Prague rat: everything you need to know about a dog breed

Prague rats are better known as Czech ratliks. Most Russians are not even aware of the existence of such a breed. These funny babies are often confused with chihuahua, pincher and toy terrier.

The name of the breed, the Prague rat, is already talking about the purpose of these dogs. During the Middle Ages, they usually did cat work - they caught mice and barn rats, which not only destroyed food supplies in homes, but also were carriers of many dangerous diseases.

The homeland of these dogs is considered the Czech Republic. The true history of the appearance of the breed is shrouded in numerous legends, so researchers can only confirm with certainty one thing - Czech ratlics appeared in Europe around the Middle Ages.

Due to their physical characteristics, they easily made their way into any hard-to-reach crack and drove rats, which in size were quite a bit inferior to the hunters themselves.

For a long time, the ratliks remained exclusively Czech dogs., the fame of them went beyond the borders of the country, but from the VIII century about these brave and dexterous dogs that deal with hordes of rats, they learned in other countries of the Old World. At that time, additional duties were assigned to dogs - they tried food from the table of eminent citizens in order to check the dishes for the presence of poison in them.This was very relevant at that time, since in the Middle Ages, perhaps the most lazy was not involved in the study and compilation of poisons. It is known that King Wenceslas IV, famous for his love of drinking in the city’s drinking establishments, going on an excursion “into the people”, certainly took a small dog with him. During the feast, the animal freely moved around the set table and tasted all the dishes brought to the sovereign, thus confirming that the food was not poisoned and that the king could taste it without fear.

In the middle of the XVII century, the Czech Republic plunged into a serious economic crisis. In those years, the population of rat rats declined sharply, from comfortable, warm palaces they moved to the gloomy sheds of poor peasants, where they again began to earn food for catching rats. At the end of the XIX century, a group of enthusiasts tried to restore the population of Czech warriors, but World War I soon began, and after it the Second, and all their efforts were nullified.

Only in the 40s of the last century, thanks to the joint efforts of Rudolf Schiller and Jan Findus, was it possible to achieve official recognition of the breed and the preparation of the standard.

The Czech Ratlik is a real aristocrat, albeit a small one. At first glance, the breed is very similar to a toy terrier. Specialists in breeding pay special attention to the proportions of the body of the rattle, therefore, in order to identify the ideal representative of the rats, you will have to take a ruler. It is believed that normally the ratio between the growth of the dog and its long body should be approximately 1: 1.05. At the same time, the parameter indicating the height of the dog at the withers should be 2 times greater than the depth of its sternum.

In general, the dog has the following structural features.

• A pear shaped head. The animal is characterized by a sharply defined forehead and a pronounced occipital protuberance. The muzzle is quite long, with a pronounced general dryness.
• Jaws very strong, symmetrically set, in the form of a blunt wedge. Bite, like most dogs, is a scissor type.
• In Prague rats, the nose is well pigmented. As a rule, its color is in harmony with the basic tone of the coat. Eyes are rounded, slightly convex, the iris is painted in dark brown, almost black.
• Czech Rattles have wide-set ears. It is allowed to omit the tips at a slight angle relative to each other.
• The rat's neck is quite sophisticated, without suspensions and pronounced skin folds, it is distinguished by a truly noble bend.
• The case is very compact, square-shaped. The back is powerful, perfectly flat. The withers are mild, the lumbar is shortened. Sternum of medium width, oval. The line of croup is elongated, slightly sloping.
• The front legs of the animal are set quite wide and strictly parallel. The blades of the Czech rattle are adjacent, muscular, the metacarpus is even, located under a slight slope. The hind legs of animals also have a parallel set, they are distinguished by the reliability of the angles of joints and a clear muscular expression of contours. Paws in dogs of this breed are usually vaulted, rounded, fingers tightly pressed.
• The movements of the animal are springy and free.
• The tail of the Czech Ratlik is located at the level of the back, during the movement rises up and wraps.

