Contents
Breed Profile: Rat Terrier
Where to Get a Rat Terrier
Gear for Your Rat Terrier
How to Feed Your Rat Terrier
How to Groom Your Rat Terrier
Rat Terrier Healthcare
How to Socialize Your Rat Terrier
How to Train Your Rat Terrier
How to Fix Rat Terrier Behavior Problems
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Where to Get a Rat Terrier
There are three main ways to get a rat terrier:
- Buy from a breeder.
- Adopt from a shelter.
- Adopt from a rescue group.
Breeders
Buying a rat terrier directly from a breeder is the most expensive option, but as long as the breeder is reputable, it’s also the best way to guarantee that the rat terrier you purchase will be healthy and well socialized.
Look for the following when searching for a reputable breeder:
- Focus: Breeds only one or two breeds
- Knowledge: Knows breed standards and temperaments
- Care: Keeps clean, well-maintained kennel areas, and the dogs or puppies appear healthy and happy
- Support: Offers support after you bring your dog or puppy home
- Paperwork: Provides a written contract and health guarantee; requires you to complete an application and provide references; provides records of veterinary care and shots, as well as references from other customers
- Mandatory return: Requires you to return the dog if you decide not to keep him
You can locate breeders on the internet, in breed-specific magazines, at dog shows, or in the telephone book. However, it’s often best to get a personal recommendation from friends or a vet.
Shelters
Most cities and towns have an animal shelter, humane society, or pound that takes in unwanted, lost, or abandoned pets, restores them to good health, and offers them for reasonable fees to the public. Few people intent on adopting a specific breed, such as a rat terrier, think of trying a shelter. But in fact it’s possible to adopt a purebred from a shelter—and often for a fraction of the price that breeders charge. If you’re set on a rat terrier puppy, though, keep in mind that it’s generally less likely that you’ll be able to find a puppy at a shelter.
Rescue Groups
Rescue groups are like shelters for specific breeds. Rat terrier rescue groups take in lost or unwanted rat terriers and offer them for adoption. Rescue groups are a great option for prospective dog owners who want a specific breed but who also would like to “rescue” a dog rather than buy one from a breeder. They typically charge a bit more than shelters but are still a great option for adopting a purebred dog.
| Text & Photos Copyright © 2007 TFH Publications, Inc. | Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
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