Stacy McWilliams, Rat Terrier
Telford, Pennsylvania
River Ridge Rat Terriers
www.RiverRidgeRatTerriers.com
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Breeder Spotlight
How long have you been involved in your breed?
Since 1998. I started in Rat Terrier rescue. In 1999, I purchased my first show dog.
List three words you feel best describe your breed.
Intelligent, loyal and tenacious.
In your opinion, what physical characteristic defines your breed the most?
Impression of great strength, stamina and agility for size. Wedge head, pronounced cheek muscles, strong jaws. Overall muscular working condition.
In your opinion, which behavioral characteristic defines your breed the most?
Extremely attentive, tenacious hunter and successful, talented multi-tasker.
What is the largest false impression your breed gives?
That Rat Terriers should be little or elegant, when, in fact, most breeds which make up the Rat Terrier were tall in height and working breeds.
What should breeders be most concerned about today?
Health and genetic disorders in the Rat Terriers today. As a relatively new breed, we are fortunate that knowledge and testing is available to help kennel programs eliminate or diagnose genetic problems in their dogs/lines. Also, help educate others of the importance of testing.
Is your breed standard sufficient? If you do not feel it is sufficient, briefly list changes you would like to see made.
I am currently happy with our breed standard. We are still a new breed and a bit too young to open it for tighter or looser language.
What counsel would you like to give to newcomers?
The importance of purchasing tested foundation dogs, from breeders who are producing genetically healthy dogs to their best ability. Research before you purchase your dogs. Find a mentor or two, and always be willing to learn.
What is the single most charming attribute of your breed?
Would you consider this charming? They bring me presents. Mice, rats and rodents of all kinds!
Do you prefer your breed judged moving or standing?
I would have to say both.
What is the most common judging mistake in your breed?
Placing a “showy dog” over a dog which better fits the breed standard. Also, the Rat Terrier has a slight slope at the croup. Our topline is different than the Toy Fox Terrier.
What quality lends itself particularly well to the show ring?
Attitude, or as we call it, RATitude!
Who would you like to see judge your National Specialty?
Judy Threlfall or Kathy Lorentzen. Kathy has recently finished writing our judges power point presentation for the Rat Terrier breed standard, and I feel she is very close to our breed standard after completion. I would enjoy seeing her placings and comments after just finishing this presentation.
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 Recent News At UKC
03/15/2010: Video highlights From American Leopard Hound Days Here are some video highlights from the recent 1st Annual American Leopard Hound Days in Sparta, IL.... Read more here. 
News Archive. |
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This Weekend At UKC
UKC is pleased to announce that the running of the 2010 UKC World Squirrel Dog Championship will take place in Franklin, Indiana, and will be hosted by the Johnson County Hound Club. The event date will be Saturday, March 20th. New this year will be last chance qualifying events which will take place on Friday, March 19th and will feature a.m. and p.m. qualifiers. There will also be a World Championship Bench Show which will take place Friday evening. Clubs wishing to conduct qualifying events between now and then are encouraged to call UKC Field Representative Eugene Hill (256) 596-0568 or UKC Field Representative Marty Stanton (812) 343-0958. Good luck to all ! (More Information).
National Hunting Beagle Association Days is also this weekend in Missouri. Come on out and enjoy the event with us! NHBA sectional runoffs on Friday and a 2 day hunt Saturday and Sunday.(More Information).
Find an event in your area.
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Originally bred to retrieve from water, the modern Labrador Retriever has proven to be one of the most versatile breeds, excelling in hunt tests and field trials, in obedience and agility events, and also as service dogs. The ancestor of the Labrador Retriever was the St. John's Retriever, a smaller version of the Newfoundland. The Labrador Retriever was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1947. |
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Read more about UKC's many dog breeds here. |
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