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Rat terriers are one of the few breeds of dog developed in the United States. Terriers in some form were brought over by British immigrants in the 1600s, these terriers had been used for hunting and general farm dogs, and their working abilities were soon discovered in the US. However, the differing climate and terrain needed a dog a little different than the varieties being bred in Britain. To achieve this new breed it’s believed that terrier breeds were crossed with other breeds, including the whippet, beagle and Italian greyhound to create the rat terrier. These new terriers were more suited to the land and had softer temperaments than the traditional British terrier breeds, making them great family pets, as well as working dogs.
Rat Terrier Health
Rat terriers are very healthy dogs. Their history as working dogs bred from a variety of breeds means they have a lower risk of developing many diseases. However, rat terrier owners should be aware that they are susceptible to some conditions that may require medical treatment. In particular they can suffer from luxating patellas where the knee cap doesn’t stay in the correct position, treatment may require surgery depending on the severity of the condition. Studies have shown that your pet is up to twenty percent more likely to rupture their cranial cruciate ligament if they suffer from luxating patellas. The right insurance can help with all of these costs but it’s important to find a policy that doesn’t exclude these conditions.
Other Insurance Considerations:
• Rat terriers have been known to suffer from epilepsy.
• One of the most frequently seen conditions in rat terriers is demodex mange.
• They are prone to developing allergies.
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Select a pet to learn more about specific breed.
Dog Cat
Choose a breed and learn more about your pet's health care needs.
