Decker Rat Terrier Chapter Club

     The NRTA had created a chapter club for the Decker strain of Rat Terrier in 1998 because many individuals were searching for this type of Rat. Since then we have been gathering information that has taken many years. We are now at the point to revive the Decker Rat Terrier Chapter Club.

     Anyone interested in becoming a member of this club may contact the NRTA or our Decker Advisory Team. They will be taking suggestions, comments, answering questions, gathering information, photos and any other pertinent information in regards to Decker line dogs  and helping to get some of the lost dogs registered with the NRTR.
Thank you all in advance.

     The Decker Strain is a worthy and significant enough to take a hard look at, as it now exists today. Milton Decker, the founder and developer of this strain of Rat Terrier had accomplished a wondrous feat.

The NRTA's search for Decker dogs has been successful. We have found a number of breeders who either have some pure Deckers or still have the Decker lines. From what we have seen they have held true to the strain that Mr. Decker had produced. The NRTR database now includes Decker dogs from the beginning to the present time. The strong foundation that we have established will enable the NRTA to trace the history back to all Deckers that are now being produced across the USA. We have complete records on all original dogs that came out of the Deckers Kennel. The Decker Rat Terrier is being registered along with the percentage of Decker blood that is actually carried.
 

      There are some subtle differences seen within the Decker Lines that sets them apart from any other size of Rat Terrier.  Their skull is a somewhat broader type that tends to wedge into the muzzle and square off. Commonly they are seen with some face wrinkle and possess a very regal elegance regardless of their size. And there is what has been fondly dubbed the "look" of the Decker Rat Terrier.  The average weight for females generally ranges from 22-28 lbs. with more and more larger females being produced recently.  Males 28-40 lbs. although most commonly seen up to32 pounds. Heights range from 16"-19" though occasionally larger and smaller dogs are seen.

     There are attributes of the Decker and all Rat Terriers alike that must always be kept. 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 watchdog with keen alert senses picking up intruders very quickly.

     The Decker is at a point that makes them in grave danger of being lost forever. In order to build back up the hard work that was done by Milton Decker, the strain must carefully be looked at by the most experienced of breeders that have a very broad knowledge of the breed.

How to Build up the Gene Pool

       No doubt the Standard size Rat Terrier has and will have to be bred into the Decker lines to increase the population but if selection is confined to one narrowly defined type, the result will almost inevitably be the accidental selection of various undesirable characteristics. Standards for building should include selection in regards to health, hunting ability, behavior, vigor and fertility as well as body form. The Decker has long surpassed being bred for a show dog and that alone. To take the dog on size and look alone would be the destruction of the purpose that Milton Decker had in mind. Of course this thought also reflects on the Rat Terrier in general.

     The Decker is not simply a big Rat Terrier.  Using the Decker lines and bred to a Standard size Rat without looking at the subtle differences as stated above that every Decker owner is quite aware of would make them a standard/giant size Rat Terrier and that alone. The subtle qualities of the Decker must remain in the strain for it to continue as it is today and what is was originally developed for.

     When choosing a Rat Terrier to breed with a Decker line dog the Rat must have a like head structure that is some what broader with erect ears. Decker paid close attention to his ears and had set it in with good stability. There is no body Type B in the strain and should be carefully guarded against. His conformation must be scrutinized and the background carefully checked for continuity in the lines. He must also have pure colors of only the Black Tri, Black and White, Black and Tan, Tan and white or Sable and white. The Rat of choice must have exquisite hunting ability and an unshakable temperament. These are all the traits that Decker had carefully worked on and successfully accomplished. To breed carelessly would be a shame for the breed.

      The NRTA will continue to include the Decker as a Rat Terrier and will continue to support the growth of the breed. In order to register a Decker with the NRTR it must show a complete pedigree and verifiable Decker blood coming down in the pedigree and be traceable to the original Decker lines. Any dog that shows out crossing to any breed other than the Rat Terrier or any pedigree that skips more than one generation from Decker Blood will not be eligible for registration as a Decker.  It must always retain at least 50% Decker bloodlines. A history and pedigree must be submitted to the Decker Advisory Team for approval.

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