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Let's Stop The Madness

Please take the time to read this page entirely. Or print it out and read it later.  For the protection and security of our Rats Terriers, it is essential that you are aware of the following information.
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Over the years we have witnessed this breed being torn between unscrupulous registries, self interest organizations, and breeders who will take the money and run. It is so essential that we beat off the predators. Rats are such a wonderful dog and so many really just seem to be missing the point. We know through our numerous conversations with people that there are a lot of good people, breeders and owners out there. As a matter of fact it is the majority who are good.
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The NRTA in its exhausting look at the many registries that exist have found most of these registries unacceptable in the promotion of the Rat Terrier Breed. The NRTA feels that we can better serve our breed through its Own Self Promotion and by having members that truly care about the Rat Terrier. Ultimately to each his own though.
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In an effort to bring uniformity to the mad house situation that exists in the various Rat Terrier registries and in the breed itself, the NRTA will continue to offer pedigrees and registration through the NRTR.  The NRTA Official standards of the Rat Terrier are already recognized by a very high percentage of all Rat Terrier owners. We feel that the pedigrees are necessary to maintain high standards as an Association because pedigrees show a history of the dog and this gives new owners direction and gives breeders or new breeders assistance in their breeding program. It also keeps our original philosophy of keeping the breed in its pure form. We don't want to change them, we want to evolve with them.
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 The standards for the Rat Terrier are as close to being all-inclusive, true of and true to the breed as they could ever be. They represent what the breed is and should remain. Our breed  standards will shine with quality representation of the Rat, all of them. The NRTA is the first Rat Terrier Breed Association to have created the Breed Standards in 1996. This includes both body types and 3 sizes, Tot/Toy, Mini, Standard and a fourth size being the Decker Strain. The two Body Styles called Class A (square) and Class B (shorter leg).
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For those that are aware of what surrounds them will clearly see the NRTA's reasoning. The Rats are spread out through many registries making it difficult at times to breed your dog with a dog that has the same registry. This means someone has to re-register their dog in order to get the litter registered. The history of our dogs is also helter skelter all over the place and everyone is searching to find it. History has been lost in various ways and a proper way to start again is by collecting all the information centrally. More and more registries have also taken on the breed in the last 15 years. Makes is doubly hard and confusing not to mention how much it costs to register with all of them.
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The NRTA  will register your dog with the National Rat Terrier Registry and list you as a breeder if applicable. Please go to Registration Instructions. This will help us complete your dogs' pedigree and obtain all the necessary records for your Rats. Certification by your breeds club will only make the breed stronger.
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The NRTA is willing to keep on with this venture to save the Rat Terrier from an ill fate. For those that care about the breed but don't particularly care about breeding, it is still important to register your dog. It helps the people who do need the security and protection of their Rats to pass on long into the future uncorrupted.
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The NRTA will continue in their original direction and maintain autonomy and strength. We will not fall into the politics like so many other organizations and clubs have done. The ONLY time that we will be forced to play the political role is when we need to protect our Rats from false information. We will not stand for rumors and trickery. To do so would be a great injustice, especially to our dogs. The greatest justice that we can do to the Rat Terrier is to be true to the Rat Terrier. We hope that those people who own Rat Terrier's and enjoy the breed will join us.
Let's do the right thing.
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