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Sweet Lucy's Main Sections Rat Terrier Pages
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Rat Terrier
Smooth coated terriers, known as Feists (Old English White Terrier x Smooth Fox Terrier x Manchester Terrier), were brought to America in the 1890's from England. The Americans mixed in more Smooth Fox Terrier along with Beagle and Italian Greyhound. This American breed became known as the the Rat Terrier. Rat Terriers have been described as having the tenacity of the terrier, the "cold" nose of the Beagle and the speed, eyesight, and gentleness of the Italian Greyhound. They come in three sizes and in many colors. Their short coat needs little grooming. Rat Terriers are intelligent, alert, loving, sweet, easy-going, inquisitive, lively, active, always on the move, energetic, quick, excel in agility and fly ball, affectionate, excellent companions, loyal, faithful, responsive to owner, good with children if raised with them, playful, generally friendly, may be reserved or aloof with strangers, like to dig, like to chew, can be vociferous with growling and snarling, good watchdogs, sensitive to noises, protective, hunters, ratters, have natural prey drive, fearless, feisty, territorial, and stubborn. Rat Terriers are hard workers and loyal lifetime companions. They are always willing to do whatever you do and go wherever you go. Rat Terrier owners like to describe their dogs' attitude with the word rattitude. RTs are also often lovingly called bRats by their owners. Does this mean RTs have brattitude as well? :o) President Theodore Roosevelt owned several of these feisty terriers. He used them for game hunting and for killing rats in the White House. He called these dogs Rat Terriers because of their excellent ratting abilities. Rat Terriers have also been called Teddy or Roosevelt Terriers after their famous owner. UKC recognition: Rat Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1999. On the same date, UKC recognized the American Hairless Terrier as the "Rat Terrier - Hairless Variety". The short legged Rat Terrier became known as the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier. On January 1, 2004, UKC allowed the American Hairless Terrier to separate from the Rat Terrier. UKC now recognizes the AHT as a breed of its own. AKC recognition: Rat Terrier is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club but Rat Terrier has been eligible for the AKC Foundation Stock Service registration since 2004. Full AKC recognition is expected in the next few years. See some photos of Rat Terriers on the Rat Terrier Friends pages. For Rat Terrier web links, Rat Terrier books and gifts, go to the Rat Terrier Links page.
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Meet
the Rat Terrier