At 3bear Rat Terriers, our #1 priority is the whole package
"THB"
"Temperament, Health and Beauty"
First is outstanding temperaments.
We carefully assess the parents for their personalities and we home raise the puppies with lots of early socialization. We also temperament test the puppies at 7 weeks old, and then match each particular puppy's natural disposition with the specific requirements of each new family.
We next strive for health.
We want your Rat Terrier to be a part of your family for as long as possible. We health test at 3bear for hips, Cardiac, Legg Calve Perthes and Patella luxation. While this doesn't Guarantee your puppy will not have any of these issues, we try out best to avoid such a catastrophe.
Finally, we breed for beauty/conformation. With each generation, we attempt to come as close to our interpretation of the written UKC
standard for the rat terrier as we can.
We take reservations for puppies throughout the year and encourage all new owners to come and help socialize the babies shortly after their birth.
Another important note: our rat terriers are PETS first and foremost. But we do have and use out indoor "kennel runs" during the summer months and for heat cycles or when we need to be away longer periods then crate
time will allow. But all of our rat terriers are house dogs when not in heat or when we are home. We spend a great deal of time training and loving our dogs.
My History -
I have Trained, showed and raised horses since 1979
Trained, showed and raised dogs since 1996
I grew up on a small farm in Marshfield, VT.
We raised pigs, chickens, turkeys, cows, and sheep. We kept a few horses for recreation.
I have 4 siblings who are now scattered from Michigan to Maine. My parents divorced when I was very young. The Family farm was sold off, and we built and moved into a energy efficient "solar" Home in one of the remaining farm fields. I spent most of my early life drinking in the art of life on those acres with my siblings and mom.
I joined 4-H and started Windy Hill Riders 4-H group with several
others, when I was 7. Our First show pony soon came into our lives when I was 8. At the ripe age of 12, I started showing the Hunter/Jumper circuit. Tragically when I was 14, I had a severe accident at a horse show when my horse reared up and
flipped over top of me. I had no heartbeat. A seizure started my heart. Due to the injuries incurred from the horse crushing my head, I now live with epilepsy.
I purchased my first Quarterhorse the year of the accident. He was a fantastic boy that brought my trust back and my
passion with horses continuid. I competed in the Hunter Jumper circuit until I went to college. I entered Colby Sawyer College in 1989. School was a huge challenge to me due to my Memory loss issues, a side effect of my epilepsy. I waffled and wobbled thru college, Trying to find myself. While I knew my talents resided with animals, I struggled to find my way to combine my passion with making a living. After 3 years of still wobbling thru school with no set direction, I left college with my associates degree in liberal arts. I hoped to
find what I wanted to do with my life.. Its clear that I had a affinity with animals and the arts. But where would that lead me? I dabbled in senior portraits and traveling to horse shows to photograph. I enjoyed capturing the serene beauty of the animals, all animals from at work to play. In 1992, I purchased a 2 yr old gelding, to show western pleasure. This started my new endeavor into the American Quarterhorse world. I competed around the new England area and mid west. While my boyfriend of many years built a home, I decided I needed a small dog to bring with me on the road to the horse shows. I started my research for a small dog. I was looking for a small, athletic dog that could adapt to a variety of living conditions. Originally thinking I wanted a Jack Russell Terrier, started my research of the breed.
I "discovered" the rat terrier breed while at the American QuarterHorse Congress show in Ohio. I soon decided that this finally was the breed I was seeking for my best-friend and traveling companion! Their sense of humor, fun-loving antics, diverse temperament and easy maintenance made them the ideal breed for me.
A year later, I purchased Mylo from a
Good Ol' Farmer in Ohio at the Quarterhorse Congress. Mylo truly is the best ambassador of the breed. He is witty, smart, able to hunt at the drop of a hat but gentle enough for the loving hands of a child.
Soon After I purchased my first Rat Terrier, another pair soon followed, and another and another!
Rat Terriers have been my constant companions throughout my young adult life and now into my mid life. They are highly intelligent and learn quickly. While they do make great companions they are not a "companion" breed like a chi. Rat terriers are Terriers first. These dogs are bred to hunt and retain that hunting abilities to this day.
If you do not have the time to spend with a tenacious little dog, I beg you don't get a rat terrier.
