Rat Terrier dogs got their name from the White House
Yes, believe it or not, these Rat Terriers got their name starting in the White House within which president’s term? This president owned a dark-colored puppy that was well known for eradicating rats in the White House. I have already experienced it with my little Rat Terrier many times and in fact he has caught and destroyed two rats this year outside my house.
This breed of dog makes excellent hunting dogs and they are very fast, which makes their prey very vulnerable, especially if it is a cottontail rabbit that is inside a fenced area like my own backyard looking for the hole entry to make an extremely fast exit with my rat terrier on the tail of the cottontail rabbit that does not end in a very good situation for the poor rabbit
My rat terrier is named Starr and he is a very intelligent pet, which means he learns and trains very well. I had her turn around for treats within two weeks after I decided that I was going to teach her that easy trick that I have already taught several of my previous dogs and that only takes a few weeks for my dogs to understand. completely and perform it for me. The trick when I just say “Turn around” or just turn my hand in a circular motion and the dogs will respond with a quick turn and then want to be rewarded with a treat.
Rat terriers originated in Great Britain, where they developed from a cross between a Terrier and a Smooth Fox Terrier in 1820. Adult dogs weigh around 10 to 25 pounds. and stand about 13 or 18 in. tall at the shoulders and miniatures or about 13 inches. And below. There is a much larger strain that weighs more than 25 pounds. and they are called Decker Giants, named after breeder Milton Decker, who created a larger breed for a hunting companion.
Rat Terriers are really energetic and they need some kind of activity to keep them active to help them burn off some of their accumulated daily energy, such as exercising when going out and running and playing is a daily requirement to help with excess energy. Training these dogs is very easy compared to other breeds. Of all the different breeds of dogs that I have had so far in my life, they are all smart enough to understand my commands if I teach them with a daily repetition and if I don’t try to overload the teaching at once and do it. Never completely give up on the dog because eventually he will come to understand you if you train him correctly and properly.
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States in 1904, was the one with the little dark-colored terrier who was cleaning up the rats in the White House, what about that? Teddy the Rough Rider!
But, for Rat Terriers, you don’t have to teach them too much about hunting, especially rats, but you might have a problem with them chasing cats because my Starr hates cats to pieces!