RAT TERRIER HISTORY
The Rat Terrier is an American breed, developed in the 1800s from crossing Smooth Fox Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Old English White Terriers and Bull terriers, and later Toy Fox Terriers, Chihuahas and Feists.
In the early 1910s rabbits plagued crops in the Midwest, and farmers in that area bred in Whippets, Italian Greyhound, "snap dogs" and Beagles to improve their speed and capability of tracking and pursuing game.
Bred to protect farms and ranches from vermin, Rat Terriers are adept at locating, tracking, flushing, chasing and dispatching vermin, as well as treeing game, and may follow quarry to ground.
In modern times, the Rat Terrier is still a trusted, hard working farm dog and vermin eradicator. A loving family companion, and a versatile athlete that excels at sports. From Dock Diving to Scent Work, Agility and Therapy Dog...the Rat Terrier Really can do it all!
