I cannot imagine committing to buy a puppy without seeing the animal and if possible the sire and dam. OTOH, a rescue (or adoption of an older dog) is a different thing. My last two Basenjis came to me sight unseen, and turned out to be wonderful dogs, but the breeders I got them from wanted to place their dogs in an experienced Basenji home, and I only paid the cost of getting the dogs to me. One came by air, one was personally transported to me by his breeder. If she hadn't been happy with what she found I expect she would have taken him back with her when she left. I also had to commit to return him if ever I couldn't keep him. Good breeders care about where their dogs end up.
Decker Rat Terriers
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I don't know, Duke looks all Basenji to me. It looks like some idiot ripped the tail off your Basenji! In truth though, he's gorgeous, I wouldn't change a thing. Sometimes (when I see one this pretty) I think I like the Black and Whites better than the Reds….nah, but almost.
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I was just looking for some information about the Tesem dogs and found this:
http://www.rsce.es/razas/razas_ratonero_valenciano_1.htmIt's the Rater Valenciá from Spain.. Looks a lot like the Rat Terrier and the Basenji!
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I agree..Duke looks like a basenji with a docked tail and he is just beautiful. I especially like the last picture. He has a regal air about him.
Pat
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There was someone in my neighborhood in Pittsburgh who had a rat terrier…..they look a lot like Bs....I don't think he was a decker rat terrier, though.
Jack didn't like him at all- he barked too much
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Duke is lovely…thanks for the photos.
This Decker terriers photos looked so much like a basenji to me, when the shelter sent them, we got right on the dog..
BUT now we are working to rehome him.
I had no idea of this breed before I met Shawn. The deckers boys new name. -
I think your boy could be a decker!
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Aww - Thank you for the compliments of my little boy, Duke. He is gorgeous and yet still on the wild side despite all the obedience training we have completed. I know he's not full Basenji - he's been seen and looked at by a few very reputable breeders. My poor/lucky boy was a throw away pup when he was found with tail cut-off. I sometimes think I should have his tail completely removed as I observe his discomfort with it. (sad to say) He has too long of neck fur and snout, too short of neck and legs. Though he is standard weight (25 lbs) for male basenji. His quirks are Basenji, but his jumping and barking abilities lie with Jack Russell Terrier. I've learned an incredible amount of information since I've acquired this puppy - thanks to this forum. I must visit a Decker Rat Terrier to determine if he is one. Always somthing on the "to-do" list…
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Why does his tail hurt him? Someone "home made" tail docking??
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I was just looking for some information about the Tesem dogs and found this:
http://www.rsce.es/razas/razas_ratonero_valenciano_1.htmIt's the Rater Valenciá from Spain.. Looks a lot like the Rat Terrier and the Basenji!
Looks a lot like her Duke to me! Maybe?
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Why does his tail hurt him? Someone "home made" tail docking??
I would guess so. He was found this way - 10-12 weeks old:
Vet inspected tail - and noted raw healing on docked tail vs. stitched. We don't know where he came from as he was found in a zipped bag in a parking lot with a brother also with docked tail. I've told his story into my life a few times here, I can't help believing that stories like Dukes lead to happy lives for the the many out there needing rescue. That there is also a blessed heart felt feeling of love for saving.
I don't know about docking the rest of his tail yet - he's 2-1/2 now - but I see him protecting his rear end and often looping back to itch it. I would like to discuss it with his vet and another for a second opinion … on the list....
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I would guess so. He was found this way - 10-12 weeks old:
Vet inspected tail - and noted raw healing on docked tail vs. stitched. We don't know where he came from as he was found in a zipped bag in a parking lot with a brother also with docked tail. I've told his story into my life a few times here, I can't help believing that stories like Dukes lead to happy lives for the the many out there needing rescue. That there is also a blessed heart felt feeling of love for saving.
I don't know about docking the rest of his tail yet - he's 2-1/2 now - but I see him protecting his rear end and often looping back to itch it. I would like to discuss it with his vet and another for a second opinion … on the list....
Docked vs stitched? Not sure I understand that… they do not stitch docked tails?... or did I misunderstand?
