This is my first post, hope it makes sense, as I'm pretty upset.

Our son's ratty was killed by a car today. I saw it happen, can't get the image out of my head.
 We'd like to try to replace Maxi, as he was our toddler's best friend and ball-buddy.

I have contacted just about every breeder I can find, including the one we purchased Maxi from. I'm sure my desperation is making me irrational right now, but I'm entertaining all replies, which is why I'm here..

One person has a toy ratty (which is what maxi was), no papers, but the pup is brindle. I thought that I saw somewhere that ratty's are not brindle. Do ratties have brindle markings?

Thanks in advanced

OMG how sad!! How old was Maxi? Our first dog went to doggie heaven 2 years ago...it broke our hearts. I couldn't even think about getting another dog the same day she passed away...that was just us though. I know everyone has to handle things in their own way...So sorry for loss.

 Thank you. I'm so sick, can't sleep, feel ill. I know that I cannot replace Maxi, but I want to make sure that we're actually getting a ratty.

Oh, God, how awful. I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog. I can't imagine how horrible you must be feeling. I would give yourself some time and prayer on it. 

I agree with others that there are too, too many ratties in need of great homes and adopting one is always my first suggestion, though I hold nothing against those who chose to go with a breeder.

Brindle is a color pattern. It's currently "faulted" or disallowed by most, if not all, of the recognized rat terrier organizations. It seems, from what I've seen, that it is a heatedly debated topic as to whether brindle is a true color patter for ratties. Here is an example of a brindled rattie:

You all are so wonderful. I was hoping I didn't sound like a mad woman.

I am a huge believer in rescuing animals, so that is definitely an option. I was only looking to get a younger pup, as I am always cautious with dogs in shelters, as sometimes they have been abused...I have to think of the safety of my toddler.

Thanks for the brindle pic and explanation. I had been trying to clarify whether or not brindle was accepted, but apparently, it's not a resolved issue, huh?

In the meantime...I'm going to continue to pray and wait. I'm sure the right pup, or dog will fall right into our laps.

I'm also glad that I found this site. There's nothing more loving that rat-terrier-lovers!

We relocated to pittsburgh. I think the move disoriented Maxi.

Wow, you're very close to us. My in-laws live near New Matamoras, OH. When we had Maxi, he was mistaken for everything BUT a terrier LOL. So, I'm used to it.

In NY, we didn't let him out off of the lead, not even in the dog-runs, because he was so tiny and FAST. We now liven 3 acres and I thought that "country life" meant that he could kinda run free. However, he slipped out of the door and by the time we noticed, it was too late.

I've made contact with a number of breeders, so I'm confident that we'll get another baby. I checked petfinder, but since we have a toddler, who we raised around a variety of animals, I'd rather get a puppy. You never know the temperment of an older dog, regardless of their stature.

The other thing with petfinder...they won't ship.

We got a pup!!!! He won't be ready to come home until 7/24, but he's the cutest, little fellow AND he's driving distance.

He's not too far from my in-laws in Ohio, so we're going to make his come-home-day a family affair.

I thank God for all of the people who reached out to help us find a new baby so quickly.

Thank you Brandy. I will never be able to replace Maximus Von Hellion but I'm glad that I didn't have to wait to find another baby.

So sorry to hear about little Max...how horrible for you.  We got our ratty EmmyLou after our baby died two and a half years ago.  We had never had a Ratty before, had a toy poodle and a black cocker.  They were both 14 years old and died within 11  days of each other.   I got the Ratty 3 days after Prissy(our toy poodle died)...I believe the best medicine is to get a puppy right away, because they demand your attention and are so helpless that you must take care of them and bypass your own grief.  Then 8 days later our black cocker Ticky also died...About two weeks later we got the cream colored cocker MittieMay; couldn't bear another Black one yet, then we saw the little brown cocker a couple weeks later in a pet store where we went to get food.  She was sick and we decided to rescue her.  It turned out she had giardia and was sick for 9 more weeks until we finally got her straightened out.  It was a lot of work, and a lot of mess and expense, but she is worth every minute and dollar of it...and caring for her special needs in the beginning also helped us get through the grief of our losses.  Our prayers for daily lessening of your grief are going your way. 

Oh yes, I do understand, and empathize...we have been lucky with our babies living long lives...before Prissy & Ticky we had two big guys...A big 150# German Shepherd named Bere and a Golden Retriver Gal named Racy.  we had them almost 10 years, and Racy had a stroke, then Bere got cancer....that is when we got Prissy & Ticky...as you see we named our little rescued cocker RacyBere in honor of our first "kids".  We do have our babies here.  We had them all cremated so we buried them in our garden in little oak boxes I built and engraved.  Take care, so glad you were able to find a new baby.   They never take the place of the lost ones, they just carve out their own spaces in your heart.

I know...we have a month, but I feel really good, because was got pick of the litter, only because she had not yet advertised her males. Yes, I did find a breeder in Ohio and from what she said, she actually does the show circuits. Moore Manor Kennels. She's in Ironton, Ohio.