What is a Decker Rat Terrier?
Is there a difference between a Decker Line Rat Terrier (Decker) and a Standard Rat Terrier? Yes! Indeed, there is.
The smaller framed, thinner boned Rat Terrier has Chihuahua among other breeds in their lineage. If you look at this old ancestry treeĀ of the Rat Terrier as outlined by the Rat Terrier Club of America there is no Basenji anywhere in there.
(Click Image To Enlarge)
Understanding Decker Rat Terriers
Decker Rat Terriers are a line of large Rat Terrier that goes by many different names such as the Decker, Decker Giant Rat Terrier, and Decker Hunting Terrier. Decker Rat Terriers have Basenji among other breeds in their lineage. They are usually larger, bigger boned dogs that are less yappy due to the addition of the Basenji and tend to have a high prey drive. The addition of Basenji also gives the Decker Rat Terrier itās elegant, regal appearance.
These larger sized Rat Terriers were first developed by Milton Decker in the 70ās and became known as Decker Rat Terriers. He was looking for the ideal hunting dog that at the end of a busy day could also be a beloved companion.
UKC recognized Decker Rat Terriers by formal registration and Mr. Decker left his work with the breed and requested that the UKC remove his family name from these dogs. Instead of the UKC just changing their name, they just removed the Decker Rat Terrier designation and simply listed them as Rat Terriers by UKC registration. Deckers should not have been registered as Rat Terriers because of the Basenji in their lineage and in doing so has confined us to breeding with Rat Terriers which over time due to the influence of the Chihuahua and other toy breeds in their lineage will diminish the size that we cherish in our Decker Terriers. Learn more about the history of this great breed here:Ā History Of The Breed
Original Decker Terrier Lines
LIST COMPILED BY MILTON DECKER
The ONLY way a Decker Terrier can be a Decker Terrier is if any of these dogs are in the Pedigree.
Deckers Badger Female 4-Jul-86
Deckers Brandy Female 30-Jan-78
Deckers Buford Male
Deckers Candy Female 19-Jan-85
Deckers Chase
Deckers Christine Female
Deckers Cougar Female 4-Jul-86
Deckers Crystal Female 11-Jun-86
Deckers Duke Male 3-Sep-83
Deckers Echo Female 12-Sep-79
Deckers Henry Male 29-Aug-72
Deckers Jolly Male 5-Jun-83
Deckers Josh Male
Deckers Katy Female 13-Mar-84
Deckers Kodiak Male 7-Dec-87
Deckers Lacy Female 24-Sep-77
Deckers Lady Female 24-Sep-77
Deckers Lila Female
Deckers Little Brandy Female 30-Jul-85
Deckers Liza Female 2-Sep-78
Deckers Mandy Female 15-Nov-78
Deckers Marcella Female 19-Jan-82
Deckers Matilda Female
Deckers Mindy Female 15-Nov-78
Deckers Misty Female 19-Jan-82
Deckers Muggins Male 17-Sep-79
Deckers Oregon Belle Female 12-Mar-80
Deckers Peaches Female 12-Mar-80
Deckers Penny Female 4-Jan-85
Deckers Perky Female 4-Sep-83
Deckers Pippi Female 29-Dec-78
Deckers Prince Male 3-Sep-83
Deckers Princess Female 20-Aug-83
Deckers Puffer Female 20-Jan-79
Deckers Rowdy Male
Deckers Sable Female 11-Oct-87
Deckers Sadie Female
Deckers Sambo Male
Deckers Shortcake Female
Deckers Smiley Male
Deckers Southern Belle Female 4-Sep-78
Deckers Spur Male 13-Mar-84
Deckers Stella Female 19-Jan-82
Deckers Sugar Female 6-Sep-82
Deckers Sunshine Female 12-Sep-79
Deckers Suzie Q Female 13-Jan-78
Deckers Texas Star Female 13-Jan-78
Deckers Tigerlily Male 4-Jan-85
Deckers Towser Male 3-Feb-82
Deckers Tuffy Female 5-Jun-83
Deckers Twinky Female 29-Dec-78
Deckers Velvet Female
Deckers Wragler Male
Deckers Zack (Basenji) Male
Picture courtesy of Milton Decker
Thinking About Getting A Decker Rat Terrier?
Do you think you might be interested in getting a Decker Terrier?Ā Contact usĀ today to learn more about upcoming litters and how you can reserve your future best friend.