Contessa, or "Tess," (also "Tessa," "Stinky," "Poopy," and "goooooood girl. gooooood dog") is now 3 months old and looking more like a dog and less like a puppy. We've taken some more recent pictures, you can find the link at the bottom of this page. She's learning Fetch (yes, the important tricks, no SIT or STAY or COME for this dog, not yet) and is becoming more certain that going to the bathroom inside is NOT the proper place. Leashes are still interesting, as are shadows, we've discovered while walking her at night. They are apparently fearsome things which demand forceful barking to keep them in line.

She's a Rat Terrier (despite what the RTCA [link provided for fairness's sake] might say), this rat family agrees with the NRTA's view that a breed can be divided into types and still remain pure. The RTCA has been successful in convincing at least one kennel club to rename the shorter legged variety of Rat, calling them Teddy Roosevelt Terriers -- See the breed standards at the RTCA's site below. We feel that a breed that is currently gaining popularity with breeders and owners should be more inclusive as long as it doesn't harm the breed stock, which, in our view, "varieties" do not. We consider Tess to be a Class B variety (shorter-legged) Rat Terrier.

Rats are a breed which is not officially recognized by the AKC but nonetheless has been a part of America since the 1890's. They were bred from English terriers known as "Feists," with Fox Terriers, Beagles, and Italian Greyhounds. President Roosevelt owned several of the dogs and kept them in the White House to kill (you guessed it) rats. You can read more about the breed's history at the links below.

View Contessa's Pedigree

Visit Wishbone Kennels in Sorrento

National Rat Terrier Association

Rat Terrier Club of America

This Rat Terrier Ring site owned by John and Stephanie Devenney.