@JENGOSMonkey I WAS THERE FOR '89! I was a kid, but I remember the water coming out of the swimming pool in huge waves and everything falling from the shelves! I was actually born in San Jose, but moved around a lot later LOL I hear the wildfires are more of a concern for you guys now? That's scarier than quakes for me...
Decker Rat Terriers
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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…
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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:
Jake is awesome! I love him. I agree, I love rat terriers…there are 2 rat terriers down the street from me, Dakota and Moose and they are so cool. Even my brother who isn't a terrier fan at all, thinks Dakota is super cool. When I first moved to this road, I walked by the house where they live and Dakota ran up behind me (didn't even know he was there) and sprung all 4s off my back...just to say hello. Scared the heck out of me. Since then, I always stop and say hi to them if they are outside. Ruby LOVES Dakota...Moose is a little dog aggressive so he doesn't get to visit with the kids unless his owner is present.
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looks like you`ve nailed his breed…. he looks just like the rat Terrier's on the website .... they are very simaliar to basenjis indeed.
most people ask me if kiro is a terrier
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I wonder if they cut the tails to keep them from looking more basenji like?
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I have a friend who has a Rat and it seems she said that some of them have natural bob tails. I believe the conversation had to do with not being able to breed two dogs with natural bob tails or the pups could have problems with sphincter muscles…it's been several years ago so I can't be exactly sure. I do know her Rat screams like Eli when it's angry or scared. The first time I heard it I thought it was a peacock or something!
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I wonder if they cut the tails to keep them from looking more basenji like?
I believe it is because most terrier breeds have docked tails and the early breeders chose to follow tradition. Some breeders will leave tails on pups though I don't personally know of anyone who shows RTs that have undocked tails.
Here are pictures of Wheeler, an undocked RT. Wheeler's dam Bonnie has a much tighter curl but her page is no longer there. There is one small pic of Bonnie at the bottom of Wheeler's page.
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Thanks for the photos…
I like the tail...but then I like uncropped Dane ears and the like.
