We are dedicated to the preservation and betterment of the remarkable RT breed, and our efforts are geared to the responsible creation of only strong built, sturdy boned, even tempered, and conformationally exceptional representatives. We have gone to great lengths to acquire extensive and varied bloodlines.

According to the RAT breed standard, dogs up to 13” at the shoulder are miniatures, and dogs greater than 13” at the shoulder up to 18” at the shoulder are standards. The average size range of the majority of our RTs is around 14” at the shoulder. However, we have some that are slightly smaller and some that are slightly larger.

All colors and earsets known to the RT breed are represented in our dogs, and we do have some natural bobtails. Those of our RTs born with either full tails or natural bobtails greater than the standard length are docked to the standard length immediately after birth.

We socialize our puppies very carefully from day-one with lots of love, training, stimulating play, and positive reinforcement.

Although it is still considered a rare breed, the RAT is quite an old breed having originated in England during the 1820s as an eradicator of vermin and hunter of a wide variety of game. The documented founding breeds of the RAT include the now extinct White English Terrier, the now extinct Black and Tan Terrier, the now extinct All White English Bull Terrier, the Fox Terrier, the Manchester Terrier, the Beagle, the Italian Greyhound, the English Toy Terrier, among numerous other grand canines. RATs have been very popular in America over the past 100 years and highly prized for their many noble qualities. After countless generations of being valued family pets, the RAT has become a famously easy going and accepting companion dog. In the field, RTs are not only capable of sight-hunting, but also ground- and air scent-tracking. RATs are often loosely referred to as “feists”, which is a common term denoting any small, spirited terrier-like dog. The RT of today has retained its hunting instincts and working abilities from its rich utilitarian heritage. Their ratting talents rival any cat’s, and their hunting, treeing, and go-to-ground prowess continues to amaze us. Beyond these roles as well as the role of being a cherished companion, the loveable and talented RAT is now also frequently found performing in mainstream media, search and rescue work, therapy work, and a wide range of other different capacities.

You will find that RAT Terriers exceed all other breeds of dogs in the virtues of being loving, playful, friendly, loyal, inquisitive, eager to please, hard working, self thinking, quick witted, and therefore, highly trainable. But in order to foster these fine qualities, you must correctly socialize and train your RT with patience, love, consistence, and positive reinforcement from very early puppyhood.

It is vital that you keep your RAT actively involved in your daily life. RATs live for the company of their masters and will not do well without it. RATs enjoy the indoors just as much as they enjoy the outdoors, and you can’t hardly ask for a better house pet than a well trained RAT. They make excellent lap dogs and foot warmers! Of course you should provide your RT with at least a minimal amount of daily exercise, but RATs are NOT AT ALL characteristically hyperactive. Rather, they are only as active as their owners. RATs are thoroughly well known for getting along beautifully with children, different people, and all other animals – anyone and anything they are positively socialized with. RATs are uncommonly patient yet exuberantly rugged playmates with children. BUT In order to avoid injuries, though, no child should ever be left unsupervised with any animal until the child is old enough to understand how to properly handle it with care and respect. And in order for any dog of any breed to be reliably well behaved with children, different people, and other animals, it must be frequently and positively socialized with them from a young age. Moreover, the RT may very well be the best breed of dog for basically any person or family that is a suitable candidate for dog ownership. In addition to its exceedingly agreeable temperament and high degree of trainability, the RT’s smooth, short hair coat, small size, hardiness, available energy, and mellow demeanor provide for minimal grooming, inexpensive care, and ready traveling.

The RT is truly one of the most healthy and sound pure dog breeds you will find today! It does not ordinarily suffer from most of the severely crippling and fatal genetic defects that typically afflict numerous other breeds. There are very few breed-specific health issues known to the RT. Most documented health concerns are generally cosmetic faults and curable or treatable issues. Occasionally in this breed, we may see a case of Demodectic Mange (a non-contagious skin irritation, which usually self-resolves without any treatment), a malocclusion (an underbite, an overbite, or a wrymouth, which are essentially cosmetic), a case of Patellar Luxation (looseness in one or both knees, which is typically minor and treatable), a case of Legg Calve Perthes (a very rare hip condition, which is treatable), a cardiac murmur (a heart condition, which is usually minor and self-resolving), a hernia (umbilical or inguinal, these are most often harmless and self-resolving), or a small number of other conditions ordinarily seen in most breeds of dogs.