Ratese

Although the Ratese hybrid has been around for about 20 years, they still do not have much of a verifiable history. The backgrounds of the parent dogs, the Maltese and the Rat Terrier, are usually used for a history. The Maltese got its name from Malta, where it originated sometime before 500 B.C. from the Spitz dog and the Tibetan Terrier. There are records of the breed found by archaeologists in Ancient Roman and Greek literature stating Aristotle was the first to have one of these dogs, which was mentioned in a written document in 350 B.C. The breed was considered to have healing powers of some kind and was used as a comforter for the sick in ancient Egypt and then later in Europe. However, the Maltese has been known by many different names such as the Maltese Lion Dog, Bichon, Spaniel Gentle, Comforter, Roman Ladies Dog, Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta, and the Melitae Dog. The breed eventually made its way to the United States and was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1888, where it is considered the 33rd most popular breed of dog. The Rat Terrier is an American made dog that has been around since the 1800s when American farmers bred small terriers with Beagles, Whippets, and Greyhounds to get a small ratting dog. The breed is fast and talented as a rodent hunter both above and below ground and quickly became popular as a companion pet and watchdog as well due to their courage and loyalty. Theodore Roosevelt had several Rat Terriers during his term at the White House and they were nicknamed “Teddy’s Terriers.” It took a while before they got noticed in America and they were not recognized by the American Kennel Club until 2013.