Page 195 - ShowSight - September 2020

RAT TERRIER QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
BODY, TOPLINE
Body: The body is compact, strong and flexible with well- sprung ribs. The brisket extends to the elbow. Chest is mod- erately wide and well-filled with a discernible forechest. The underline ascends gradually with the ribs extending well back to a moderate tuck-up.
Topline: Length of neck is in proportion to the head. The back is level and firm from the withers to the loin, which is short and has a slight muscular arch blending into a slight croup. This description should never excuse any indication of a roach or a low tail set, both of which indicate a structural fault for the breed. Tail set is a continuation of the spine. Tail length is unimportant, and carriage is variable depending on mood, but never over the back.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulder blades well laid back with flat muscles; upper arms are nearly equal in length. The depth of the body at the elbow is the same distance as the elbow to the ground. Pasterns are slightly sloping. Elbows and toes turn neither in nor out.
HINDQUARTERS
Muscular, smooth, and in balance with the forequarters. Stifles are well-bent with short hocks. A structurally sound rear is as important as a structurally sound front for balance. Please do not overlook this part of the Rat Terrier.
COAT
Short, close lying, smooth and shiny. Texture can vary, with a slight ruff or wave along the back being allowed, but undesir- able. Whiskers are NOT removed.
COLOR
There is a whole lot of description here for a breed where color is the frosting and we are all about the cake. Let’s make it simple: All colors should be judged equally without preference for any. Ticking is common and acceptable, extreme ticking is undesirable. No solid colors other than white. No bi-colors without white, or less than one-inch of white. No merles. No brindles. Focus on the cake!
GAIT
A ground-covering, efficient trot with good reach and drive, suggesting agility, speed, and power. Gait is more like that of a working dog/endurance trotter instead of the typical Terrier pendulum-type movement. The Rat Terrier is shown at a speed that allows exhibition of good reach and drive as well as conver- gence coming and going as speed increases.
TEMPERMENT
Pretty typical Terrier in tenacity, intelligence and devotion, but may be reserved with strangers and should not be faulted for this.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Having previously owned and loved Goldens and Scotties, Tracey Kallas has been active in the sport of Rat Terriers since 1995. She is a Rat Terrier Breeder of Merit and the parent club’s Judges Educa- tion Coordinator, Breed Mentor and member of the Board of Directors. To date, she has bred multiple champions, grand champions, Breed and Group winners as well as winning the Breed at Montgomery County and, multiple times, at Westminster. She is currently working on her regular status for the breed as well as pursuing approval for additional breeds in the Terrier Group. For any additional information about the breed, please contact the Rat Terrier Club of America at rtca@ratterrierclubofamerica.org.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 2020 | 193