About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 41-69 cm

Height range  : 20-53cm

Weight range : 4-11kg

Coat : short , dense , smooth or slightly hard single coat

Life expectancy years : 12-16

Colors: white with black|black and white|white and tan|white and blue|white and chocolate|white and fawn|white and lemon|white and red|tricolor|sable and white|solid white|black|red|brown|blue|pied.

Activitity Level : High

Origin: United States

Similar Breeds : Rat Terrier|Tenterfield Terrier|Fox Paulistinha|Parson Russell Terrier

 

History

The breed developed in the United States from working terriers brought by English miners and other working-class immigrants in the 19th century. It shares early history with the Rat Terrier and emerged as the shorter-legged more muscular bench-legged type used as a farm ratter. A breed standard was developed in 1995 , the UKC recognized it separately in 1999 , the AKC accepted full recognition in 2026.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

bold|tenacious|protective|reserved with strangers|eager to please|energetic

Personality

lively|friendly|affectionate|playful|loyal|alert|people-oriented|smart

Needs

daily exercise|mental stimulation|secure leash or fencing|basic training|routine dental care|owner involvement

Social Needs

deeply devoted to family and sometimes one person|can do well with children , cats and other dogs when raised with them|should be kept away from small prey pets and introduced slowly

Grooming 

The short dense coat is low maintenance and usually needs quick weekly brushing with a rubber curry , soft bristle , slicker or firm bristle brush. Bathing can be done every 4 to 6 weeks or as needed , with regular ear checks , nail trims and routine tooth brushing.

Nutrition

Feed a high-quality diet formulated for size , age and activity level and avoid overfeeding because obesity can worsen joint and spine problems. Measured twice-daily meals and portion control are helpful with life-stage guidance from a veterinarian.

 

Breed Standard

low-set muscular terrier with body longer than tall|broad slightly domed blunt wedge head|V-shaped ears that may be erect , semi-erect or button|oval oblique eyes|short dense coat with white base and patches|tail may be docked , bobtail or natural upward curve

Did you know?

The breed is closely tied to old farm ratters and even gained public attention through Theodore Roosevelt and White House vermin stories. Some modern dogs are also noted for locating black truffles underground.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Primary Lens Luxation, Luxating Patella, Intervertebral Disc Disease, Atopic Dermatitis, Hip Dysplasia

 

Symptoms

1. Sudden ocular pain
2. Excessive tearing
3. Squinting
4. Red , hazy or cloudy eye
5. Rapid vision loss may occur.

1. Intermittent skipping gait
2. Sudden hopping on three legs
3. Audible popping in the knee joint may occur
4. Joint stiffness
5. Reluctance to jump or climb.

1. Back or neck pain
2. Severe spinal stiffness
3. Reluctance to jump or take stairs
4. Wobbliness or ataxia
5. Hind-limb weakness or paralysis may occur.

1. Chronic itching
2. Redness around face , paws , axillae and groin
3. Frequent ear infections
4. Face rubbing may occur
5. Darkened or thickened skin may develop.

1. Bunny-hopping gait
2. Difficulty or stiffness when rising
3. Reluctance to run , jump or climb stairs
4. Hind-limb muscle atrophy
5. Observable hip pain may occur.

Onset of symptoms

 

Primary Lens Luxation

It typically manifests between 3 and 8 years of age and structural eye changes may already be evident at about 20 months.

Probability Of Onset:

High breed-specific risk is described and terrier breeds are predisposed. Dogs with two copies of the ADAMTS17 variant are at the highest risk and dogs with one copy have increased risk.

Luxating Patella

It typically becomes noticeable between 4 and 12 months of age although mild grades may remain undiagnosed until adulthood.

Probability Of Onset:

High breed-specific risk is described in small terriers and the breed is routinely screened for patella concerns.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

Disc degeneration begins from birth to 1 year of age in chondrodystrophic dogs and Type I IVDD is usually first recognized in young adult dogs with breed-specific differences.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate to high breed-specific risk is described because chondrodystrophic conformation and the FGF4 retrogene increase risk for Type I IVDD in dogs with one or two copies.

Atopic Dermatitis

It typically develops between 1 and 4 years of age and many affected dogs begin signs under 3 years of age.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate to high risk is described because terrier-type atopy and breed predisposition are recognized.

Hip Dysplasia

It can present during rapid growth from about 4 to 12 months of age or later in life as osteoarthritis develops.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate risk is described and expression may worsen with rapid growth and excess weight in predisposed dogs.

Reasons

Primary Lens Luxation       

 Structural support from healthy zonular fibers is lacking because the lens suspensory apparatus breaks down. The supplied texts link this inherited weakness to the ADAMTS17 gene. Normal lens stability is therefore lost and the lens may displace forward or backward. Forward displacement can rapidly increase eye pressure and cause glaucoma.

