This is an ongoing survey that is producing some interesting results.  We have had 25 respondents so far.  In the coming weeks, a different survey format will be issued on the NRTA website with a more "user friendly" rating system.  90% of those that responded only OWNED or bred Deckers.  Meaning that 10% had both sizes.

Below is a synopsis of the surveys that have been received so far.

90% said that Decker and Standard Rat Terriers are the only type owned or raised.

10% said they also have mini Rat Terriers

The average respondent owns 8 deckers (50% or above)

87.5% say they notice behavioral differences in Deckers as compared to other Rat Terrier types
Some comments on Decker behavioral differences and traits are:
"...prey drive is certainly stronger than my other rat.  She has also tried to scare my other rat off of my lap, but responds well to correction"
"I think the Decker line dogs show more "Thinking" prior to actime than the smaller versions"
"The Deckers are definitely more same sex dog aggressive.  You do see this in standard Rat Terriers but not to the degree you see with Deckers"
"Less than desirable mothering skills"
"Hunting skills above and beyond Standard Rat Terriers"
"Deckers have a more serious nature than the smaller counterparts"

37% of Deckers are food aggressive.
Some comments on food aggression are:
"Yes, but they have been trained to give it up.  A growl from any will keep the other away.  Sometimes, they eat from the same dish"
"I have noticed aggression in certain family lines of Deckers"
"...food aggression comes primarily from the males"
"I free-feed and they have to eat together.  Of course there is a pecking order ~ the alpha dines first but not really any food aggression"

90% of Deckers display some type of aggression.
Some comments on aggresion are:
"Toys and the boys not getting along when their girls are in heat"
"...keep them separated till it's (heat) over"
"Dogs are fine unless a female is in heat"
"Females can fight over toys or such"
"more trouble with my females than males"
"High prey drive, and serious nature, they need daily outlets or they could go after any small animal, even a puppy"
"...can be aggressive, but quickly gets with a verbal correction"
"Same sex aggression is the biggest problem I have"
"Decker female will stalk and chase after another dog ...when she catches up, she will stand over the dog after it is tackled"
"Fighting between males and some posturing, ...but now they sleep side by side"

5% said that the aggression issues were difficult to work through
80% of Deckers go to pet homes.
25% of Deckers are used for hunting.
100% of Decker breeders follow up on the pup's progress by one year of age.
80% of breeders hear of behavioral issues after the puppy leaves the kennel.

Some comments about the puppies are:
""aggressive issues with other dogs"
"Shyness"
"owners have not put forth the effort make the dogs good canine citizens"
"housebreaking"
"lack of socialization on the owner's part"
"Young male...very aggressive toward humans and other animals"

When asked if the "Decker should either be classified as its own breed with its own separate registry or just remain classified as a Decker Rat Terrier", the respondents gave some of the following answers.

"yes (they should be separated), but only when breeders can learn to get along and respect each other"
"...the numbers need to be much higher so there is more diversity"
"we should pursue separate breed status"
"I don't know.  I give up.  I don't care"
"The decker IS its own breed started from the Rat Terrier.  The problem I see is the limited number of breeders..."
"I think some limited outcrossing could solve the problem and create a much larger gene pool"
"There is much work to be done with this line"

50% is the number that most all respondents agree should be the minimum requirement to be considered a Decker.  Some of the respondents stressed the importance of allowing a good outcross program.

     The registry that best supported the Decker (other than the NRTA) was UKCI.  This was due to the fact that they were the only other registry that acknowledged them as Decker Rat Terriers.  It is important to note the NRTA is the ONLY registry that tracks %'s for the Deckers.

     Registries used by the respondents were NRTA, UKC, AKC FSS, and UKCI

     And finally, "What changes, if any, would you like to see made with regard to the Decker Rat Terrier in the future?"

"None.  Just start cloning them.  If all were ...clones, I'd be a happy camper"
"I would like to see Deckers with a softer disposition toward other dogs while maintaining there hunting drives because they are hard to keep (or hunt) together"
"...more testing (OFA etc...), or at least knowledge of the individual lines"
"breeders taking responsibility for well planned outcross breedings"
"Now that we have a base of 100% Dogs, I would like to see outcrossing to lower percentage Deckers to increase the gene pool, producing pups above 50%"
"...a good breed standard should be written"
"The size difference is too great at 20-50lbs"
"Deckers should just stay with NRTA as Decker Rat Terriers"
"the dogs should be bred as they are today, it is still too early in the process to think about change"