Puppy Love Special Edition - Rat Terrier Breed Info

As owner of Puppy Love, I am beyond thrilled to say that I am, as of far less than 24 hours ago, a new mom to a Rat Terrier named Casey.

Casey is 9 months old and was brought to The Anti-Cruelty Society on April 27.  He is sweet, affectionate, very hyper, and most ready to be in his forever home.  I am anxious about the obedience training he will definitely need.  Anxiety and nervousness, however, take a back seat to how much I adore and love him. 

I adore and love Casey. . .a sentiment of puppy love.

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The Terrier breed is classified along many lines.  The most popular line of the Terrier breed is the Jack Russell, or Parson, Terrier.  Yet every line of the Terrier is different in terms of physical appearance.  The Terrier breed along all lines generally exhibits the same personality and behavior.  Always remember, though, that each individual dog no matter what breed can deter from what it should be.  Casey is a mix and does not look exactly like a Rat Terrier.  He does exhibit his breed's personality.  So let's get to know my pup.

The American Kennel Club describes the Rat Terrier as an American born breed meant to hunt rodents.  In the 1800s, immigrants to the United States crossed Fox Terriers with European Terriers - Bull Terrier, Manchester Terrier, and so on.

Rat Terriers are multi-colored with large patches of color against solid white.  Casey is solid white with large black patches.  Note that other colors include chocolate brown, tan, red, blue, and many other shades.

Dog Breed Info describes the temperament of the Rat Terrier as follows : intelligent, alert, affectionate, energetic, playful, fearless.  I was allowed to take Casey out of his kennel to walk around with him.  Other potential adopters did the same with their desired dogs.  Casey was highly energetic and fearless towards an approaching Saint Bernard and Pit Bull.  He was most affectionate towards me, my mother, and especially my grandmother.  Casey raised up to his hind legs every moment he sensed another dog coming his way.  I note now how exactly Casey matches in behavior to his Rat Terrier/Terrier breed.

Rat Terriers are most known for not being loud barkers or obnoxious yippers.  Casey barked once when he saw a dog being let out of its kennel.  His bark was not loud and he calmed down fairly quickly.  If I can train him to stay calm indoors, I should not have issues with my neighbors!

Dog Breed Info states that Rat Terriers learn quickly (hence their high intelligence) and train well.  As a new mom to a puppy especially, this is very good to know.  Rat Terriers, like many other breeds, are eager to please.  I hope that my relationship with Casey will be a two-way street - I will learn about him and what most interests him and what most disinterests him, and he will learn about me and what makes me happy and pleased and what will make me upset.  I hope he will love me as much as I love him.  The learning process will start immediately and last for time to come.

As with all dogs, training in and out of the classroom requires firmness, consistency, and confidence on the part of the owner and the owner's family.  As a new mom, this rule is particularly important. . .which is why I am so nervous.

Rat Terriers come in three weight classes - toy, medium, and standard.  Casey falls under the standard class.  He currently weighs 12 pounds and The Anti-Cruelty Society prefers he gain 10 or so more pounds.  Therefore, he should weigh no more than 35 pounds.  (See Dog Breed Info for all weight classes.)

Rat Terriers need extensive and daily outdoor exercise.  A long walk will do and playtime outdoors will be fun.  Rat Terriers, however, are fairly active indoors.  As Casey is only 9 months old, outdoor time initially is especially important - more specifically for potty breaks (The Anti-Cruelty Society suggested 8 to 10 times a day for the first month or so!).  When he learns to better control himself and outdoor time isn't as frequent, we will still go on walks.  I, though, will look forward to toy time.  I do not want to completely spoil Casey, but oh the selection of toys!

Dog Breed Info does not indicate major health problems.  Casey's health records did not indicate health problems either.  And. . .I am lucky in owning a Rat Terrier.  This breed's life expectancy is 15 to 18 years.  I want him to be with me and my family for a long time.

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That's it.  A look at the Rat Terrier.  An expected look at my Casey.  Photos will come to Puppy Love soon.  Until then, I wish all dog owners a pawfive and I declare a pawfive to all those looking to adopt.  They will love you more than you will ever know.

