PKC - Rat Terrier

Coat

Solid:

Sable: Any sable combination is accepted in the clear, minimal or classic pattern.

with

tipping is also allowed.
Tan:

with

in any of the patterns.

dogs may also have

markings.
Masking: All of the above may be masked (small or standard mask). The mask can be

and matches pigment type - black in black-based dogs, liver in livers etc.

dogs can be masked with any of the mask colours. Masks are not preferred in all non-tan-marked dogs.
White Markings: The rat terrier must always have some

somewhere on the body and may be solid

all over, but 20-90 % white overall is preferred. Ticking is allowed but the white must be clearly visible.

Eyes

in black-nosed dogz

in dogz with liver and blue pigment.

in isabellas.

is accepted but faulted.

Nose

Follows base colour -

in black,

in liver,

in blues and

in isabellas.
Solid cream/red (45, 105, 65) dogs may have

. If masked, nose colour follows the mask.
For sables, nose colour depends on the tipping colour. Dark brown sables (95) and brown-tipped sables may have

- dogs tipped with black may also have

. Other sables may have

Faults

Mismatched nose and/or eye pigment.
Incorrect tipping/shading colour in a sable (such as black tipping on a liver dog).

Disqualifications

Solid colours other than white. Albinism or brindle.

Varieties

Standard, Miniature

Notes

This breed is allowed to have unmatched ears (f.ex. one up and one tipped over), but matching ears are strongly preferred.

The rat terriers, or 'squirrel dogs' as they have also been called, are excellent hunters for most small game, but especially for squirrels. They work close to the hunter, often yipping which makes them ideal for rabbiting, flushing and for jumping game in brushy regions.
A good rat terrier is said to have the tenacity of the terrier, the nose of the beagle and the speed and eyesight of an italian greyhound. They are known as a type, rather than a breed, and were created about 100 years ago in the US from a wide variety of foundation breeds such as the Fox Terrier and perhaps even Greyhound.

The overall appearance of the rat terrier should be a muscular, active small-to-medium hunting terrier, and should be judged with this in mind. It is preferred to be just slightly longer than tall, with a broad, wedge shaped head and well filled out muzzle. The ears are V-shaped and may be carried erect, tipped or button. The neck is long, clean and slightly arched. The body should have straight topline with a well filled chest. The tail can be naturally bobbed, long or docked.

Breed Files

Filename: SN Rat Terrier
Offset: 0008
Base: Chihuahua
SCP: Chihuahua
Accepted: October 20, 2008
Notes: Standard variety. Addballz ears (three shape variations), tail (three carriage variations and four length variations) and optional liplines.

Filename: CA Rat Terrier
Offset: AD35
Base: Chihuahua
SCP: Dalmatian
Accepted: May 10, 2006
Notes: Standard variety. Has ear and tail length/shape. Angled legs.

Filename: Rat Terrier
Offset: A999
Base: Dalmatian
SCP: Dalmatian
Accepted: January 3, 2006
Notes: Standard variety.

Filename: Rat Terrier
Offset: A999
Base: Dalmatian
SCP: Dalmatian
Accepted: July 14, 2004
Notes: Three ear variations, four tail variations and three size variations. Breed the different sizes together at your own risk. Arrow shows apparent lack of tan - this is due to posture and is NOT faulted. It is not a real lack of tan. Purple outline shows standard variety, red shows miniature. Green shows teddy roosevelt variety.