Hi,  I just found your site this morning, while researching for a dog I'm considering fostering.  I am an 'Australian Cattle Dog person', and know nothing of Rat Terriers, other than the little ed I've gotten online this morning.  This adult, neutered dog caught my eye, because he had coloring similar to an ACD (Blue Heeler) and I thought perhaps he was a terrier/ACD mix...however, after spending the morning looking at pics on the web, he *really* looks like a rat terrier to my untrained eye.  No cattle dog here!  He's very attractive, prick ears, long tail, white body with black patches (what you call piebald? I guess), tan markings on belly and legs, with white ticking in the tan.  He is in a no-kill shelter in southern AL  Anyone who is near enough to take a look?  I'll try to get a pic to post this week.  I do not work for the shelter, just interested in fostering.  After meeting him twice, he seems to have a nice temperament --otherwise, I don't believe they would consider him as a pet candidate.  However, I do have a preschooler in my home, and what I've read this morning raises concerns about bringing a rat terrier home to foster, with a small child in the house.  I gather they often are not suitable for homes with young children?

Thank for reading,

Pip

If he is in a no-kill shelter then he's safe, correct? I mean he's not in danger of euthanasia?

If you could post a picture of him it would help us see if he was a rat terrier. 

But to answer your question on small children and rat terriers - many members on this forum have both small children and ratties.   There are some ratties, like any other breed, who may not be suitable to live with small children but for the most part they do well with them.  It all depends on the adults making sure the children are not left unsupervised with the dog, the dog knowing it's boundaries and getting general good leadership from the adults in the family.

I have a male rat terrier that I'm fostering for Ratbones right now and he loves small children!  A little girl about 4 years old ran up to him one day when we were walking, she threw her arms around him and hugged and kissed him - he stood very still and kissed her.  When he hears children playing he wants to go be with them, too.

Thanks for the response.  Yes, he is safe in the no-kill shelter; he will not be euthanized.  I am reassured by your advice re: small kids with this breed, in case I do take him on as a foster.  As an ACD owner/ lover, the same could be said of my breed...depends on the individual dog, of course, and many people would discourage having an ACD with small kids (nipping, herding instinct).  I do feel able to manage that, and will not take risks with my child or the dog.  I just wondered if this breed was more problematic than others with children (as I am a casual passerby to the Rat Terrier world!), so thanks for the input. 

     It won't be possible to get a photo before Thursday, but I will do my best then.  He really is nice looking!

Pip

Hi Cat,

     Appreciate the input!  This fella is a lean 25#, I'm told...still more lap-sized than my 44-lb ACD (who thinks she is lap-size!)  And true, he does calm more quickly after the initial greeting.  He'll be ready for his foster home after June 9.  Finishing up heartworm treatment.  Thanks,

Pip

No, no, not bigger than my ACD.  Sorry for the confusion.  He is just 25 lbs, to my ACD's 44 lbs.  Can't wait to get his photo to post (hope to do that Thursday).  To the best of my recollection, he looks just like the dogs I see here.

Pip

Hi Pip!  I sent you a private message; not sure you've read it yet?  Check the blue box on the left side of the page. 

Would you like to foster dogs with Ratbone Rescues?  As a foster parent, you would decide when (and if) to accept a new foster dog. Some foster families have just one at a time; others decide to have 2 or 3 or more. The foster family gets to name the dog. The foster family promptly takes the dog in for routine vet care (exam, heartworm test, vaccinations, and neuter/spay) and gets reimbursed by Ratbone Rescues for those costs. If other medical treatment is required, pre-approval is necessary but those costs are also reimbursed. Ratbone Rescues handles the adoption application process, manages transportation, provides an ID tag, microchip, and 6 months' worth of heartworm preventative. We also facilitate networking and support between fosterhomes. The foster family provides the dog's food, monthly flea preventative, toys, and plenty of love. We're a 501(c)3 organization, so any foster-related expenditures are tax deductible.

Good foster homes are NEEDED in Alabama!!  With only one foster home in Alabama, we are having to turn down dogs weekly. 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

If you think you're ready to start the application process, go to http://www.ratbonerescues.com/ratbone_volunteer_app.php

Where are you located in Alabama?

Debbie,

     I didn't get/ see your private message?  in the small blue box on my screen, it says "0 unread private messages; 0 read private messages"...the large blue box lists who's online, etc...(I'm not listed there, either, tho' I'm on line...)  being new to the forum, I'm not sure how it all works...And I admit I'm not as smart as my ACD!

   I am in Baldwin Co.  My primary interest is with Australian Cattle Dogs-- which is why this rat terrier (I believe) caught my eye... the coloring and markings were similar.  As I do have a older alpha dog, I'm very picky about bringing another dog in.  Which is why I like this shelter I visit...it's near enough for meet 'n greet's with my old gal, before we commit to fostering.

Pip

Pip, could you email me at rdcollins5257@gmail.com  tonight?

RT.com pages are loading painfully slow...it's been this way all day.  Each page takes about 5 minutes to show up.

Debbie