Rat Terriers range from 10-25 lbs., and 13 ½ "-15" in height. Th eir short, smooth coat comes in any variation of pied pat- terning—comparatively large patches of one or more colors in combination with white. Acceptable colors, with or without “tan points,” include the predominant black (or chocolate), red, apricot, blue, fawn, tan or lemon. Th e distinctive color- ing and patterning makes Rat Terriers easy to spot in a field. Beyond being a farm dog, Rat Terri- ers have proven themselves to be a ver- satile, multipurpose breed with a play- ful, happy-go-lucky attitude. They are an all-in-one dog—able to do virtually anything they are trained to do—and they are easily trainable and exception- ally intelligent. They excel in conforma- tion, agility, obedience, rally obedience, weight pull, terrier racing, Earthdog, barn hunt and lure coursing. They are capable of hunting rodents and vermin above and below ground. They make fine therapy and service dogs. And they are loyal friends and companions— especially for families. Whether you live on a farm or in a condo, Rat Terriers are adaptable to almost any lifestyle—as long as they have human companionship. Th ey are unusually sensitive, intuitive, anxious to please, and thrive on praise. Th ey make excellent house dogs and can be crate trained, but they don’t do well in ken- nels, consistently tied up or as “outside only” dogs where they are isolated from people. Th ey are at their best as mem- bers of a human family. Most are patient and tolerant of children, but may be reserved with strangers. Th e breed sheds seasonally and requires brushing with a soft brush or rubber curry mitt. While they are one of the calmest of the terrier breeds, they are nevertheless high-ener- gy, and require exercise, daily walks and lots of companionship. Rat Terrier owners have also pro- nounced characteristics. One of them is a contagious enthusiasm about their breed. If the present trend continues, we predict that in another 10 or 15 years Rat Terriers will be one of the most recogniz- able breeds in the country.
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