Ratshire Terrier
Breed Rating
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| family friendly: | |
| Dog friendly: | |
| Watch/guard dog: |
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| Energy: | |
| Playfulness: | |
| Exercise needed: | |
| Space needed: |
| Aggressiveness: |
| Tendency to bark: |
| Grooming Requirements: |
| Aggressiveness: | |
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| Tendency to bark: | |
| Grooming Requirements: |
Breed Attributes
General
Breed group: Type: Hybrid Talent: Agility, Hunting, Jogging, Tricks
Physical
Size: Small Weight: 5 - 15 lbs Fur length: Long Ears: Pointy Fur type: Straight Fur Color: Black & Brown, Black & White, Brown & White, Merle / Spotted / Brindle / Speckled
ATTRIBUTES
Life Expectancy: 12 - 16 years Rarity: Uncommon Availability: Hard to find Climate: Good for every climate.
Breed Details
General
The Ratshire Terrier is a mixed breed of the American Rat Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. Two small dogs with hunting backgrounds and great personalities, both the Rat Terrier and the Yorkie, because of their variety in size, have transitioned to being pets and family dogs.
The Rat Terrier was probably a result of crosses between European breeds brought over by immigrants and feists, small hunting dogs native to the southern part of the US. Farmers made good use of their hunting skills by setting them onto the rats and other pests around farms and barns. Eventually they found their way inside the house, where they made a welcome addition to the family.
Yorkies were developed in England in the 1900's, and put to work as ratters in clothing mills. The distinctive Yorkie coat, with its long luxuriant fall and fine, silky texture, is often jokingly said to be woven from the mills.
Color
The Ratshire Terrier's coat is more varied in color, with most common being black tan point with pied spotting, or black tricolor. It can also be bi-color, but the white ground is always present. Other colors may be lemon, apricot, chocolate, and blue, sometimes with an overlay of sable. The Yorkie has more restricted coat colors. Accepted are black and tan/gold, and blue and tan/gold. White is not an acceptable color in this breed, and other colors are thought to be signs of defective genes.
Coat
The Ratshire Terrier may have a short-to-medium coat, or a long coat from the Yorkie. Hair will be straight and grow to an impressive length. There will be no undercoat.
Personality
Bred to live in domiciles and around humans, the Ratshire Terrier is a sweet, active, alert dog that will also be easy living with other animals and pets in the house. It is a trainable dog, and generally obedient if training is started early and kept consistent. It is a sensitive animal, quick to pick up on changes and differences in its surroundings, including its owners moods. Harsh correction will be unnecessary and will damage its personality. It can make a good watch dog, as it does not readily extend friendship towards strangers, and might, in fact, persist in barking if this trait has not been trained out of it.
Care
Early training and socialization are needed for the Ratshire Terrier. It should be exposed to people and a variety of places as soon as possible, to overcome timidity and develop the outgoing aspect of its personality. Intelligent and instinctive, the Ratshire Terrier will sometimes be distractible during training, or seem to have a mind of its own. A little patience and persistence will be needed when this happens.
Training
An active dog but one that also appreciates an occasional laid-back day, the Ratshire Terrier does not demand a high quota of exercise daily. A round of energetic play or fetch in the yard will do, and a walk around the block or to an off-leash park every other day will keep this little dog stimulated and happy.
Activity
An active dog but one that also appreciates an occasional laid-back day, the Ratshire Terrier does not demand a high quota of exercise daily. A round of energetic play or fetch in the yard will do, and a walk around the block or to an off-leash park every other day will keep this little dog stimulated and happy.
