VALERIE LUCHSINGER - VICE PRESIDENT
My first Rat Terrier was acquired back when I was a child over 30 years ago. At the time, I didn’t think a “Rat Terrier” was even a real breed! I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was a recognized breed in UKC during my search for a small breed that was easy to maintain and durable now that I had my own children.
About 13 years ago, I purchased my first show dog… “Jessie the Chessie”! Jessie was the first dog I trained and showed in conformation, titled in obedience, and trained for hunting. As Chesapeake Bay Retrievers typically are, Jessie was an avid swimmer and great retriever (of dummies… not birds)! Jessie became my “demo dog” while teaching group and private obedience lessons for 2 years here in central Ohio.
A year after acquiring Jessie, as my hunt training interests were developing, I decided to purchase my first German Shorthaired Pointer. I enjoyed showing, obedience, and hunt training for the next few years with my GSP, but found I had to reduce my dog activities as my 2 children came along beginning 10 years ago. Showing was the less time intensive activity while working fulltime as a computer programmer analyst (for 16 years now) and raising 2 young children with my husband.
I soon experienced multiple energetic, large breed dogs were difficult to care for and mix in with my family that included 2 toddler children. Thus began the search that led me to the rat terriers, with my foundation female, Kali, being purchased 6 years ago from King Pen Kennels located in California, which started Ratitatt Rat Terriers. For the past 6 years, I’ve enjoyed being a hobbyist exhibitor and breeder, gradually leaving the GSP breed, and growing to 6 Rat Terriers. It’s been a rewarding experience with my growing pack of Rat Terriers and the offspring they have produced, earning UKC Grand Champion titles, Best in Show titles, and positions on the UKC Top Ten list!
I am now starting to focus on training and competing in agility with my limited available time. The Rat Terrier breed is so naturally ideal for agility, several of my puppy buyers have interested me in trying out this activity. I am finding agility to be great fun and rewarding for both the trainer/handler and the dog! The great thing about agility is that one can choose to become as involved as time and effort permits… It’s possible to compete at the National level such as Woody (a dog I bred that is currently ranked #6 for rat terriers in AKC agility) or just for fun at various local agility trials offered in a wide range of venues (UKC, AKC, USDAA, CPE, Teacup).
In addition to my dog activities, I’m currently working as a team leader for supporting and training users on the computer system at OSU Veterinary Hospital, married and raising my 2 children now 6 years old and 10 years old. I volunteered to be the Brownie leader and Treasurer for my daughter’s Girl Scouts troop, attend Boy Scout meetings with my son, and take my kids to their various sports activities such as soccer and basketball. I’m frequently combining my dog interests with my children, who have enjoyed UKC Junior Handling and helping in the show ring on occasion, and now want to learn how to handle in agility once I have my first agility dog ready to compete in a trial.
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