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Ratese |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
U.S.A. <> Central Mediterranean Basin -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Ratese |
| The Ratese is a hybrid cross between the Maltese and the Rat Terrier. They will remain small, generally weighing around 7 kilos and measuring around 25.5 centimeters high at the shoulders. Their coats are generally medium to long and sparse, with fine hairs of almost any color, usually bicolor or tricolor. This breed is energetic and cheerful, with a playful disposition that makes them excellent pets. However, they get nervous around young children and do best in a child-free home. They like other pets if properly socialized, but tend to like being the center of attention. |
History of the Ratese |
| Although the Ratese hybrid has been around for around 20 years, it still doesn't have much verifiable history. The backgrounds of the parent dogs, the Maltese and the Rat Terrier, are usually used for a story. |
A little of the Rat Terrier |
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| The Rat Terrier is an American-created dog that has been around since the 1800s, when American farmers bred small Terriers with Beagles, Whippets and Greyhounds to make a small rat dog. The breed is fast and talented as a rodent hunter both above and below ground, and quickly became popular as a pet and guard dog due to its courage and loyalty. Theodore Roosevelt had several Rat Terriers during his tenure at the White House, and they were nicknamed “Teddy's Terriers”. It was some time before they were noticed in America and they were only recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2013.s that Greyhound and Whippet breeds were used in the Midwest to give the Rat Terrier fleet capabilities against fast hares. | ||
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| Presentation of the Rat Terrier |
A little of the Maltese |
| The Maltese takes its name from Malta, where it was born sometime around 500 BC from the Spitz dog and the Tibetan Terrier. Records of the breed found by archaeologists in ancient Roman and Greek literature indicate that Aristotle was the first to own one of these dogs, which was mentioned in a document written in 350 BC. The breed was considered to have healing powers and was used as a comforter for the sick in ancient Egypt, then later in Europe. However, the Maltese is known by many different names such as the Maltese Lion Dog, Bichon, Spaniel Gentle, Comforter, Roman Ladies Dog, Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta and the Melitae Dog. The breed finally made its way to the USA and was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1888, where it is considered the 33rd most popular dog breed. |
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| Standard of the Maltese |
Appearance of the Ratese |
| The Ratese can be any color but is most often seen in fawn, sable, brindle, merle, black, brown, beige, red, white, lemon, piebald or any combination of these colors. They have oval gray, hazel, blue or dark brown eyes and a black nose on a small, pointed muzzle. Their bodies are generally sturdy but small, longer than they are tall, with broad chests and arched backs. They are generally small, averaging around 7 kilos in weight and measuring around 25.5 centimetres in height. Its tail curls over its back when it's not wagging, which it does almost all the time. |
Temperament of the Ratese |
| Both the Rat Terrier and the Maltese are friendly dogs, but they're wary of small children and strangers, so they need to be properly trained and socialized. In fact, even if your dog is socialized, you need to supervise him around children to be safe. They're easy to train but can be a bit stubborn, so you need to be consistent and patient. Don't use corporal punishment as this can provoke aggression in any dog. They like to play with other animals, but are a strong prey for rodents and animals of this variety such as hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits. |
Needs and activities of the Ratese |
| The Ratese has a high activity level, so you'll need to take your dog out for at least an hour to 90 minutes of vigorous activity every day. This will keep them happy and prevent boredom, which can make some dogs anxious and even develop certain bad habits like barking too much and chewing things. Some popular activities to do with your Ratese include playing Frisbee, flyball, fetch, taking long walks around your neighborhood or in the park, playing with other dogs at the dog park, and they're even good at agility competitions. |
Maintenance of the Ratese |
| To keep your Ratese looking and feeling good, you need to brush it thoroughly at least four or five times a week. It's best to use a pin brush and a comb to get all the fine hairs that can get tangled. In fact, you may need to use a detangler from time to time to avoid too much matting. You may need to use a mild conditioner and a conditioning shampoo when bathing to prevent hair breakage and static electricity. Their ears should be cleaned once a week and their nails trimmed with a nail clipper once a month. |
English (United Kingdom)