Wednesday, September 30, 2009

DRatschats


Here is a wonderful excerpt from a new blog I just found.  This lady is really a special person.  She loves rat terriers, so I know she is a good person.  But she also rescues them and that makes her very special.  Please check out her blog and learn all about her and her babies.



TRIXIE: THE BEGINNING
I did not set out with the intention of being an animal rescuer, I just kind of stumbled into it. On April Fool’s day, 1998, a friend’s Rat Terrier had puppies and since I had been planning to get a dog to replace my Scottie, she offered one of the puppies to me. It wasn’t long after bringing this little whirlwind into my home that I realized what a wonderful breed the Rat Terrier is.

By the time Scooter was a year old, I was looking to add a second Ratty to my family. My friend offered me a puppy from her upcoming litter, one that would be related to Scooter. I was excited about this pending addition to the family, dreaming of the puppy breath, tiny paws, little licks, big puddles, chewed shoes and wakeful nights. The ten weeks of waiting before my puppy would be available seemed like an eternity.

I’ve always been a dog lover and with my introduction to the Internet in the mid 90's, I found myself often cruising shelter and rescue web sites, looking at dogs that were rescued and dogs in need of rescue. As I wandered through these sites one night, I found the cutest pair of Rat Terriers in a shelter right in my own state. They had been in the shelter for several weeks, having come in together but remained unadopted due to the preference to place them together. Many people wanted one cute, active little dog but it seems no one was interested in taking on two at a time.

For a week I returned to the site, looking at the two little Rat girls, hoping someone would have adopted them but they were always there, the smaller with her tongue lolled out, ears back, bouncing toward the photographer. They were in a low-kill shelter and not at immediate risk, but I began to worry about them>>read more here
DRatschats
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009


I was out walking Satchmo the other day and I realized, kind of "all of a sudden", that my little man was looking old. I noticed all the grey hair on his face, muzzle, and head. I noticed that is walk was less energetic and sometimes looked painful. I realized that he has quit jumping up on the bed or onto most of the furniture; I have been lifting him up when I want him to sit with me.

I found this realization most distressing. Although I know from his last vet exam that he is very healthy and all of his lab work was normal, time is passing and aging takes it's toll no matter what. This has depressed me. Now I have something brand new to worry about.

This breed is relatively long-lived, living between 11 and 15 years on average. Satch is 9 going on 10. I guess I will have to face this fact and begin planning for the future. I know that I will do whatever I have to do to make him comfortable and to accommodate his needs. He is my "baby" and will be no matter how grey or infirm he becomes.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Rat Terrier: Dog Breeds, Info and Pictures

I keep finding really good sites that describe these wonderful little dogs.  I wholeheartedly recommend this breed for anyone looking to have a loyal, loving, enjoyable companion.  There are some negatives to this breed, but overall, they are the best!  If you ever bond with a Rattie, you will never want any other type of dog.

Anyway, below is an excerpt from CanineCrib.com that I hope you will visit and read the excellent information they have available about this breed as well as many other dog breeds.


Country: United States
Size: Toy 4-6lb, 8in - Min 6-8lb, 8-14in - Stan 12-35lb, 36-56in
Temperament: Alert
Grooming: Little
Recognition: UKC, CKC, NKC, UKCI, ACR, APRI

History - The Rat Terrier, popular in the 1800’s with the English miners was used to kill the rats found in the mine shafts and the shacks where the miners slept. The miners bet on which dog would kill the most rodents, and also used them in dog-fighting. These game were a popular pastime for the English miners.Once known as “feists” for their feisty nature, the dogs were a cross between several breeds: the Smooth Fox Terrier, The Manchester Terrier and the white English Terrier, long since extinct. Over time, they were also paired up with the whippet, and the greyhound to induce great speed and stamina. The beagle was introduced in the line to sharpen hunting skills.Teddy Roosevelt hunted with his Rat Terriers earning them the distinction of being called Teddy Roosevelt Terriers. But as time passed they were simply known again as Rat Terriers.There are two types of Rat Terriers- a short-legged Rat Terrier believed to have been crossed with either Corgis or Dachshunds. The short-legged terrier was the one favored by Teddy Roosevelt.Over time, they were also paired up with the whippet or the greyhound to induce great speed and stamina, and the beagle was also introduced in the line to sharpen the hunting skills. This gave way to the long- legged Rat Terrier capable of great speed and stamina. These Rat Terriers are used by hunting and sporting enthusiasts.Appearance - The Rat Terrier has a thick, short-haired shiny coat. They are suitable for trailing and exposing game birds and hunting jackrabbits or squirrels. Their Heads are braod and ears a V-shaped. The ration of length to height is 10:9 with short legged dogs disqualifying in the show ring. They are good-natured, active and intelligent dogs with a nose for scenting and speed and grace for the chase.Description - The Rat Terrier seems always alert and are a very active breed, think of the the Jack Russell Terrie and multiply him by 2! When not hunting however, the Rat Terrier is a great companion, getting alone with children, other dogs and even cats. The breed was defined and accredited in 1995 with a breed standard being written and faithfully maintained by conscientious breeders today.
Color - Variety of Colors
Life Expectancy - 11-14 years
Other Names - American Rat TerrierRat Terrier
 Reviews
Grooming (90%)
 Exercise (90%)
Feeding (90%)
 Temperament (100%)
Watchdog (100%)

Rat Terrier: Dog Breeds, Info and Pictures
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