Featured adoptions at The Anti-Cruelty Society

Check out my latest article on Examiner - Featured adoptions at The Anti-Cruelty Society.  This article spotlights the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the German Shepherd (both featured in previous articles of mine). 

In this blog entry, I feature two other adoptions listed on Puppy Love - 

One of the first breeds I wrote about on this website was the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.  I had never heard of such a dog when researching.  To my surprise, however, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was close to home.  In my entry - Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in Chicago? - I found Max at The Anti-Cruelty Society.  Max was adorable and perfect. . .too adorable and perfect.  I am thrilled to say that Max has recently found his forever home.  He is a featured adoption on Puppy Love.

And then there is the soft spot entry - Rocko's Eyes.  Rocko is an angel Pit Bull mix that had to be tracked into the Bully Buddy program because of his breed's infamous nature.  Yet the YouTube video posted by The Anti-Cruelty Society (also posted here) shows a gentle, loving, sweetheart flawless to the core.  Someone saw this. . .I am thrilled to say that Rocko has recently found his forever family.  He is a featured adoption on Puppy Love.

If you followed Max and Rocko on Puppy Love or are intrigued by my recent Examiner article, find a pup that will be your own featured adoption at The Anti-Cruelty Society.

Rocko's eyes

The YouTube video below features Rocko - a 2-year-old Pit Bull in The Anti-Cruelty Society's Bully Buddy Program.  All Pit Bulls housed in The Anti-Cruelty Society must be claimed a Bully Buddy simply because of their notorious breed history.

After watching the video about Rocko, I pose the thought,

When you look into Rocko's eyes...

When you look into their eyes. . .

The Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago, Illinois houses abused and neglected dogs and cats.  The majority of injured animals at this shelter are dogs.  Every day, a human being treats their dog without care.  Every day, a dog is handled without love, warmth, and heart.  Every day, there is a case of cruel abuse and neglect.  So let me ask this question.  When you look into their eyes, what do you see?  What do you feel?  What do you hear?

Look into the eyes of Cisco -

  

This precious angel is a 1-year-old Pit Bull/Terrier pup.  He was brought into The Anti-Cruelty Society on December 1, 2010.  Cisco is a new dog in the Society's Bully Buddy Program.  One can only speculate as to why.

What do you see?  What do you feel?  What do you hear?

What did Cisco do to live in The Anti-Cruelty Society?

Look into the eyes of Swanny -

In my interview with PAWS Chicago for my Examiner article, "Favorite Breed 2010," I learned that Swanny is a special dog because while in her foster home, she accidentally bit her parent out of excitement.  PAWS Chicago by policy must inform all potential adopters of this "attack."  Is Swanny a vicious animal undeserving of unconditional love?  One will learn upon further reading of my article that Swanny is not a bad dog because of her bite incident.  She is misunderstood with a true story unknown. . .unknown since May 5, 2010.

When you look into their eyes. . .

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in Chicago?

On November 24, 2010, I wrote my first Puppy Love post on a daily puppy - Riley the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.  This breed has a surreal name with a very real history.  When I wrote about the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, I imagined this dog living deep within the countryside, nearly on land unheard of to urban dwellers. . .

. . .Until I came across The Anti-Cruelty Society in downtown Chicago.

Meet Max -



Max is a 7-year-old knock-out - he is quite handsome if he says so himself.

"When you come to meet me, you won't be able to get over just how cute I am - really, I'm SOOO cute!  I am very inquisitive and friendly, although I'm very shy.  I have to admit I'm a little nervous here at the shelter, but I promise I will be so much more relaxed once in a home.  Because I'm a shy guy, I would do best in a home where any children are older - - little children would be a bit much for a guy like me.  And I would need to meet any other dogs in the family first - - I can be a little selective, but that's okay - - I just want to make sure my new dog roommate and I would be buddies for life.  I'm a smart fellow and obedience training would be great, it would help me feel more confident and be a perfect way for me and you to get to know one another!  I love having my head rubbed and just hanging out with my best friend - - I'm hoping that's you!  I am patiently waiting for you at the Anti-Cruelty Society. . ."

Max has been patiently waiting for his forever home since November 18, 2010.  If you love this cute pup, learn more about adopting at http://www.anticruelty.org/adopt/.