Question:
i see people on here say "rat terrier"?
jazzy
2009-01-20 21:36:37 UTC
is a rat terrier a fox terrier, coz i have never heard of a rat terrier before, and when i googled it, it came up with pics of foxys, are they the same breed or different?
Eight answers:
Agility Man
2009-01-21 14:32:22 UTC
I own a rat terrier, know lots of other rattie owners and also know folks who own toy fox terriers and smooth fox terrier. Here's why you're likely confused:



1. Many dog websites don't list the rat terrier at all. That's because they use what the AKC sets as "breeds." But the AKC recently allowed ILP or FSS registration of rat terriers. So the websites that don't list the rat terrier are either out of date or incomplete.



2. The Smooth fox terrier looks nothing like a rat terrier. Muzzle, tuck-in, coat--all noticeably different.



3. The Toy Fox Terrier (there is no "Fox terrier" according to AKC) is tiny. Some rat terrier breeders insist that a TFT is just a miniature rat terrier. But let's put it this way: rat terriers come in 4 sizes...toy, miniature, standard and decker. My rat terrier is a big miniature (not quite big enough to be a standard sized rattie). He weighs 17 pounds and the maximum size for a TFT is about 6-7 pounds. A decker line rat terrier gets up to 40 pounds! So clearly rat terriers aren't toy fox terriers.



4. Rat terriers developed in the US. American farmers wanted a dog that stayed close to home, was great for dealing with rabbits and other vermin (mice) or critters that dug holes that cows and horses might step in (badgers, muskrats, etc.) so they took the Manchester Terrier and the now extinct Black and White terrier and mixed in sight hound (to react to small movements) like Greyhound and Whippet, and scent hound (to track well) like Beagle. Some farmers wanted dogs that went to ground well and bred in some dachshund. Some wanted to do modest herding of goats or chickens so bred in Corgi. About 110 years ago, nearly every farm in America had a rat terrier. They were a small-medium sized dog that required little upkeep, stayed home, was hardy, great at its job (quick, agile, great sight and scent, good mousing instinct).



The rat terrier got its name when Teddy Roosevelt became President. He had a mongrel terrier named Chip with him when we took over after McKinley died. Roosevelt discovered that Jefferson's old abandoned greenhouse was infested with rats. Teddy set Chip loose. 8 hours later, Chip had killed over 1,000 rats. Roosevelt began referring to him as "my rat terrier" and he bred Chip. Chip died during his second term and is now buried on the White House lawn. But Teddy Roosevelt is regarded as the patron saint of the breed.



In Australia, a relatively similar dog appears to have developed under somewhat similar needs: ranchers needed a dog that was good indoors and out, agile, hardy, not too big (didn't require a lot of food and easy to lift and move around), short-coat, great vision and scent. So they too took terriers and mixed in sight and scent hound and ended up with a dog that looks very close to a rat terrier (but doesn't have the same genetic diversity or range of coats. Thus the Mini Foxie.
getyourleash
2009-01-20 21:39:54 UTC
Rat Terriers are Rat Terriers and Fox Terriers are Fox Terriers. They are two different breeds, both terriers.



Not to confuse the issue but there's also the Toy Fox Terrier and Smooth Fox Terrier. Different breeds, all terriers.



http://www.akc.org/breeds/smooth_fox_terrier/index.cfm

http://www.akc.org/breeds/wire_fox_terrier/index.cfm

http://www.akc.org/breeds/toy_fox_terrier/index.cfm

http://www.ratterrierclub.com/
anonymous
2009-01-23 10:56:33 UTC
Rat Terriers and Fox Terriers are two different dogs. These two,along with the Jack Russell terrier look very similar to each other.



Rat Terriers and Jack Russells are the two most aggressive of these three listed. Fox Terriers are very rarely snippy or nippy.
moof
2009-01-20 21:46:32 UTC
Fox Terriers were developed from old-fashioned Dachshunds, English Hounds, Foxhounds and Beagles. They were used in England during the fox hunt.



Rat Terriers were developed from Smooth Fox Terriers and Manchester Terriers. Beagles, Whippets and Chihuahuas were later introduced to the mix to form the American Rat Terrier. Obviously, Rat Terriers are ratters. Their job is take care of vermin.



Rat Terrier: http://img.quamut.com/chart/1381/01_RatTerrier_profile.jpg

Smooth Fox Terrier: http://www.traffordphotos.com/assets/images/Fox_Terrier_Smooth_9T072D-126.jpg

Wirehaired Fox Terrier: http://www.pets911.com/breeds/dogs/images/breeds/wire-fox-terrier.jpg
☆MWφM☆
2009-01-21 07:39:51 UTC
They are different breeds. they look similar, but the rat terrier is smaller in that their bone structure is smaller. they have a tapering muzzle as well. they have long skinny legs and usually have their tails docked.



My grand parents have always had a rat terrier around. they are lively little dogs, and very good w/their people. their dogs (always dubbed Ralph, Ralph II, Ralph III and so on) loved being w/us grand-kids...i don't think there were many pics taken of us grand-kids w/out one of the Ralphs in it.



Fox terriers are a bit more sturdy, they have a stronger frame to them. They are well muscled and have a long muzzle, their muzzle and head almost make an oval shape so it kinda look boxy if they are wire haired w/beards.



they come in smooth coat and i know wire haired as well (not sure if there is a 3rd coat, i don't think so though).



they are two very different breeds
anonymous
2016-10-25 10:17:04 UTC
they are both from the Rodent family individuals yet having owned both as pets i ought to say that a hamster isn't even a specified 2d to a rat. Rats are some distance more effective smart and may fairly be educated to do tricks, will deal with their vendors interior of a similar way as a canine, stick with them round etc. A puppy rat can be a pal, like a mini canine the position as a hamster... properly they purely do not have a similar factor of type or potential to carry close some thing... actually i imagine hamsters are more effective heavily with regards to mice then rats.
Isis Is: HOPEFULL HOUNDS RESCUE
2009-01-20 21:49:16 UTC
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different, but similar.

i have a rat terrier contact. i'll star and maybe she'll see you.
catkeypurr
2009-01-20 21:39:41 UTC
Different but very similar looking.


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