Defective signs include:

• narrowed skull;
• curved back;
• nose without pigmentation;
• excessive tan;
• inverted elbows;
• slightly elongated body;
• a tail that is low or falling to the side;
• bald patches on the wool;
• not overgrown fontanel;
• yellow or blue iris of the eyes;
• drooping ears;
• a whitish spot on the chest with a diameter of more than 2 cm;
• the presence of light marks on the paws;
• growth at the withers of less than 18 cm and more than 24 cm.

The Czech Ratlik is often called a professional comforter. This is not surprising, because such cute dogs are sincerely attached to their owner and have the ability to create a comfortable psychological atmosphere in the house. These living "antidepressants" are extremely intelligent, therefore they do not allow an empty bark for no reason, they will never annoy their owners with empty "oratorios".

In relation to strangers, as well as to people who are not in the circle of close people, rats are not too located. At the sight of strangers, with all their appearance they show impregnability, stiffness and even suspicion.

These pied pipers develop quite friendly relations with cats - whatever one may say, but they are, in a sense, colleagues. But these dogs do not get along with dogs, they can find a common language only with the same small individuals who will not put pressure on them with their authority. It should be noted that physical superiority alone cannot confuse the Prague rat, therefore if this miniature dog feels a threat emanating, say, from a wolfhound, it will without hesitation go on the attack with the same activity as if it had decided to pounce on an ordinary barn rat.

By the way, about rodents: any decorative chinchillas, hamsters and guinea pigs will always be the number one goal for the ratlik, so keeping such animals under one roof is strictly not recommended, even if the rodent is in a cage.

At first, their miniature dimensions baffled the owners, who see them as funny whims, which can only be carried on hand. In practice, a full-fledged personality lives in the small body of the Czech Ratlik, requiring exceptional respect for his person.

If you want to have friendly relations with your dog, unlearn yourself and forbid children to encroach on the property of a pet (bed and toys). These animals understand the essence of the word "mine", so they do not encroach on other people's things, but their "treasures" are tremblingly guarded, entering into a serious confrontation with those who want to take them away.

Like any other breed, the Prague rat rat has both its advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages include compact dimensions - thanks to the dimensions, you can always go with your pet to the place where entry with animals is strictly forbidden. Such a dog can feel comfortable both in a private house and in a small apartment.

Krysariks do not require specialized care, they are easily trained, they quickly absorb information.

Unlike many other miniature dogs, the Czech Ratlik has a brave disposition. He will always defend the owner and his property in case he feels a threat. However, small growth is unlikely to allow them to drive away the "enemy".

One of the minuses of keeping a rat is that at the sight of any rodent in the house or on the street, hunting instincts awaken in them and the dog can no longer be stopped. Another disadvantage was the small number of breeds and the excessively high price of puppies of such a dog - The cost of a pet of this breed reaches 1300 euros.

Prague rats are often confused with the toy terrier.These animals have many similarities, but the difference is also pronounced. So, the rattlers are much more willing to enter into conflict - this is their main difference from the very cowardly toy terriers.

In the old days, rats were used to catch rats and mice, which had an unpleasant habit of settling in rural houses. It would seem - why breed a rat-dog breed if cats lived in every village? The answer is simple - in those years, cats were equated with evil spirits, so the responsibility to protect the house from uninvited guests had to be assigned to someone else.

Representatives of both breeds are extremely self-confident, but this often works against them, because the animals are not aware of their size and challenge even large dogs. The outcome of this confrontation is obvious.

Both dogs can be kept in apartments, they get along well with all households, do not require specialized care and are easily brought up and trained.

Externally, the dogs are similar, but professionals can easily distinguish one breed from another. The body of the rat-rat is more toned and folding, muscular type, which can not be said about Russian toe. The body shapes of the latter are a little more exotic, so the breed quite often takes part in exhibitions and competitions.

Representatives of Czech rat rats are believed to have strong immunity and rarely experience health problems. However, they are prone to certain diseases.

