accepted into the AKC’s terrier group June 2012.
How big is a miniature Rat Terrier supposed to be?
The miniature size (13 inches and under as defined by the UKC) is becoming increasingly popular as a house pet and companion dog, but the miniature is still a hunting dog. The standard says “small to medium” and the miniature is small enough to go in and under those places where vermin like to hide.
How did the Rat Terrier get its name?
President Theodore Roosevelt is said to have given the breed its name after his own terrier had eradicated the rat infestation at the White House; clearly, the Rat Terrier excels as a public servant — as long as it’s in his own best interest.
Why are American Rat Terriers the new kid on the block?
Compared to other dog breeds, the American rat terrier is the new kid on the block. They were bred in recent history to help farmers get rid of common rodents and pests that terrorized their farmlands and barns. Like any other dog breed, we always recommend getting to know the rat terrier before bringing one home.
When did the Rat Terrier breed go extinct?
The rat terrier became a common sight among farmers between the 1910s – 1940s. However, when the farmers started using poison to cut down rodent populations, the breed was no longer widespread by the 1950s. Thanks to a few breeders who had sustained the breed, they re-emerged in the late 1970s. They then made a massive comeback in the 1990s.
What’s the difference between a Rat Terrier and a Decker?
The Decker Rat Terrier is a slightly larger dog that excels in hunting and will retrieve from water, while the Hairless Rat Terrier is a smaller dog (that comes in miniature and standard sizes) and, as the name implies, is hairless. Because the Rat Terrier was bred as a working and hunting dog, he has very high energy levels and exercise needs.
