Rat Terrier Rescue Canada Inc.

"Rescue One Til There Are None"

Decker Rat Terriers

Decker Rat Terriers stand out from the standard Rat Terrier due to their distinct physical traits. They have a sturdier build, as they were selectively bred to be larger. They also have a broader skull, noticeable wrinkles on their lips, and erect ears.

The story started with the affection for a dog named Henry. This Rat Terrier, belonging to Milton Decker, a passionate hunter, displayed rare and exceptional qualities. Henry, a 32-pound male with button ears, demonstrated remarkable working and hunting abilities. He was highly intelligent, had a pleasant temperament, and was an excellent family dog in every aspect.

Captivated by this dog and eager to preserve their discovery, Milton set out on a quest around the year 1970. He journeyed from Oregon to distant places like Texas, Kansas, and Mississippi, seeking the largest Rat Terriers he could find for breeding stock to recreate his vision of the ideal dog. Through breeding the Henry dog with the Rat Terrier stock he had gathered, the Decker strain began its development.

Henry

The need for larger dogs led to selective breeding to retain their size. This effort was successful, also establishing an erect ear set. Thus, the name Decker "Giant" was coined.

These dogs were adept at baying up wild pigs and could tree almost any creature. They also excelled in hunting large game such as deer, cougars, and bears. Some were even employed in tracking jaguars in Central America before they became endangered. Bow hunters favored them for their exceptional scent-tracking abilities. The dogs would remain within 300 feet of the hunter and were known to sometimes redirect the hunt.

The dogs he bred from these lines met all his expectations. They were utility dogs, excelling as all-around hunters. They commonly pursued vermin, squirrels, birds, and upland quail, and were also adept at retrieving from water when needed.

Natural instincts, untrained, render them invaluable to farmers. They can swiftly and effectively clear a farm of mice with a brisk shake, a toss over their shoulder, and then move on. Faced with numerous mice, those that cannot be immediately killed in the mouth are pinned down with paws until they can be dealt with.

To read more about Decker Rat Terriers visit nationalpurebreddogday.com/the-decker-rat-terrier/

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