THE RAT TERRIER BREED
THE RAT TERRIER BREED STANDARD (OFFICIAL AKC) GENERAL APPEARANCE The Rat Terrier was originally bred for ratting and farm work. A multipurpose companion dog that is capable of hunting rodents and vermin above and below ground, and to course small game. He is a sturdy, compact, small-to-medium sized parti-colored dog giv- ing the appearance of elegance and fitness, denoting speed, power and balance. Honorable scars or a couple of broken or missing canines or incisors teeth are not to be faulted. The following is a description of the ideal Rat Terrier. Variations are penalized to the extent of the deviation. SIZE Rat Terriers, six months of age or older, should measure between 10 inches and 18 inches at the withers. • Any dog measuring less than 10 inches or any dog over 18 inches are to be Disqualified.
SUBSTANCE Moderate bone in proportion to size. A well-balanced, hard- muscled dog with smooth lines under taut skin. This dog should not be rangy nor fine boned and toyish, and never bulky or coarse. They are shown in good, hard physical working condition.
HEAD The HEAD resembles a smooth, blunt wedge from a front or profile view. When seen from the front, the head widens gradually towards the base of the ears in an unbroken line and is well filled up under the eyes. The EXPRESSION is intelligent, alert and full of interest.
PROPORTION The Rat Terrier is just slightly longer than tall.
The height, measured vertically from the ground to the high- est point of the withers, is slightly less than the length, measured horizontally from the point of the shoulders to the point of the buttocks. Shortness in leg is a serious fault.
The EYES are not large. They are obliquely set wide apart and are oval in shape. Eye color varies with coat color from darkest brown to hazel. Eye rim pigmentation corresponds with nose color and facial markings. Gray eyes are acceptable in blue or blue-fawn dogs only, being a serious fault in other colorations. Any blue in the eye(s) is a disqualification.
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