• I adore Rat Terriers and perhaps someday I may even own one. RT's come in 4 sizes; toy, miniature, standard, and a sub-strain called Decker or Decker Giant. The breed American Hairless Terriers are RT's that are completely hairless. Numerous breeds, including Basenjis, were used to create Rat Terriers with the Deckers perhaps having the heaviest concentration of Basenji blood. I have spoken to a couple of Decker breeders and some of these dogs do indeed yodel but much to the breeder's dismay, some inherited the infamous Basenji "scream" lol. One interesting thing is that although RT's have their tails docked, if left natural many curl up and into a loose "donut" or circle similar to a Basenji.


  • Thank you for all info on rat terriers I never knew they came in different sizes. My grandparents had a pair long before I was born they were my mother's Lady and Fanny were there names. They said when my mother did dishes she made them sit on kitchen chair and watch. My grandmother said they ride in front seat while my mother rode in back seat of the car.

    Does sound like they have several things like the Basenjis. That would be cool. Next time my daughter says I want a dog I just might tell her to get a rat terrier.

    Rita Jean


  • The little boy I adopted from MN, is not Basenji - he is a RT. The Humane Society listed him as a Basenji not knowing the difference. At first, I thought Rocky was a Basenji/RT mix, but I don't think so. Rocky looks so much like a Basenji he even fooled Rita Jean and me - he acts like a Basenji, altho his temperment is much more mellow. Rocky yodels once in a while and has a little tiny bark. As Rocky ages, I see more and more RT traits. His tail is not docked but curls like my Basenji girls.

    Will he ever grow into his ears!? :p

    DMcarthy said he looked like a mix, too, when she helped transport Rocky.

    If y'all recall, Rocky was purchased at a pet store in MN because a lady couldn't stand seeing him there day after day - she immediately took Rocky to the Humane Society to be placed for adoption. (The rescue worker at the humane society scolded the lady for doing such a thing because it gives more business to puppy mills that supply pet stores.)


  • There are some nice pictures of Decker Rat Terriers at.
    www.seegmillersdeckerterriers.
    I was reading about them they are closer to a 50 lb dog.

    Rita Jean


  • Rocky weighs less than 20# and is almost a year old. He looks like the year old puppies on the Decker websites, altho his coloring is red and white.

    Rita - the site you listed won't open for me. I'm curious to see it.

  • Houston

    Wow, they look a lot like Basenjis, stockier no doubt and colors vary but if the colors are right and they are on the lean side, very basenji like indeed, in the looks, wonder if they are brainy like a B? Thanks for sharing that website Rita.


  • I can't tell you the number of times people thought my previous 2 Basenjis were Rat Terriers. "Are those Rat Terriers"? "No, they're Basenjis". Ba What?


  • Vicki go to goggle and type in seegmillersdeckerterriers and that should get you there. Do go and look at them.

    Rita Jean



  • They are beautiful dogs!


  • They are beautiful but I do not think I want one. I like Jaycee's size and I have seen her crazy times and love times no change for me. They are beautiful.

    Rita Jean


  • Here's one that will make you look twice
    http://imageevent.com/sierras_heaven/segmlrssunstormsaurorash?n=0

    And a couple with undocked tails. The curling is very common when left natural. Wheeler and a pic of her dam Bonnie is at the bottom of page.

    http://imageevent.com/ratpkken/ourratterriergirls/rpkshellonwheels

  • Houston

    Wow, that is unreal.
    I read on of of these posted sites that they have a little bit of basenji in them (from breeding long ago), to get the curly tail, now I can see that is probably true.


  • @YodelDogs:

    Here's one that will make you look twice
    http://imageevent.com/sierras_heaven/segmlrssunstormsaurorash?n=0

    And a couple with undocked tails. The curling is very common when left natural. Wheeler and a pic of her dam Bonnie is at the bottom of page.

    http://imageevent.com/ratpkken/ourratterriergirls/rpkshellonwheels

    The one that would make me think twice is the one that you posted over a year ago…his coat/markings were blue merle I think.


  • In talking with Rat Terrier people at UKC shows some of the traits we value in our breed are faults in Rat Terriers, most notably the wrinkled expression.


  • That red/white really reminds me of Jaycee. That is really cool.

    Rita Jean

  • First Basenji's

    Bumping this old thread because Bowpi met a Decker Terrier yesterday.

    … and did not react to him as she does when meeting most other Basenjis.

    Just thought it was a neat encounter. I would not have known of the Decker if not for this forum.


  • Okay, I looked back on this thread and although I knew about Decker Terriers I'd forgotten they looked so much like Basenjis. Which made me think, although he doesn't have very much white, could this guy be part Decker maybe? Basenji/Decker? http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/23068163 I don't know, he looks very Basenji, but his ears aren't quite right… but are like Decker ears.

    I'd love this boy, a capped tri is one of those "must have before I die" dogs for me! I inquired about him, he's still available, and has a great resume; he does bark but only a little. Of course he's very far away....


  • I thought he is probably PB but with different tri markings. I posted him in the Rescue section. Do you know if he was a stray or an owner surrender? Would the rescue group ship him? I think it is too hot now to ship though.

    My Bowie will bark from time to time, more like a woof though and he especially does it when he sees a squirrel up a tree. I think he is telling them to come down! He will only bark/woof a few times in a row. I will usually tell him "no bark".

    Here are two sites with pictures of capped tris and he looks like them:

    http://www.basenji.org/african/will9403.htm
    http://www.basenji.org/african/P_Lady.htm

    Jennifer

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