How to Get Started Breeding Rat Terriers

Rat terrier puppies are bundles of energy and make entertaining pets, so if you have a healthy and handsome terrier you may be tempted to breed it. Many people mistakenly think that dog breeding is a quick way to make money, but in reality it is expensive, stressful and time-consuming. Those who truly love these dogs will not contribute to existing genetic problems and will only breed the best representatives of the breed. If you feel prepared to handle these conditions, the best place to get started for breeding your rat terrier is with extensive health testing.

Instructions

    • 1

      Register your rat terriers with a purebred dog club such as the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club. You can only do this if you have your dog's lineage or pedigree information that shows your dog, its parents and grandparents are all full-blooded rat terriers.

    • 2

      Enter your dogs into conformation shows through your local breed club. Dogs are evaluated according to the rat terrier breed standard based on physical characteristics, temperament, size, color and more. Dogs win "points" if they are good quality rat terriers, and can achieve titles and rankings. If your dog has trouble earning points, it may not be a good candidate for breeding.

    • 3

      Have your rat terriers screened for deafness by your veterinarian. If there is a possibility the dog is deaf, take your dog to a BAER testing facility for specialized testing.

    • 4

      Have your dogs' DNA tested for the gene for primary lens luxation through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Primary lens luxation is a painful genetic eye problem that can affect rat terriers.

    • 5

      Have your rat terriers' elbows, hips and knees screened for problems through your veterinarian and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for deformities. Rat terriers can carry genetic issues including hip and elbow dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes disorder and patellar luxation.

    • 6

      Have cardiac exams performed on your dogs by a vet. There are genetic heart problems that can be passed on through breeding in rat terriers.

    • 7

      Have your dogs tested by a vet for canine brucellosis, a bacterial infection that causes abortion and infertility in dogs if passed during mating. This should be done once a month for six months prior to mating.