The Rat Terrier:
a Breed or a Strain?*

Until recently the Rat Terrier had been without a breed standard. Technically without a "standard", there can be "No Breed"...thus the Rate Terrier has been considered as a "strain" of Smooth Fox Terrier. This is the primary reason why there is very little written about the breed.

The Rat Terrier Club of American has changed this. Through nationwide correspondence between breeders, fanciers, and numerous questionnaires and breed surveys; an accredited standard for the breed was finally written.

The RTCA breed standard accurately describes the majority of the Rat Terrier breed as it exists in America today. The RTCA is a nationally recognized parent club for our breed, with this breed standard being used as "the standard" by which our breed should be bred and is currently being judges by ARBA, WWKC LTD., AKC, et al.

For decades the Rate Terrier has almost exclusively been used for hunting small game or simply kept as a pet. This working Terrier is a utility breed that has been bred for purpose and has never been "fashioned by fashion".

Renowned for their ability to see, hear and smell as well as for their instincts for treeing squirrels, Rat terrier's are synonymous with "squirrel dog", but they are very adept and will hunt almost anything. They will keep a treed or cornered varmint motionless by continually circling, jumping and barking until the hunter arrives. it is their natural hunting instincts and pleasure hunting that has primarily kept this breed from becoming extinct.

Rat Terriers are versatile and have a tendency to check-back and sweep from side to side, working close within shotgun range of 40-60 yards like that of the Spaniels, which makes them excellent for most upland game. They are great for locating dead birds and cripples, but some will even take to water to retrieve ducks.

A short chase of about 200 yards and the high shrill "yipping" is natural to the breed and this hunting behavior makes them ideal for rabbiting, flushing and for jumping game in brushy regions. When a Rat terrier does chase after quarry, they'll usually return when called and need not be "pulled" from a hole unless they become stuck. Game wardens and state troopers in several states, are reportedly using Rat Terriers as their daily companions in the field instead of larger hound breeds.

A true American hunting terrier with the tenacity of the terrier combined with the drive, pack sense and nose of the Beagle, and the speed, eyesight and gentleness of the Italian Greyhound. These combined merits of both the terrier and hounds gives the American Rat Terrier a unique temperament uncommon in most Terrier breeds.

Popular in the late 20's-40's. Rat Terriers are both intelligent and obedient, and are widely used by farmers and rural residents as a general purpose dog around the farm or ranch. A dedicated family dog, a watch dog, even as a herding dog as well as a rodent and varmint dog. While not usually quarrelsome nor aggressive, Rat Terriers are protective and aggressive hunters.

* NOTE: This information has been contributed by, and is property of The Rat Terrier Club of America, and is gratefully used here with permission..

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