Hi I am new and am thinking about getting a rat terrier. This looks like a great site with alot of great info. I have read and researched the rat terrier and it sounds like the breed for me. I have seen a couple of times Type A and Type B what does that mean? I am looking forward to getting to know all of you and your ratties.

Amanda

Hi, Amanda. Welcome to the site! This is THE place to be for everything about rat terriers Of course, I think you've made a fabulous decision, but I'm biased I'm glad to see you're doing research before getting any dog.

You can read about the differences between Type A and Type B ratties here:

http://www.rat-terrier.com/Home/tabid/37/forumid/4/postid/91419/view/topic/Default.aspx

They are essentially the same in terms of personality, traits, etc. The difference is that Type A ratties are "taller" or "just as tall" as they are "long", whereas Type B ratties are shorter than they are long.

Thanks everyone. I would be willing to rescue if I can find one close to me, almost all of my dogs before have come from the local shelter. I had a toy poodle but on the 30th of November I had to have a brain tumor removed, it was not cancer thank God but it was the size of an orange so I spent the month of December at my mom and dads house because I could not be left alone due to risk of seizures, and he and there dog became the best of friends when we came back home he mopped around all the time and would not eat hardly anything and her dog was the same way so after a week we decided he would go live with her we only live about 10 min from each other and I am over there alot and I will still be buying his food and paying grooming, vet bills, and anything else he needs. If I can not find a rescue then I will find a breeder.

Amanda

Welcome to the group Amanda!  Whether you get a rescue or a rattie from a breeder, they are wonderul little dogs.  If you are interested in rescues, Ratbone Rescues is a WONDERFUL rescue group.  Here's the website address:  www.ratbonerescues.com.  Check them out - they've got all kinds of ratties in need and in all parts of the country.  They will arrange for transport if you're within 600 miles of the rattie you want to get.  (I think it's 600 miles)  Kepp us updated on your search.

Thank you for the web site I will check it out. I am in Asheville NC. Yeah he is very happy there my mom spoils him like I did it was a little ruff on me to pack up his sweaters and toys and stuff to take over there. But I see him at least once a week if not more.

Amanda

Fred I love your Avitar that is really neat. I will check out all the sites you guys gave me as well as the local shelters to see what I can find. I would like a little girl that is good with children and from the age of baby to 2 years. I also really like either the tri-colored, or brown and white but thats not as important as personallity.

Amanda

Hi Amanda! Welcome to the site. I'm also a North Carolinian You will find lots of info here about the best breed of dog out there. There are too many reasons to list! LOL And, this is a friendly place full of caring folks.

I'm glad that things went well with your surgery and I hope that it continues on that path. If you can get a rescue that would be wonderful, but if not, make sure you research well for a reputable, caring breeder. Alot of the rescue groups such as Ratbone, can get the dog to you, at least most of the way.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone. I found out I had the tumor at the beging of October when a lady rearended me while I was stopped for a wreck in front of me and I went to the hospital to get checked out they found it when they did an mri because my head was hurting. I have gotten migraines of and on since I was about 15 yrs old but never had a scan done. Oops sorry about the mix up Tracy.  I will look at Pumpkins picture and info do you know were shes located?  What does decker rattie mean? I"ve got so much to learn.

Amanda

Basically, there are three types of body styles in the Rattie world.  A, B and Decker.  The A's are longer legged and usually about 13 lbs to about 20 or so.   B's are short legged and usually weigh up to 15 or 16 lbs..  Within these two body styles, you also have the mini's and standards and that can get confusing.  Now, the Deckers.  There was a guy named Decker that wanted a larger Rat Terrier.  I suppose he had huge rats on his farm.  He went around the world, gathered the largest Rat Terriers he could find, along with mixing some other breeds (Beagle, Greyhound, Pincher), and came up with a Rat Terrier that gets up to 50-55 lbs.  They look just as the smaller ones do, just bigger all over.  Anyone feel free to add or correct what I have said, as this was just off the top of my head and my wife claims I sometimes make stuff up.

Thanks Jim. I had seen the name Decker Rat Terrier but thought it was maybe a blood line or something like that.

Amanda

There are a few members here that have them.  They are really quite awesome looking.

Here's a pic of a beautiful Decker rat terrier I keep for such occasions.  His name is Flash and he lives in Kansas.  He about 2 years old now, I guess, and I think weighed around 40 lb. last time I talked with his owner on another board.  Beautiful dog.  You can see his leg bones are sturdier than the smaller ratties.

Wow!  What a beautiful Rattie!  I bet he can run like the wind.