Do they have a doggie odor?
A properly fed and kept rat terrier will not have a
Doggy odor, instead will actually smell good.

Will she run out through or jump over our 6 foot fence?
Some larger rat terriers will climb a fence or dig
under.  The fence must be wood and solid or
something similar. Smaller rats can push through a chainlink or chew through a picket fence.

Will she be more active than Poodle/chi?
Rats come in a variety of energy levels. Most are
energetic but not hyper. A few might be very 'laid
Back'.

Will she be a hunter? Digging in the dirt, etc., or is the small size the same as all the other tiny breeds, just loving and wanting to cuddle close to us all the time?
Toy tot rats are never interested much in hunting and really prefer to stay in and close to the
human with a lot of laps and be spoiled. Some will
dig but can be deterred from bad habits.

Do they have a sense of humor?
Rats come in all different personalities.  Most
very small do also.  The tot rat is really a different
style of personality than it's larger relatives.

Diseases?
Rats have very few medical problems occur in their
life.  Look at the medical history of the parents and
grandparents. Usually just the usual getting old with bone joint maladies, and general aging.

Suzanne......the most wonderful thing about the Rat Terrier is they love the human more than their own breed.  They are in great need of human contact and are totally devoted to pleasing the human. This makes it quiet easy train.  They learn English extremely well, so well that you have to spell words that you don't want your baby to know.  They have a way and a sense about them that makes you think ....'are they really a dog?' very often owners will say 'I don't believe my baby is a dog ....he doesn't act like any dog i have ever had.  I contact with him as though he were human. I believe he came from another planet or world'.  You are right......there is something very different about a rat....they are sooo sweet and relating with intelligence that is awesome.  It seems they read your mind and you will find you can read there mind too.  You have never know happiness until you own a rat or should I say you are owned by a rat.  If you have one ....you will find that you have to have one or two or Three.............BarbaraCox

QUOTE:
Vaccinations: All Veterinary Schools in North America Changing Vaccination Protocols

Recent editions of the Senior Dogs Project's newsletter have reported on the ever-broadening trend of eliminating vaccinations for adult dogs, except for rabies, where required by state law.

We have now had a report that all 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs and
cats. Here, in a nutshell, are the new guidelines under consideration: "Dogs and cats immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus (MLV) vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces immunity, which is good for the life of the pet (i.e., canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper). If another MLV vaccine is given a
year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not
'boosted' nor are more memory cells induced.

"Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and
immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines. Puppies receive antibodies through their mothers milk.
This natural protection can last 8-14 weeks. Puppies and kittens should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity
will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced. Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, delay the timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart
suppress rather than stimulate the immune system. A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age. Another vaccination given sometime after 6
months of age (usually at 1 year 4 months) will provide lifetime immunity."

END QUOTE

When I say to move, it means go someplace else, not switch positions with each other so there are still two dogs in the way.

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it  becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by Nascar and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help, because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king size bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue to sleep on the couch to ensure your comfort. Look at videos of dogs sleeping, they can
actually curl up in a ball. It is not necessary to sleep
perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible

My compact discs are not miniature Frisbees.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, try to turn the knob, or try to get
your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. In addition, I have been using bathrooms for years, canine attendance is not mandatory.

The proper order is kiss me, *then* go smell the other dogs butt. I cannot stress this enough. It would be such a simple change for you.

Thank You,
Mom