The Rat Terrier is an American breed that is the result of working with the Fox Terrier, Bull Terrier, http://wiki.answers.com/manchester-terrier.html, and Old English White Terrier, to name a few. It is not a show-able or registrable breed in AKC.
Rat Terriers come from a big mix of breeds: the extinct English White Terrier, Manchester Terriers, Smooth Fox Terriers, Whippets, Beagles, Italian Greyhounds, & Miniature Pinschers. But they mainly come from Jackrussel Terriers and Smooth Fox terrirers.
I have 2 beautiful miniature black rat terriers that I found in two different animal shelters in Calif. One came from a Northern CA shelter, the other from a Southern/Central Calif. shelter. One was described as a chihuahua mix, the other a purebred chihuahua. Neither has much chihuahua, and are clearly rat terrier. I think rat terriers come from all states, but probably are more prevalent in those states with ranches or farms.
Rat Terriers are considered an American breed although their ancestors came from Great Britain around the 1890's. They were first bred from Manchester Terriers and Smooth Fox Terriers around the 1820's, and their original color was black and tan. They received their modern breed name from President Theodore Roosevelt.
They live about 15 to 18 years and are of small to medium size.
Britain
Chordata. Rat Terriers are dogs, dogs are mammals, mammals are chordates. :)
Currently no. Rat Terriers are listed as a Foundation Stock Service breed.
No.
Yes.
You can mostly feet rat terriers cheese.They are highly likely to want that.Try giving it to your pet to see.
No, but you can get a Yorkshire Terrier. Yorkshire Terriers are similar to Rat Terriers.
yes!
Yes.
Jack Russels, Dachunds, Wiltishire Terriers, Rat Terriers (that is an actual breed), Foxies, Miniature Pinschers. Would you like more?
England/Scotland
It is instinct and part of their nature.
that is completely up to you