BREED: Rat Terrier

COUNTRY: USA

GROUP: Terrier

SIZE: Toy/Medium/Standard

WEIGHT: 10 lbs. & under; over 10 lbs. to 18 lbs; over 18 lbs.

HEIGHT: up to 23 inches;

COAT: Short, smooth.

COLOR: Tri-spotted, red/white, solid red, solid black/tan, blue/white, red.

TYPE/NAMES: American Rat Terrier

For specific breed standards ( for shows ) contact Universal 845.624.5555. See below for a more detailed standard.

Official-Standard-Rat Terrier/General Description WHICH INCLUDE CLASS A, CLASS B & THE DECKER GIANT BLOODLINE Universal Kennel Club Inter.

EARS-Wedge shaped placed well up on side of head. FLAW spaced too far apart, one up one down, round and bat like.

SKULL-Slightly rounded. FLAW apple or dome head or very narrow skull.

EYES-Almond or oval or round, moderately small, expressive, brown or shaded according with coat color. FLAW Bulging eyes.

MUZZEL-Medium long, muscular cheeks, tapered but not snippy. Distance approximately equal to skull. Moderate stop. FlAW too sharp of a stop like seen in the Chihuahua breed.

NOSE- Black or slate, brown or red shaded according to coat color. FLAW pink or pink spotted, snow nose.

STOP -Moderate, tapered. Not sharp.

BITE/LIPS- Level or scissors with even straight and thin lips. FLAW undershot or overshot bite or large or bulging lips.

BODY-Class A Height approximately the same to the length, Length not to exceed 3" from height Class B for the short leg type, body length not to exceed 3" in proportion to leg length FLAW excessive barrel chest or round body.

NECK-Moderately long, slightly arched, widening into the shoulder, strong and muscular in appearance giving good support to head.

SHOULDERS-Sloping and well arched with good layback.

BACK- Straight and strong. FLAW roached, sway or rounded rump.

TAIL-Carried erect while moving, set high. When docked as a puppy leave approximately 3/4 of an inch on the dog. Adults 2"-2 1/2". FLAW no tail or full tail unless born a natural bob.

BACK LEGS-Strong in thigh, slight angulation in hock. Stifle neither turned in or out. FLAW cow hocked or bowed.

TUCK-Up slightly.

ELBOWS-Held close and perpendicular to body. FLAW turned in or out.

FEET- Oval and compact.

FRONT LEGS-Straight feet pointed forward. FLAW turned in or out. Bow legged.

CHEST-Fairly deep, well ribbed. FLAW too narrow or excessive barrel chested.

COAT-Short, smooth, shiny. FLAW too thin.

COLORS-Black, white, blue, red, apricot, lemon, charcoal, chocolate or liver. Browns: (sable, fawn, tan) Chocolate and liver must have chocolate, liver, or red nose.

MARKINGS-With white, with tan, with white and tan and with black.

PATTERNS-Tri, piebald, bi, Solid, brindle (on face only), pearl(NEW) See WEIGHT-Toy 10lbs. or less. Mini over 10 to 18lbs. Standard over 18 to 28lbs. Decker Giant 28+ to 45lbs.

MOVEMENT-Smooth flowing legs moving straight, agile.

TEMPERMENT: Quiet, playful & keen hunting instincts.

DISQUALIFICATIONS-A dog that cannot be brought under control. Monorchid and Cryptorchid. Brindle on body other than face, merle color.

CHARACTER-Pleasant, easy to get along with, quick, alert, agile. True terrier, a superb ratter. Active outdoors, wonderful house pet, companion and watchdog. Sturdy.

PLEASE NOTE: Class A is of the longer legged-squarer type. Class B is of the shorter legged-stockier type. Both can be shown in the each class. Other standards apply to all.

FLAW MEANS: Points will be taken off a particular trait. It does not mean the dog can not compete.

DISQUALIFICATION MEANS: A dog may not compete in an official show for points.