The Rat Terrier: An Overview
Discover the Rat Terrier: An American original bred for farm work, companionship, and more. Learn about their history, traits, and care.
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An American original with a breed name said to be coined by Teddy Roosevelt, the Rat Terrier is a compact, tough, smooth-coated exterminator dog. The breed comes in two size varieties and are happy-go-lucky, playful, and portable companions.
Discover the Rat Terrier: An American original bred for farm work, companionship, and more. Learn about their history, traits, and care.
Interview with Kerry Lee 2023 MCKC Dog Show Breed Judge. Read about his experience with judging at the prestigious dog show.
Stacy McWilliams is the breeder behind River Ridge Rat Terriers. Read about the kennel’s beginnings, Rat Terrier puppies, and much more!
Tracey A. Kallas is the breeder behind K2 Rat Terriers. Read about the kennel’s beginnings, Rat Terrier puppies, and much more!
Kim Frazier is the breeder behind the Walkabout Australian Kelpies and Rat Terriers. Read about the kennel’s beginnings, the dogs, and more!
While it is very easy to admire a beautiful expression, a nice front, please don’t forget about the rear of the Rat Terrier.
Lindsay Halbach is the breeder behind Riverdale Farm Rat Terriers. Read about the kennel’s beginnings, dogs, puppies, photos and more!
Christina Martinez is the breeder behind Skippin CJ Ranch Rat Terriers. Read about the kennel’s beginnings, dogs, puppies, photos and more!
Dan Sayers is the Editor-in-Chief of SHOWSIGHT digital and print publications. He received a B.S. from Drexel University where he studied interior architectural design. His professional career has allowed him to develop his planning, problem-solving, and project management skills, which were employed in the office, educational, and financial sectors. While working as a project manager, he earned a Graphic Design Certificate from the University of the Arts and began creating ads for many of America’s top-winning show dogs. Through this work, Dan became Editor-in-Chief of the nation’s first online-only dog show publication. His current role expands on this experience and broadly extends to cover the sport of dogs in Companion and Performance events as well as all aspects of Conformation.
Dan is a long-time member of the Irish Water Spaniel Club of America and is the organization’s current AKC Delegate and Archivist/Historian, as well as a club-approved Breed Mentor. From 2000-2010, he was the club’s AKC Gazette Columnist. He breeds Irish Water Spaniels under the Quiet Storm prefix and has judged the IWSCA National Specialty Sweepstakes twice. Dan is a member of the Morris and Essex Kennel Club as well as the Dog Writers Association of America, which recognized his illustrations in the award-winning canine compendium, the Encyclopedia of K-9 Terminology.
The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin?
Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral Program, which is listed on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.
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Showsight Magazine–the world’s most influential purebred dog publication since 1992. Each issue reaches a global audience dedicated to preserving the history and health of purpose bred dogs. Filled with award-winning editorial focused on news and insights from the dog show community, top breeders, handlers, AKC Judges, and more!