These are not a dog that you can toss and the back yard on a chain.. they need to be with their persons! These dogs become so in tune to people they serve, that they often can tell when something is wrong healthwise with their person long before their person does! They have in many cases been able to pick up on seizures before they happen and even Cancer before its diagnosed!
Although its sometimes hard to remember, Ratties are not just a pretty lap adornment, Please always keep in mind these dogs are Still very much TERRIERS.
(Definition of a Terrier=The terrier is a group of dog breeds initially bred for hunting and killing vermin. While usually small, these dogs are brave and tough with a lively, energetic, and almost hyperactive personality.)
If you are looking for strictly a lap buddy go get a breed that is strictly bred to be a companion lap buddy, such as a Chi. These dogs need their exercise and their most importantly brain stimulated daily to be a gentle sweet non-destructive companions in your home. A healthy Rat Terrier is a mischievous and good-humored animal, and is not above testing the limits of its environment and owner just for sport. They can be often can be aloof with strangers but form strong bonds with their owners. They are a breed that needs to be socialized heavily and exposed early on to all walks of life. If not supervised or trained properly, Rat Terriers become bored and destructive when left alone. Rat terrier are also expert climbers, and have been known to scale chain-link fences as much as eight feet high. They also can easily clear a 4 ft fence from a standstill leap. They also have a very strong sense of territory, and they consider their home plus the whole area where they are regularly walked their territory. Because of this, they can be very hostile towards other dogs in those areas. Females are more likely to tend to do this over males. Quick and fast on their feet, Rat Terriers love to run, chase and hunt their prey. They often will bag a squirrel, chipmunk, bird, mouse or Rat, There are
few creatures a Rat Terrier is likely to encounter (including its owner!) that it does not believe it can outwit. This, combined with the
breed's typically fearless approach to the hunting world, makes it a good idea not to allow a Rat Terrier to run free in an unconfined area or where it may get into trouble.
My Prior breeding, training and showing knowledge of horses has served
me well, In showing my rat terriers. My early farm upbringing from
raising and breeding chickens, cows, horses, turkeys and sheep also has
also been very resourceful in my goals of the breeding the best Ratties
possible. Coupled with the many mentors I have/had helps me make
informed decisions in my breeding program.
Breeding and Showing - Why is This Important?
Exhibiting my Rat Terriers at a dog show is an essential aspect of my
breeding program. Success in the show ring means that a 3bear Rat
Terriers is constructed well, and possesses the stable temperament
required for this event.
If you are looking for a pet Rat terrier, these same characteristics
should be important to you: a well-constructed Rat Terrier will be more
fit for any events you like to do (walking, hiking, running), and the
temperament should be such that you enjoy having your Rat Terrier
companion along with you!
Terrier Racing
Not only do we have many UKC show champions, but 3bear Farm Rat Terriers love to run as well! Several of our Rat Terriers have Terrier race points and titles!
Terrier racing events are fun for the Ratties since the dogs chase a
simulated prey tail in a long stretch with or without obstacles at the
end having to make it thru a "hole" to finish the course.
Rat Terriers are quick and are hunters, while I do let mine off leash
often, Keep in mind they can be gone in a flash. I never trust them off leash unless they are in a secure area away from traffic or large
animals that may seek them for prey. And never off lead without supervision.
Your Next Step
If you are interested in adding a 3bearfarm Rat Terrier to your family,
Please email us for an application.
vtqtrhoss@aol.com
The information you provide will help us match the
right Rat Terrier with your needs.
If you are not looking for a puppy but would prefer a young adult or
older Rat Terrier, we occasionally have a retired show dog available for placement in the right pet home. Visit our Available Adult page or email us.
It would also be wonderful if you could schedule a time to come and
visit all of us at 3bear Farm. The dogs love meeting new people and we can all get to know each other.
If you have any questions, please call or email us! We love to talk
about Rat Terrier!
Last Tidbit: Please don't buy a Rat Terrier from a pet store. Pet store puppies are brokered from puppy Mills. Puppy Mills are places that dogs are bred repeatedly like a assembly line product with no care to their well being. Meeting only UDSA requirements. No care is given to them on
a personal basis as a living breathing animal. While they may appear healthy physically they come from untested parents and are not raised in a loving environments, socialization is slight to nothing, socialization is vital in having a mentally healthy happy puppy. You also won't have contact with the breeder if you have questions, nor will you have any
information about the health and temperament of the puppy or its
parents.
Also remember this is a 12-18 year commitment for your family. 
