OT - Tell Me About Rat Terriers, Please

BlaineCGarverakaTubbyTuba · Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:33 pm

I'm getting the idea that I could maybe run a rabbit or find a grouse with a miniature Ratty......I need something small so it can ride on the scoot with me......

phlatnose · Post by **phlatnose** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:39 pm

Take a look at a Jack Russel. Do a web search on them. They are fast, intelligent, and just about the toughest dog there is.

ScottT · Post by **ScottT** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:39 pm

I love rat terriers. Best little dog out there. There is a lot of heart in that little body.

I have owned 4 in my life and they enriched it greatly.

The first was Spot. He came along when I was in Kintergarten and died when I was in High School. My constant hunting companion and he would not back down from anything. I miss him.

Buffboy · Post by **Buffboy** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:42 pm

TTT, I don't know anything about the breed, but if it's gonna ride the scoot get something that covers it's ears. If you don't you're gonna have a deaf dog real quick from wind noise.

DerekR · Post by **DerekR** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:45 pm

My grandfather/grandmother were never without a Rat Terrier. They all had the hearts of a much bigger dog. I remember one that weighed about 7-8 pounds that would routinely kill large possums and coons around their farm. Good little dogs.

model55 · Post by **model55** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:59 pm

Good smart dogs just do not come with reverse-they are the alpha dog no matter what.Lost mine two years ago and plan on getting another when I retire!

BlaineCGarverakaTubbyTuba · Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:30 pm

I like terrors, er, terriers anyway......I've never heard anything bad about a ratty.....I had a Cairn mix for 17 years and up until the end, Old Oreo would rather die than lose or back down from anything......

don Tomás · Post by **don Tomás** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:38 pm

This is our Rex. We lost him to cancer about 3 years ago when he was 5 years old. Strictly an outside dog, he defended the homestead with every fiber of his being; be it raccoons, squirrels, deer, UPS guys or whatever. He even chased off a bear once. He was named "Rex" which was short for Tyrannosaurus Rex (because that's what he thought he was - he didn't know he was only one & a half feet tall!). His successor, Toro, is also a Rat Terrier (a cousin by the same local breeder) and is following nicely in Rex's footsteps. I highly recommend the breed...
Tom

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:37 am

I'd go with "the rat". My in-laws have a Jack Russell, and they can be a bit high-strung and hard to train. Not saying they are all that way... dogs are like people, with their own individual personalities.

Post by **Hobie** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:00 am

Blaine,

All the terriers seem to be great breeds. I'm one of those people that prefers getting a bitch and having her spayed. Generally, her temperment will work better with mine than a male. Sort of the opposite of the human world...

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:05 am

Rat Terriers are great little dogs. We had several while I was growing up. They are great little rabbit and squirrel dogs.

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:40 am

The toy-sized rat terrorists were crossed with Chihuahuas to get their size down, so keep that in mind. Normal Rat Terriers are small enough.

BlaineCGarverakaTubbyTuba · Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:49 pm

My little Terror was my Daughter's Terrier/Princess/DressUpDoll for quite a lone time

When He became mine after Daughter left, we had to have a series of serious talks before He decided to be MY little Terror, but never really got him really trained very well. I really want to get a mini-rat (not toy). I envision a strong willed, fixed male, that will recognize me as Alpha Dude and be fearless and well behaved.

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:24 pm

My first dog was a rat mix we got from the pound. Smartest dog I have ever had and real fearless. He lived to be almost 20.

Poohgyrr · Post by **Poohgyrr** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:00 pm

My partner at work got one a few years ago and it's now his best friend. Before that, it was German Shepards, which are still favorites - but I see the rat terrier is his bud.

It'd be fun to see how the ratty and our Lhasa get along; both think they are the Boss......

Grizzly Adams · Post by **Grizzly Adams** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:24 pm

phlatnose wrote:Take a look at a Jack Russel. Do a web search on them. They are fast, intelligent, and just about the toughest dog there is.

+1 for the JRT. Jack Russells are wonderful companions and know no equal as a critter hunting, woods walking partner. They are tough as nails, and always merry and playful. I have owned JRTs for many years now, and can not imagine being without one. Currently I have Little Joe and Jackie. Mindy passed on two years ago. She's under the big Juniper - still keeping an eye on me, I suppose.