Home | Page Title

Decker Rat Terriers

HISTORY/DEVELOPMENT OF THE DECKER STRAIN OF RAT TERRIER

It all began with the love of a dog named Henry. You see, this Rat Terrier, to Milton Decker an avid hunting enthusiast, possessed qualities that are seen only once in a lifetime. Henry was a 32 pound male with button ears and exhibited tremendous working and hunting qualities. He was quite intelligent with a wonderful disposition and a superb all round family dog.
Being so taken with this dog, and wanting to preserve what they had found, Milton embarked on a journey about the year 1970. He traveled from Oregon to as far away as Texas, Kansas and Mississippi; searching for the largest Rat Terriers he could locate for breeding stock to recreate his ideal of the perfect dog. By breeding the Henry dog to the Rat Terrier stock that he had obtained the Decker strain was on its way to development.
Because there was a need for larger dogs
Decker's Henry 32lbs

at the time, this made way for breeding and retaining the large size. He succeeded in doing this along with fixing in an erect ear set. And so the name Decker "Giant" came into existence.

The dogs that he produced from these lines lived up to all his expectations. Here was a utility dog that was an excellent all round hunter. Vermin, squirrel, bird and upland quail were commonly hunted and they would also retrieve from the water when necessary. These dogs were capable of baying up wild pig and would tree just about anything. They were also skilled in hunting big game like deer, cougar and bear. Some were even used on Jaguar in Central America before they hit the endangered species list. Bow hunters loved them because they were such great scent trailers. The dog would stay within 300 feet of the hunter and have been known to even turn the hunt back.
Natural instinct without any training makes them valuable to the farmer. They will efficiently and quickly rid a farm of mice with a quick shake, a toss over their shoulder and proceed onward. When presented with many mice to kill at once, what couldn't be put in his mouth to kill was pinned down with his paws until he could get to them.
The Rat Terrier has proven invaluable in states where new laws have prohibited the use of poison baits or traps. They help to control pocket gophers and feral pigs on
ranches that are plagued with them.
Their ability is not limited to hunting. His quiet demeanor also makes him an excellent apartment dog. He rates par excellent being unequaled in the sport of
Schutzund.
The average weight for females generally ranges from 22-28 lbs. Males 28-40 lbs. Heights range from 16"-19" though occasionally larger and smaller dogs are seen.

There are some subtle differences seen within the Decker Lines. They have a somewhat broader type of skull that tends to wedge into the muzzle and square off, and are commonly seen with some face wrinkle. They possess a very regal and elegant look regardless of their size. Though their tendencies are not to bark, when alerted or treeing they voice with a coarse bark. The Decker dog has the same character as the Rat Terrier but tends to be a tad bit more aloof and independent. Their average lifespan is 15 to 16 years. The most solid attribute that they share exclusively with the Rat Terrier is an undying will to please their master and a need to be near him. With this strong willingness to please, the teaching of aggressive behavior should be avoided at all costs.

Their intelligence is far supreme to most breeds, holds extremely keen senses and a loyalty that transcends them as a family dog. The three qualities that are essential to the Rat Terrier breed are easily seen in the Decker Strain.

Quality 1. A capable utility/hunting dog.
Quality 2. A wonderful family companion.
Quality 3. A watch dog with keen alert senses picking up intruders very quickly.

Although Milton Decker retired from breeding in 1991, This highly prized strain of Rat Terrier can still be found dispersed throughout the country with breeders located in California, Oregon, Florida, Alabama and Michigan.






Decker's Henry 32 lbs
deckershenery.jpg
Foundation Sire of the Decker Line

Milton Decker with Deckers Towser 35lbs
milton.jpg
and Deckers Stella 28lbs

Wildwood Decker Rat Terriers

Seegmiller's Decker Rat Terriers

Bluegrass Decker Rat Terriers

Blue Granite Kennels

Rat Pack Kennels

Pecatonica Rat Terriers

As breeders and preservationists of the Decker line of rat terrier, we would all like to extend a huge Thank you to Tim Brown who held this line together after Milton could no longer do it. As well as for all the guidence and friendship that he has extended to each and every breeder, helping us do our best in preserving this wonderful line of rat terriers.

Decker Rat Terrier Breeders

eXTReMe Tracker