RAT TERRIER BREED STANDARD

Be advised that this is a brief description of what the PERFECT Rat Terrier should look like. Now we all know that there is no such thing as the PERFECT dog but I would hope that ALL breeders have that goal in mind when they decide to breed their dog.
It appears that every registry decided to make their own set of rules for the Rat Terrier breed therefore it is very important that you check with the registry that your dog is registered with for the correct breed standard of that registry.
Let's start with a list of the major registries that are associated with the Rat Terrier
You can click on the registries names to go to their website but be advised that their link will NOT bring you back here.
THE PERFECT CLASS A RAT TERRIER IS: (RTCI/ACR Standard)
  • Square Bodied - They are the same height as they are in length measured from the ground to the top of withers and from the base of the tail to the juncture of the neck and shoulder but no more than 2 inches longer than they are tall.
  • Proportional - They should be the same in height from ground to point of elbow and from point of elbow to top of withers.
  • Wedge-(V)- shaped ears set well up on side of head. Can be erect, buttoned or tipped.
  • Eyes should be almond, oval or round.
  • Muzzle should be approximately the same length as skull is wide.
  • Tail should be set high and carried erect while moving.
  • Coat should be short, smooth and shiny.
  • Temperament should be quite but with keen hunting instincts.
  • Character should be friendly, alert, quick and agile.
  • They should be a sturdy little dog, a true terrier, be a companion, house pet and watchdog all rolled into one.
  • Weight - They should weigh within 1 pound per inch of height.
  • SIZES - Toy - up to and including 11 pounds ... Miniature - 12 to 18 pounds ... Standard - 19 to 28 pounds ... Decker Giant - 29 pounds and over.
TEDDY ROOSEVELT TERRIER
Formerly known as:
Class B Rat Terrier

THE PERFECT Teddy Roosevelt Terrier IS: (RTCI/ACR Standard)
  • Short legged and longier bodied - They are 2-3.5 inches longer in length than height measured from the ground to the top of withers and from the base of the tail to the juncture of the neck and shoulder.
  • Proportional - They should be the same height from ground to point of elbow and from point of elbow to top of withers.
  • Wedge-(V)- shaped ears set well up on side of head. Can be erect, buttoned or tipped.
  • Eyes should be almond, oval or round.
  • Muzzle should be approximately the same length as skull is wide.
  • Tail should be set high and carried erect while moving.
  • Coat should be short, smooth and shiny.
  • Temperament should be quite but with keen hunting instincts.
  • Character should be friendly, alert, quick and agile.
  • They should be a sturdy little dog, a true terrier, be a companion, house pet and watchdog all rolled into one.
  • Height - They should be 6-14 inches tall measured from ground to top point of withers.
  • Weight - They should weigh within 3 pound per inch of height.
  • SIZES - Toy - up to and including 11 pounds ... Miniature - 12 to 18 pounds.

(NOTE*)  A Teddy Roosevelt Terrier should be recognizable at first glance that it is a Teddy and should NOT have to be measured to be known to be one.