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Toy or Miniature Rat Terrier or Fiest? With a lifespan up to 25 years, these truly are one of the best all around dogs that anyone can own. They are zesty, fun, and full of life. This is the most mentally and physically healthy breed you can buy. Chihuahuas are generally lazier and more of a couch-potato than are these. Most professional dog people generally accept that a Fiest and Rat Terrier are the same breed, although many local dog enthusiasts would argue this point. These love to be with their owners and are also small enough to be a good lap dog. They are both more active and more interactive than a Chihuahua. They are a great choice for an active family who would enjoy a tag-along companion. They will follow when you ride a bicycle, ride horseback, go hiking, boating, etc. They are athletic and can easily follow you wherever without assistance. They are also a good guard dog who is alert to the presence of strangers or other vermin. I have heard many stories of Rat Terriers keeping the property free of undesirable vermin and poisonous snakes. At least 3 dogs killed deadly snakes that were close to the children. These like to play fetch or fris-bee, and are generally very self-confident and aloof with strangers, yet never aggressive with your children. These are generally easier to house train than Chihuahuas because they are more confident and less likely to accidentally urinate indoors when nervous or excited. These are likely to have a much longer life expectancy and be healthier and cheaper to own than most Chihuahuas. They almost never get diabetes, have seizures, or need allergy shots like Chihuahuas often do. Any health problem in a dog which requires regular veterinary visits can cost thousands of dollars over the life expectancy of the dog. I've often wondered if everyone who wanted a small house pet bought Rat Terriers, if half the veterinary hospitals in the U.S. would soon go out of business? These come in many colors that resemble many different breeds, and most vary in size from 7-18 lbs. The smaller ones feel good in your lap, and the larger ones are big enough to maintain their body heat in cooler weather outdoors. The photos of these dogs in this site are made at different ages. Although these puppies are born with button ears, most gradually see ears raise to stand erect as an adult like a typical Chihuahua. We also have a few puppies that are likely to maintain button ears as an adult. For those who will do a good job with training and discipline, a well-trained Rat Terrier interacts at a higher and more human level than any other pet The only people who don't love these are the victims of or a witness to a Rat Terrier manipulating a dumb owner. 90% of those who would properly train a dog could not settle for the intelligence of most other choices after having owned a Rat.
Beagle? These are one of the healthiest and most affectionate dogs that anyone can own. They are very tolerant of children who play too rough and are small enough to come indoors, but large enough that they can stay outside. They are a great companion for the children and a great backyard guardian. A Beagle will wake you up at night when an intruder approaches! Most of our Beagles will grow to be in the 13-15 inch size range These are tough enough and are the right size to stay warm outdoors in cold weather if given ample shelter. Beagles were the number one pet in the U.S. in the 1950's and are once again becoming more popular as pets in our country as owners are becoming more aware of the undesirable genetics of most of the popular breeds kept as pets.
American Hairless Terrier? Not to be confused with Chinese Cresteds, these dogs have
softer skin
and they always have good teeth. These are
a very rare variety of the Rat Terrier that carry the rare genetics for hairlessness! God made dogs to live outdoors and gave them the hair they needed for protection. It is interesting to note that God saw that man didn't need a hairy coat like the dog, since he would build shelter and live indoors! 100% of the people who have the hairless dogs LOVE them! If you can overcome your expectations and expect them to feel like another person, these truly are the very best indoor pet that anyone can own. These are soft, warm, clean, very hypo-allergenic, and don't present the bio-hazard of normal coated pets.
Because you don't have to clean up after them, and because they are less likely
to have a negative impact on the health of family members, these are by far the cheapest dog that
you can own! The American Hairless is the very best indoor pet!
Jack Russell Terrier hybrid?
A great pet for the right family, Jack Russell hybrids are one of the most
active pets you can buy. They are very intelligent and love to play games.
They are very protective of their family and environment, and can be aggressive
toward strangers. Many pet owners have been overwhelmed by the active
personalities of a young Jack Russell to the point that they gave the dogs away
by 8 months old. Be sure that you are not the kind of person who will be
bothered by having a really active pet if you choose a Jack Russell Terrier.
36. Above left photo: Red/white Rat Terrier pup! This pet can shed almost as little as the YorkiePoo if you spend even half as much time brushing him with the Furminator comb as you will need to spend caring for the YorkiePoo to make sure it doesn't get matted, tangled, or smell bad. Rat Terriers also have almost no odor because the coat is thin and doesn't retain significant odors, while dogs with the thick hair of a YorkiePoo, Bichon, Cairn, etc., must be bathed constantly to keep the urine smell out of the coat.
37. Above right photo: MaltaPoo pup! A non-shedding very high maintenance expensive to own pet, but you won't get to the office and have hair on your clothing from this one. Ownership costs of a long haired pet over a 15 year life expectancy can cost $10,000.00 more than a Rat Terrier, yet people call me and their first question is "how much". A more affordable option is to manage the shedding of your short haired dog with the furminator comb. This is also much less work than long hair, because most short haired dogs do not shed the year round.