• Diseases of the gums and teeth. In rat rats, tartar often forms, which leads to a very unpleasant putrefactive odor from the mouth, and when treatment is started late, it causes inflammatory processes on the gums. In order to reduce the risk of such problems, you need to brush your pet’s teeth from time to time and take them to the vet in time to remove stony deposits.
• Fractures of the limbs. Animals of this breed have fragile bones and at the same time have a courageous temperament, therefore it is not uncommon for them to injure the metacarpal bones and forearms.
• Pathology of the musculoskeletal system. Rats often encounter a dislocation of the patella. According to studies, such pathologies are usually hereditary and congenital.
• Gastrointestinal diseases. Usually they become the result of overeating or an unbalanced diet, so it is extremely important for breeders to monitor what their pet eats and in what amounts.
• Cold. Prague rats do not have a warm skin with a thick undercoat, therefore they are unprotected in conditions of low temperatures and strong wind. In winter, they need clothes, otherwise the pet may get sick.

If you properly care for the ratlic, then you can prevent the appearance of most of the pathologies in it. Timely vaccination of dogs, prevention of helminthic invasions and periodic treatment of parasites living on the skin - fleas and ticks are of great importance.

In accordance with the Czech description of the standards established The following varieties of Prague rats.

• Shorthair. The wool of such rattlekas is rather dense and uniform along the entire length, while shortened, thick. On the head, the hairs are shorter, they do not grow as densely as on the rest of the body, but without bald patches.
• Longhair. The hairline of these dogs is equally dense and uniform in structure, on the muzzle it is short, long shaggy tows are noticeable on the sternum, ears, tail and back of the paws.

The color of animals can be:

• black and tan;
• red;
• Chocolate
• in red.

A cloak with a red tan and without any marks is allowed.

Any shade can be merlene - that is, with hairs that are not completely dyed. As for the tan, it must be in contrast, while at the same time as saturated.

Prague rats are quite peculiar dogs - they are absolutely not adapted for life on the street, however, their activity requires constant physical activity and daily walks.

Due to their small dimensions, the racers can live even in a small apartment. At the same time, it is very important to secure the room in advance - remove all wires, cables, unstable objects, as well as protect any gaps into which a curious pet can tilt.

Even before buying a Prague rat, you should prepare everything you need for its full-fledged life - loungers, latex toys, bowls, a drinker, waterproof diapers, a tray, as well as a leash and harness. Despite the fact that these small dogs prefer to relax on the master's couch, it is still better to provide for them a separate living space, which will be removed from the person’s recreation area.

Houses for decorative pets can be purchased at any pet store. It is best to give preference to structures with a stronger viewing platform on the roof, because these dogs do not like to jump onto small surfaces. It would be useful to throw a warm blanket into the bed - rats like to wrap themselves inside any freely lying cut of fabric, equipping it with a kind of burrow.

Immediately after the ratlik moves to a new place, you need to determine his toilet. There are two options for solving the problem - either a street or a diaper. If you choose the first option, you should take into account the fact that dogs of this breed have an accelerated metabolism, and long-suffering is uncharacteristic for them. You will have to walk your pet several times a day, otherwise he will be forced to do all his “business” in the apartment. This option is preferable for dogs living in a private house with the possibility of self-walking. If you don’t have your own site, and all family members are too busy and can’t arrange frequent walking of the animal, it’s better to immediately accustom it to a tray or absorbent diapers.

The coat of the Prague rat rat does not require any specialized care - these animals molt seasonally twice a year. The very first molt usually begins at the age of 3-4 months. During this period, animals need to be combed out every day, all the rest of the time 2 procedures per week are enough. Usually for this they use special brush-furminators, which allow not only to get rid of dead hair, but also massage the skin of the pet at the same time.

They bathe Czech Rattles as necessary. If you resort to flushing procedures too often, it is possible the deterioration of the structure of the coat and overdrying of the skin of the animal. In the warm season, you can allow your four-legged friends to splash in a natural pond or pool - dogs love water very much.

