Rashon

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin
U.S.A. <> France / Belgium -> U.S.A.
Translation
Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Rashon

The Rashon is a designer dog and is a cross between a pure-bred Rat Terrier and a pure-bred Bichon frise. They are small dogs weighing up to 5.5 kilos and measuring up to 30.5 centimeters. These affectionate, playful dogs make excellent pets and get on well with children. They are alert, lively dogs who will need plenty of exercise to burn off their energy. They are bright and intelligent and will be easy to train, making them suitable for new dog owners. These dogs shed very little and don't pose too many grooming problems.

History of the Rashon

The Rashon is a hybrid breed, a cross between a pure-bred Rat Terrier and a pure-bred Bichon frise.

 

        

A little of the Rat Terrier

        
The small, athletic Rat Terrier is an American breed that made excellent ratter dogs, and most farms had one. Their ancestry includes other terrier breeds such as the Old English White Terrier, Bull Terrier, Manchester Terrier and Fox Terrier. They have also been bred with Italian Greyhounds, Whippets and Beagles, making them faster hunters. Some of these dogs are born with incredibly short tails, while others have full tails. The Rat Terrier is said to have received its name from President Theodore Roosevelt, whose own dog eradicated the rat problem from the White House. In the mid-1950s, Rat Terrier numbers began to decline as farmers replaced them with poison to control rodent populations. The breed only reappeared in the 1970s with slightly larger dogs that were used to hunt wild pig, deer and bear. They were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2013.
Presentation of the Rat Terrier

 

        

A little of the Bichon frise

The Bichon frise is thought to be descended from the Barbet, a woolly water dog, and its name comes from “barbichon”, the diminutive of “barbet”. They are related to the Bolognese Bichon, Coton de Tuléar, Havanese Bichon and Maltese Bichon, all of which originated in the Mediterranean. The Bichon frise breed is Spanish in origin, and Spanish sailors brought the breed to Tenerife, according to some historians. In the 14th century, Italian sailors brought them back to Europe, then when the French invaded Italy in the 1500s, they brought many Bichon frises back to France. They were extremely popular with the royal family, and it was said that England's King Henry III wore his dogs in a special basket around his neck. The dogs were later used as circus performers. They first appeared in the United States in 1956, and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972.
Standard of the Bichon frise

Appearance of the Rashon

Rashons are sturdy little dogs weighing up to 5.5 kilos and measuring up to 30.5 centimeters. They have characteristics of the parent breeds Rat Terrier and Bichon frise with common colors such as black, brown, white and cream. The Bichon frise has a white double coat with a soft, dense undercoat and a coarse outer coat, while the Rat Terrier coat is short and smooth with a dense, glossy coat so your dog can have a combination of these. Your pet is likely to have expressive eyes that can be light hazel to dark brown or black. Their nose is usually black.

Temperament of the Rashon

The Rashon is a friendly little breed that thrives on human companionship and makes a good playmate for children. They are very energetic and will not cope well alone for long periods. These dogs will suit a family where there's someone at home most of the day, or an active senior who's willing to spend a lot of time with them. They can be a little wary of strangers, but will be friendly once they get to know the person. Rashons will get along with other dogs provided they are taken to socialization classes and trained from an early age. They'll thrive on praise and learn quickly, as they're highly intelligent dogs. But they are very sensitive, so don't use harsh words or a raised voice to scold them. They make good watchdogs and will always bark an alert if an intruder approaches. If they get enough exercise, they'll be happy to relax and snuggle with the family.

Needs and activities of the Rashon

The Rashon is an active, playful dog that will need plenty of exercise. They'll love a daily walk at the dog park or beach, and love to play at home too. You can throw a ball endlessly for this breed, and they won't tire of bringing it back to you. They'll also thrive on dog sports like agility and can learn to do tricks. These dogs can adapt well to apartment living, but would also prefer access to a fenced garden. Rashons are not overly sensitive to extreme weather conditions, but those with shorter coats will feel the cold, so don't leave them outside.

Maintenance of the Rashon

This breed doesn't shed much, and the parent breed Bichon frise is hypoallergenic, so your pet can be too. They're good for allergy sufferers. Whether your dog has the double coat of the Bichon frise or the short, smooth coat of the Rat Terrier will determine how much brushing is needed to keep your dog healthy. But brushing once or twice a week should be enough to get rid of any loose hair. Bathing your dog is only necessary occasionally, unless he falls into something undesirable. This breed can have tear stains just below its eyes, so try to keep this area clean and dry. Ears should also be checked regularly for dirt, and try to brush teeth daily if possible. Nails can be trimmed if necessary.

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