Appearance of the Decker Hunting Terrier
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The Decker Hunting Terrier, although larger on average than most Rat Terriers, is still a fairly small dog, with the largest usually weighing less than 18 kilos. They are slightly longer in body than they are tall, with a compact but flexible body and a head that has a smooth, blunt wedge shape with a strong, somewhat tapering muzzle that is slightly shorter than their skull. They have oval-shaped eyes that can be brown or hazel, and fairly large triangular ears that sit high on the skull and stand erect. Decker Hunting Terriers have smooth, close coats with a glossy appearance that are pied in color, which means they are mainly white with large patches of color, usually black, chocolate, red or blue, although lemon and apricot sometimes appear as well. Tan spots and badger marks are common on these dogs, and they may have looser or slightly wrinkled lips compared to other Fox and Rat terriers. |
Temperament of the Decker Hunting Terrier
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The Decker Hunting Terrier is a friendly, cheerful hunting companion or family dog. Like most Fox Terriers and Rat Terriers, Deckers are very alert and intelligent, but they tend to be slightly less yappy. This breed is curious and eager to learn, so they tend to grasp commands fairly quickly, and like to accompany you on excursions. However, they don't react as well to boredom or lack of obedience training, which can lead to anxious, territorial or destructive behavior. The Decker Hunting Terrier is generally good with children, especially if socialized with them at an early age, and is good with dogs of their size and above, but can hunt small animals, including small dogs. Although there are a few breeders who breed the dogs specifically for show or home, most breeders specializing in Decker Hunting Terriers continue to breed them to be the active hunting dogs that many of them are employed to be. |
Needs and activities of the Decker Hunting Terrier
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Decker Hunting Terriers, like most terrier breeds, are very high-energy dogs that require a lot of physical and mental stimulation throughout the day. This breed has a large prey drive and must be kept on a leash unless hunting or in a controlled environment, as they can hunt smaller animals. They are also highly intelligent and attentive, and although their prey can sometimes attract their attention, they are generally quite easy to train. Decker Hunting Terriers are versatile dogs, and are likely to excel in hunting-related activities, agility training and even advanced obedience-centered activities. |
Maintenance of the Decker Hunting Terrier
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This dog's short, single-ply coat sheds moderately year-round, but is easily managed with a weekly or twice-weekly thorough brushing using a smoother brush or grooming glove. Bathing is not necessary frequently for this breed, and shampoos and other products must be chosen with care as they are a little more prone to skin allergies than the average. Particular attention should be paid to the ears to ensure they are kept clean and dry to prevent infection. Terrier breeds such as the Fox Terrier and Rat Terrier, from which the Decker Hunting Terrier was developed, are also slightly more likely to develop dental disease, so it's important to ensure that their dental hygiene is taken care of too. Ear and tooth infections can be costly to treat. |