Ears usually don’t cause any trouble for dogs because they are well ventilated, although a weekly examination of the ear funnels for injuries, inflammations and excessive sulfur emissions will not be out of place. After the cleaning procedure, they can be treated with boric acid or veterinary lotion.Keep in mind that dogs of this breed are prone to otitis media, because if you notice that the animal began to shake its head often, it makes sense to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Eye care of the Czech ratlik is minimal. Every morning, you should clean the dried lumps in the corners of the eyelids with a cotton pad moistened with a decoction of chamomile. Every 3-4 weeks it is necessary to brush the rats teeth. This can be done with a brush or rubber fingertips. The claws of the pet require regular cutting and trimming of the tips with a saw, while you need to cut the very edges of the claw so as not to damage the blood vessel.

After each walk, you need to wash the paws and treat all the cracks on them with an antiseptic ointment. In the cold season, you need to additionally lubricate the pads with baby cream or warmed vegetable oil.

Despite the exterior decorativeness of the rattle, they cannot be called homebodies, therefore they require frequent and long walks. Walk with a dog of this breed twice a day for at least an hour. Animals walk on a leash. If you remove the strap while walking, this threatens the dog with big troubles, given their ability to respond to any rodent and their tendency to incite conflicts with relatives.

The owners of any dog ​​decide for themselves to feed the pet in one of two ways - either by "natural" or dry food. Rats are no exception, because the breeder has the right to decide for himself what the pet’s diet will be based on its capabilities and preferences. Dry feeds can significantly save the breeder’s cooking time, they are enriched with vitamins and minerals and have a balanced composition. Preference should be given to products not lower than the premium class - such mixtures are made from the highest quality products, they do not contain preservatives or flavor enhancers.

With natural feeding of animals, it is necessary to include such products in the diet.

• Meat - it makes up at least 70% of the diet. Usually used low-fat varieties - beef, veal, chicken, rabbit meat or horse meat.
• Fish - white low-fat varieties such as hake or cod are suitable for feeding animals. It is not allowed to include red fish as well as river fish in the menu.
• Vegetables - in dog mixers include carrots, pumpkins, zucchini or cauliflower in raw chopped form or steamed.
• Cereals - boiled rice and buckwheat are suitable for dogs. You should not include corn, barley and wheat in the menu - they are almost not absorbed by the body of the pet.

Before rats reach the age of 2 months, babies need to be fed every 3.5 hours, that is, about 6 times a day. After 8 weeks, the number of feedings is gradually reduced so that they eat 4 times a day at 4-6 months, and only 3 times at 6 months. By the year the animals are transferred to two meals a day with an interval of 8-10 hours.

Czech racers need to be socialized from a very early age and as soon as the pet appears in the house. The fact is that these dogs are still manipulators, and if you do not immediately set the boundaries for what they are allowed, then in the near future they will simply "sit on the neck" of their owners.

It is extremely important that up to 7 weeks the animal remains surrounded by its relatives - mother and brothers and sisters. Time spent with the family will allow the animals to further understand their place in the dog team and teach them how to build a style of behavior with other animals.

In all other respects, Prague rats are the most typical indoor dogs, who are ready to learn anything for praise and delicious treats. This trait needs to be actively used during pet training.

Firstly, by doing this you can harm the psyche of the pet, and secondly, simply beat off the pet’s further desire to work in tandem.

A common mistake of breeders is the inability to restrain their emotions when they see a cute, dog at home. Its touching appearance makes the owner "give slack", and cunning rat rats will never miss the opportunity to turn such a situation to their advantage. Keep in mind that classes should be treated positively, but try not to pamper your pet at the same time, otherwise later you will only have to clutch your head from the destruction he has done and minor dirty tricks.

Usually these dogs take the most general training course, as well as training in sports disciplines. Best of all, they show themselves in catch-up.

Reviews and characteristics of the owners of Prague rats are the most positive. According to them, these are kind and loyal dogs, which, if necessary, can defend their master, and also help get rid of uninvited rodents in the house. However, the small number of breeds and the high cost leads to the fact that unscrupulous sellers are constantly appearing on the market who are trying to pass off other breeds of animals as rats.

Representatives of this breed are quite expensive, but such an acquisition can be considered a profitable investment - the cost of these dogs of the elite class reaches 200 thousand rubles.

The story of the breed in the next video.