 

Intervertebral Disc Disease

Normal disc resilience is lacking because the nucleus pulposus hardens and degenerates early in chondrodystrophic dogs. The supplied texts link this risk to the FGF4 retrogene and premature disc calcification. Cushioning support between vertebrae is therefore reduced and disc material may rupture through the annulus. Pressure on the spinal cord and nerves can then cause pain , weakness or paralysis.

 

Primary Lens Luxation       

 Structural support from healthy zonular fibers is lacking because the lens suspensory apparatus breaks down. The supplied texts link this inherited weakness to the ADAMTS17 gene. Normal lens stability is therefore lost and the lens may displace forward or backward. Forward displacement can rapidly increase eye pressure and cause glaucoma.

Intervertebral Disc Disease:

Normal disc resilience is lacking because the nucleus pulposus hardens and degenerates early in chondrodystrophic dogs. The supplied texts link this risk to the FGF4 retrogene and premature disc calcification. Cushioning support between vertebrae is therefore reduced and disc material may rupture through the annulus. Pressure on the spinal cord and nerves can then cause pain , weakness or paralysis.

 

Luxating Patella

 Normal alignment of the quadriceps mechanism is lacking because the kneecap is not guided securely within the femoral groove. A shallow trochlear groove and medial displacement of the tibial tuberosity reduce normal tracking support. No nutrient deficiency is identified as the direct cause. Joint instability can therefore alter gait and increase wear over time.

Atopic Dermatitis

Normal skin barrier protection is lacking because epidermal barrier defects allow allergens to penetrate more easily. Balanced immune regulation is also lacking because immunological dysregulation drives exaggerated inflammatory responses. These defects can increase susceptibility to pollen , dust mites , molds and similar triggers. Chronic inflammation can then sustain pruritus , ear disease and skin thickening.

Hip Dysplasia

Normal hip joint stability is lacking because the coxofemoral joint forms incorrectly and becomes lax. Cartilage protection is reduced as inherited laxity leads to abnormal wear and bony remodeling. Proper growth control may also be lacking when rapid weight gain and overfeeding worsen expression in predisposed dogs. The resulting instability can increase pain and osteoarthritis risk.

Normally Treament Methods

Primary Lens Luxation:

  1. Anterior lens luxation may require emergency management with medication to decrease eye pressure followed by prompt surgical lens extraction by an ophthalmology specialist. Long-term topical eye medications may be needed and delayed care is not recommended because blindness may occur rapidly.

 

Luxating Patella:

  1. Mild cases may be managed with weight control , temporary exercise restriction , physical therapy , anti-inflammatory medication and joint support. Severe or painful cases may require surgical correction such as trochlear wedge procedures or tibial tuberosity transposition.

 

Intervertebral Disc Disease

  1. Early intervention may provide the best outcome. Milder cases may be managed with rest , pain medications , ideal body condition , lower-spine-stress activity changes and some supportive supplementation while severe neurologic cases may require surgical intervention.

 

Atopic Dermatitis:

  1. Diagnosis may require history , clinical examination and exclusion of other dermatoses because no reliable biomarker confirms the disease by itself. Management may include allergen avoidance , medicated baths , topical therapies , immune-modulating medication and allergen-specific immunotherapy while saliva testing is not recommended.

 

Hip Dysplasia:

  1. Management may include healthy weight control , low-impact exercise , NSAIDs , physical therapy , rehabilitation and supportive supplements. Severe cases may require referral for surgical options such as femoral head and neck ostectomy or total hip replacement and affected dogs should not be bred. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Primary Lens Luxation :

  • 1. Lutein can,might be helpful for general eye tissue support.
    2. Zeaxanthin can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    3. Astaxanthin can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    4. Vitamin C can,might be helpful for general eye tissue support.
    5. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
recommend product

Luxating Patella

  • 1. Glucosamine hydrochloride can,might be helpful for cartilage support.
    2. Chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for cartilage and joint support.
    3. MSM can,might be helpful for joint comfort support.
    4. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA can,might be helpful for joint inflammation support.
recommend product

Intervertebral Disc Disease

  • 1. Glucosamine can,might be helpful for disc and joint support.
    2. Chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for disc support.
    3. Hyaluronic acid can,might be helpful for tissue support.
    4. MSM can,might be helpful for comfort support.
    5. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for spinal inflammation support.
recommend product

Atopic Dermatitis

  • 1. Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids can,might be helpful for skin barrier support.
    2. Quercetin can,might be helpful for immune response support.
    3. Probiotics can,might be helpful for immune balance support.
recommend product

Hip Dysplasia

  • 1. Glucosamine hydrochloride can,might be helpful for cartilage support.
    2. Chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for cartilage hydration support.
    3. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for inflammation support.
    4. Green-lipped mussel extract can,might be helpful for joint support.
recommend product