by
Donna Sullivan, President Rat Terrier Club (UKC)
The
Rat Terrier is a small to medium sized well muscled hunting dog.
In the Rat Terrier, there are two sizes (miniature up to
13" and standard over 13" but not exceeding 18").
They're both coated and hairless. We do not have a toy or giant
size in the Rat Terrier.
In
many breeds - as in the Rat Terrier - you will find similarities - but
it is the differences that distinguishes one breed from another.
(Some examples are: Samoyeds/American Eskimos; Norfolk/Norwich
Terriers; Lhasa Apso/Tibetan Terrier.
Let's
review some of the obvious differences between a Toy Fox Terrier and a
Rat Terrier:
TFT
Size: Classified by weight - by age of 6 months may not weigh
over 7 pounds.
Rat
Terrier: Miniature up to 13" - Standard over 13" and
not over 18".
TFT
body: Appears to be square with height approximate to length.
The backline is strong, straight and firm.
Rat
Terrier body: Slightly longer than height with 10:9 ratio
preferred. The backline is strong and slightly sloping.
TFT
Colors: Predominantly white with acceptable colors of white, &
black with tan trim; white & black; white & tan with specific
markings of black & tan.
Rat
Terrier Colors: Hairless - any skin color is acceptable,
freckles enlarge with age and skin darkens with exposure to the sun.
Coated - White; tri colored (white with patches of black &
tan); bi colors (any combination of black, tan, chocolate, red,
orange, lemon, or blue with white); the white may be any size and
located anywhere on the dog.
TFT
Ears: must be erect when alert; are pointed and well up on the
sides; set close together; not touching nor set too wide.
Rat
Terrier Ears: the V-shaped ears are set on the outside of the
skull and may be erect, tipped or button.
TFT
Eyes: eye set is prominently forward but not bulging; color is
always dark - with as dark as possible preferred.
Rat
Terrier Eyes: eyes are obliquely set; round and small - somewhat
prominent; rim color matches nose pigmentation; color ranges
from dark brown to amber and matches coat color.
TFT
Appearance: a small dog that has conformation, characteristics
and personality of a Terrier.
Rat
Terrier Appearance: a small to medium sized muscular hunting dog
that is evaluated as a working Terrier.
While
these may appear to be subtle differences to the untrained eye, size,
color, body, movement as well as character make each breed unique.
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