COMPARISON OF AKC AND UKC RAT TERRIER BREED STANDARDS
EYES
BOTH SAY THE HINDQUARTERS SHOULD BE MUSCULAR.
AKC - ‘Oval’ Eye Shape • Eye color must align with coat color; • Eye color can vary with coat color, but eye rims and nose color must match; • ANY blue in eyes is a DQ; • Gray eyes are accepted in diluted dogs only, but are a serious fault in other colorations.
UKC - ‘Round’ Eye Shape • Eye color must align with coat color; • Eye color can vary with coat color, but eye rims and nose color must match; • Both eyes must match; • Wall or China eyes are faults; • Light eyes in dogs with dark-colored coats is a fault; • Bulged eyes are also faulted in UKC.
COLORS Comparison: Both AKC and UKC disqualify, aka DQ, merle, brindle, and absence of white. Both DQ the absence of white but vary in descriptions. AKC states an amount of white must be on the forechest or body and must not be less than one (1) inch at its widest point, adding “a few white hairs does not constitute an acceptable marking.” UKC only says the “absence” of white is a DQ. • UKC: Some accepted colors in UKC are not accepted in AKC. Isabella (aka Pearl) is a good example. UKC does not list Red as a color, but it clearly lists Fawn as a fault. UKC also lists Albinism. • AKC: Lists colors via color codes that are very exact. AKC lists white as the first color in every dog. To some, this could be misleading. For example, a black and white dog, with only the minimum of allowed white, would be listed as white and black. Many dog people have become accustomed to naming colors in order of the prominence of colors on that dog, i.e., white, black, and tan would suggest the dog is mostly white, followed by black, and lastly, tan. Tan being the least prominent color on this dog. The color codes are not mentioned in the AKC written Standard. AKC lists Red and Fawn as acceptable colors. FOREQUARTERS UKC: Shoulders are smoothly muscled. The shoulder blades are well-laid-back, with the upper tips fairly close together at the withers. The upper arm appears to be equal in length to the shoulder blade and joins it at an apparent right angle. The elbows are close to the body. Viewed from any angle, the forelegs are straight, strong, and sturdy in bone. The pasterns are strong, short, and nearly vertical. AKC: The shoulder blades are well-laid-back, with flat muscles providing enough space between the shoulder blades to allow for free movement. The shoulder blades and the upper arms are nearly equal in length and are well-set-back so that the elbows fall directly under the highest point of the shoulder blade. The depth of the body at the elbow is the same distance as from the elbow to the ground. The forelegs stand straight and parallel, with elbows turning neither in nor out. Comparison: Both Standards list shoulders that are well-laid-back. Both say smooth or flat muscled, allowing free and easy movement. Both claim that upper arm and shoulder blade should be nearly (or appear) equal in length. Both state that dogs should have nice straight forelegs, viewed from any angle. UKC says elbows should be close to body, i.e., not out. AKC also says that legs should be parallel, and elbows turn neither in nor out. FEET UKC: The feet are compact and slightly oval in shape. The two middle toes are slightly longer than the other toes. Toes may be well-split-up, but not flat or splayed. Front dewclaws may be removed. Rear dewclaws must be removed. Faults: Flat Feet; Splayed Feet; Rear Dewclaws Present. AKC: The pasterns are slightly sloping when viewed from the side. The feet are oval in shape. The toes turn neither in nor out, are compact, moderately arched, with thick pads and strong nails. The front dewclaws may be removed.
Comparison: Both Standards suggest nice compact feet, oval in shape. AKC says that toes should not point in or out. Both say front dew- claws can be removed and both state that rear dewclaws must be removed. (AKC mentions rear dewclaws under Hindquarters.) UKC lists flat and or splayed feet as a fault. HINDQUARTERS UKC: The hindquarters are muscular, with the length of the upper and lower thighs being approximately equal. The angulation of the hindquarters is in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. The stifles are well-bent, and the hocks are well-let-down. When the dog is standing, the short, strong rear pasterns are perpendicular to the ground, and viewed from the rear, parallel to one another. AKC: The hindquarters are muscular but smooth and in balance with the forequarters. They should not be bulging or coarse. Stifles are well-bent, with short hocks that are paral- lel and perpendicular to the ground. The hind feet, although slightly smaller, are similar to the front feet. Rear dewclaws are removed. Comparison: UKC Standard says that upper and lower thighs should be approximate- ly equal in length. AKC does not compare. Both say the hindquarters should be muscular. Both suggest well-bent stifles. Both say, when standing, the hock should be perpendicular (right-angled) to the ground. Both state that, from the rear, hocks should be parallel. TAIL UKC: The tail is set-on at the end of the croup. A docked or natural bob tail is pre- ferred, but a natural tail is not a fault. Dock- ing should be between the second and third joint of the tail. The natural tail is thick at the base and tapers toward the tip. When the dog is alert, the tail is carried in an upward curve. When relaxed, the tail may be carried straight out behind the dog. Faults: Bent Tail; Ring Tail.
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