And he is too cute... how could someone just dump him????
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Wow, he and his sib were left in a plastic bag? Like trash?
Oh, that is just sad and sick.
How lucky he is that someone kind found him and took him in. -
Duke looked like a little stuffed toy dog as a puppy. How cute!! Those little tufts in your bedspread…......Have they survived? Cory and Jayden would have taken care of those in short order.
It makes me ill to think of how Duke started his life. Did his brother also do okay?
Pat
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Docked vs stitched? Not sure I understand that… they do not stitch docked tails?... or did I misunderstand?
And he is too cute... how could someone just dump him????
He was an adorable puppy (with down-right sharp baby teeth and sheer piranah intent - giggling now) Maybe that is why he was dumped - but God made him cute just for me.
OK - vet indicated that breeds notable for docked tails, as in Doberman would normally be amputated between vertebrae and then the incision would be stiched back together on the tip end. Where as, Dukes tail was simply cut off and laid to heal on its own - raw. I saw the flesh end then. I feel his tail bone when he lets me touch it - he is very sensitive there. Does that make sense? I would never cut off a puppy dog's tail or ears. OK with dew claws if I ever have a choice.
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Duke looked like a little stuffed toy dog as a puppy. How cute!! Those little tufts in your bedspread…......Have they survived? Cory and Jayden would have taken care of those in short order.
It makes me ill to think of how Duke started his life. Did his brother also do okay?
Pat
Thanks Pat - his brother went to another family. He is named Oreo. I do not know how to contact them. I have tried to get informtion from Duke's champion rescuer (husbands co-worker.) But he seems to have no further contact with them. I do hope he is as fortunate/happy as Duke.
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He was an adorable puppy (with down-right sharp baby teeth and sheer piranah intent - giggling now) Maybe that is why he was dumped - but God made him cute just for me.
OK - vet indicated that breeds notable for docked tails, as in Doberman would normally be amputated between vertebrae and then the incision would be stiched back together on the tip end. Where as, Dukes tail was simply cut off and laid to heal on its own - raw. I saw the flesh end then. I feel his tail bone when he lets me touch it - he is very sensitive there. Does that make sense? I would never cut off a puppy dog's tail or ears. OK with dew claws if I ever have a choice.
Sound reasonable… I just know that a good friend just had a litter of Silky Terriers and they dock tails... they to cut between vertebrae, but don't stitch... however they might "glue"... not sure, will have to ask... thanks for the info...
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This boy is so lucky to have found you.
So, there is nothing to be done for the tail then?
Just hope the area gets tougher as he grows? -
I didn't see this thread until today. A few quick notes:
Rat Terriers come in 4 sizes; toy, miniature, standard, and Decker. Rat Terriers (except Deckers) also come in two body types, type A which is almost a square build, and type B which has a body longer than height. Some registries such as the UKC are registering the type B's as a seperate breed called Teddy Roosevelt Terrier. The Rat Terrier Club of America is working towards AKC recognition and qualifying Rat Terriers can currently be registered with the AKC in the Foundation Stock Service program.
There is no doubt that Basenjis were used in the creation of Rat Terriers, particularly the Decker strain. I have spoken to a few Decker breeders including Eli Brown, the author of the book The Decker Rat Terrier. Mr. Brown says that some Deckers show very strong Basenji characteristics including yodelling and the infamous "scream". Regular Rat Terriers, however, show very few (if any) Basenji characteristics beyond conformation similarities. (PS if you don't dock a Rat Terrier's tail, it usually curls up into a loop like a Basenji's!)
I love Rat Terriers and I came VERY close to adopting a standard blue merle a couple of days ago. Thankfully common sense stopped me just in time lol!
Jake, the guy who almost came to live here:
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This boy is just a sweet joy in his foster home..
She has 5 homes that are wanting him, so once he is fixed, he will be well placed.
Before we p/u this guy, I had no idea of this breed.
Very nice dogs, but this one barks, so, to me, that isn't too cool! -
I wonder why they want to cut the Rat Terrier tails since a curled loop tail is so adorable??? Seems pointless to me…
