Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac vs Rat Terrier - Breed Comparison

Breeding of the Slovak Hruborsty Stavac, fondly referred to as the SHS began around the 1940s.

There were some dog lovers who were interested in crossing the coarse haired dogs of Slovakia with the German Wirehaired, the Czech blower and the Weimaraner. The outcome was a rough-haired kind of Weimaraner-looking dog.

While hunters and hunting were quite common in Slovakia, the breed became rather rare with the wars when hunting became less, but the dog was reconstructed by breeders, but is still rare outside Slovakia.

Known also as the American Rat Terrier or even as the Rattie, this American dog breed is a farm dog, common on family farms during the 1920's and 1930's.

Miniatures or Standards, these dogs are also recognized by the American Kennel Clubs and thought of today as a multi-purpose companion dog.

He is an American dog breed, having come about from Fox Terriers, Old English White Terriers, Bull Terriers, Manchester Terriers and others. Whippets and Italian Greyhounds have also come into the mix to add speed as a characteristic.

The Rat Terrier started to decline in numbers, and by the 1950's the numbers of the dog were so low that breeders stepped in to restore numbers.

The dog is fairly large, standing at between 62 and 68cm in height and weighs 25 - 35kg. The coat is fairly coarse and dense and is a grey/silver shade with a touch of brown.

There is quite a bit of hair around the face. The ears are medium length and floppy and the tail is mostly docked to half its length but can be left long as well. The tail is set high and carried vertically and can be well feathered. The eyes are almond-shaped, and the dog has an intelligent appearance to him.

Temperament:

The Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac is a sharp dog, making it easy to have him trained and socialized. He is such a friendly, social dog, getting on well with all family members and loving to get involved with the games of the children.

There is no aggression in this dog and when you provide him with the exercise that he craves, he is loyal, gentle and loving, getting on well with other dogs as well.

There are different sized Rat Terriers, but the mid-sized one stands roughly between 20 and 36cm in height and weighs between 3 and 4kg.

The single coat is short and smooth and comes in colors such as tan, grey, chocolate, black and in solid colors too such as white. They are mostly in tri-colors - white, tan, black. Ticking is also seen.

With his short coat he is seen as a low maintenance dog even though he is still a shedder, with heavier seasonal shedding.

The ears can sometimes be erect, otherwise they are half-erect, half floppy. The tail has always been traditionally docked, giving him a nice, distinctive look, but today the tail is often just left un-docked. It isn't unusual for a puppy to be born with a short or long tail.

Temperament:

Intelligent, wary, loyal, loving, playful but stubborn, your Rat Terrier is a little bit wary around strangers. Training and socialization can be good for this dog and help him t be obedient and well mannered in all situations. These dogs also want to please. He is an active dog too and makes a great playmate for children, getting on well with kids and other pets in the home.

The Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac is such a bouncy, amicable pet, full of energy. He may appear to be confident and full of the joys but he secretly can’t stand it when his human family don’t include him in everything. He can actually suffer with separation anxiety.

He is an athletic dog and will require lots of exercise – walks, hikes, ball games and running off his leash.

He is quiet but strong-willed and will respond well to a strong, firm, consistent, kind owner.

These dogs make the most awesome pets and you can either find one from a rescue group or find a puppy from a reputable breeder. Whatever you decide on, the Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac makes an extraordinary pet.

The Rat Terrier is such a clever, bright dog. These characteristics make him an excellent watchdog with strong jaws for his role of getting rid of rats on farms.

Even though he is a small dog, he isn’t particularly suited to life in the city on a small property as he has quite a shrill bark.

Because of him being small to medium in size, he is well suited to many homes, but you just have to watch out in the city if you live close to your neighbors as he is fairly noisy and active.

He would love a large property where he can just be himself. Provide him with the right home, and you’l have a friend for life.

There are always some illnesses that your dog might get but which isn’t likely with your pet as these are healthy dogs.

Bloat:

Dogs can die within a few hours if not treated with this ailment. Bloat is a condition where the stomach twists and fills with gas. The stomach is swollen and the gas can cause breathing problems because it puts pressure on the diaphragm. If you suspect that your dog has bloat, he should be rushed to the vet as soon as possible.

Rat Terriers are generally feisty, healthy dogs who, with good care, can live to the ripe old age of 16, 17 or 18 years of age.

Just like with many other dogs, he can develop some of the more common dog illnesses there are. If you're opting for a puppy, find a good, reputable breeder.

Allergies:

It can be tricky trying to decide what kind of allergies are causing such problems with your pet. A skin allergy can cause a lot of itchiness and pain for your canine friend and he will bite and lick on the affected spots and make the situation worse. You will need to get him to the vet for some kind of treatment, as such an ailment can drive him mad.

Patellar Luxation:

This is a common problem in dogs, with the kneecap or patella being dislocated. It can cause a lot of pain and can be crippling for your dog.

Prepare for your Pet:

Before you bring your pet home, dog-proof your house. It won’t be fair to leave tempting, chewy things lying around and expect your pet to not be interested in them. Also, keep dangerous chemicals out of reach of your pet.

Prepare for your pet beforehand and have feeding- and water bowls ready as well as a nice basket or some other sleeping equipment available for him.

Feeding:

If you’re bringing an adult rescue dog home, try to feed him the same kind of food he was already eating, as too many changes can upset him. When he settles down, you can move over to other food. Keeping his food consistent can avoid digestive problems.

If you opt to feed him one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure its the best quality as some of them are bad, filled with things such as colorants, preservatives and fillers. Try and give him some homemade food which you can add into the dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots all boiled slowly together will delight your pet. Chop it all up and your pet will look so forward to this. Dogs thrive on simple, consistent meals like this. Provide water at all times.

Exercise:

The amount of exercise any dog needs is dependent on age, size and energy levels. Because the Slovensky Hruborsty Stavac is an energetic breed, he will need a good dose of exercise. If you have a puppy, avoid strenuous exercise as this can damage the soft, developing bones and joints. As well as walks and ball games, mental stimulation is also important for this dog. Consider buying some puzzle toys or feeders for your pet.

Fleas:

Check for fleas and ticks while you brush him.

Immunization:

Keep up to date with all your dog’s immunizations and get your pet to the vet as soon as he is sick. There are some illnesses such as bloat which can claim your pet’s life in just a few hours if not attended to.

Diet:

Your Rat Terrier can easily reach 16, 17 or 18 years of age with good food. While you do get some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods, you want to add variety by including some nutritious home-made food too.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet. Chop it up and add it into the dry kibble a couple of times a week.No complications - just plain and simple - the way dogs love it.

Some raw meat added in from time to time will help his skin and coat remain healthy. Never leave him without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

The Rat Terrier is an active dog. He just loves to dig too, so if you live close to a beach, he will love running and digging in the sand. If this isn’t possible, he will be happy to be taken on walks with you and maybe for a run in the park.

He loves all ball games and running after a frisbee, and he’s so clever, maybe you can even teach him to fetch the frisbee for you.

Grooming:

The Rat Terrier is a low-maintenance dog and only requires having his coat brushed twice a week.

Check inside his mouth for bad teeth. You can even brush his teeth with special canine toothpaste and brush to remove tartar buildup.

Keep his nails trimmed too if he doesn’t wear them down naturally so as to prevent them hooking on things and ripping into the flesh.

Check inside your dog’s ears too. If you’re not experienced with trimming dog nails or cleaning inside dog’s ears, your vet or professional groomer will do it for you.

During these grooming sessions with your Rat Terrier, check for fleas and ticks as well as for any sores or new lumps. Also, his eyes should be clear and bright with no discharge or redness.