Prague Rat - description of the breed and character of the dog

If you want to have a miniature and rare dog of indoor and decorative breed, the Prague rat rat is exactly what you need. Czech chamois, ratlik, rat-rat - all these are the names of one dog, which gained its popularity due to the ability to catch rats. Small, fast, brisk and smart, dogs of this breed could cope even with the largest rats, which reached the size of the hunter himself. In the Middle Ages, rats were better than cats to cope with rodents, which not only spoiled food supplies, but also were carriers of dangerous diseases. Because dogs were able to save the population of Europe from the invasion of rats, they were universally loved. Today, rats are extremely rare, especially in our country. Around the world there are only about 2-3 thousand individuals. In this article, we will try to figure out what kind of dog it is, what features a rat rat has and how to properly maintain such pets.

History of breed origin

The birthplace of a small fast dog is Czech Republic, where the rat rat appeared in the Middle Ages. Historians have found surprising notes that state that rats were often used to check food for the presence or absence of poisons. Court passions in those days were in full swing, and there was no trust in anyone. To protect themselves, noble people constantly gave a piece of food to the dog first and only after that they ate themselves. Even the Czech king walked with a small rat in his hands, which significantly increased the popularity of this breed. The rats cost a lot of money, and getting a Czech ratlik puppy as a gift was the greatest sign of friendliness and appreciation.

In the 13th century, the Czech Republic faced a huge disaster - the plague, which spread very quickly by rats. There were no cats in the cities, because the cat was personified by an adherent of evil spirits. People were afraid of the Inquisition, therefore, in no case did not keep cats. Because of this, rats almost got the full right to manage. Only rats could cope with them - they quickly caught and strangled rodents. Subsequently, Czech ratlics guarded the wallets of their owners - the owner put a tiny dog ​​in his pocket, and the thief, instead of money, ran into the guard’s sharp teeth and the sonorous barking of a dog. The Prague rat rat practically did not change its appearance over more than 10 centuries. Today the breed is not recognized by the International Cynological Federation, however, most of the Cynological Associations of Europe recognized it.

What does a Prague rat look like?

Character features of the rat

This is a very agile, funny and active dog that feels great about the owner and is able to keep him company in any business. Krysarik likes to get out into the countryside and actively help on hunting, fishing or just participating in hikes. If you prefer such entertainment - a small dog will not be a problem in such sorties. At the same time, at home, the rat rat behaves calmly and well-mannered, patiently waiting for the owner to free himself and pay attention to the pet. Krysarik perfectly suits sedentary people - he will not bother the elderly. In fact, this is a great choice for a dog living in an apartment environment. It is believed that indoor-decorative dogs are not suitable for playing the role of a watchman, but this is not entirely true. Indeed, it is not possible for a rat-rat to cope with a person, but a small guard is able to raise barking and report the arrival of an uninvited guest. Ratlik is well-versed in the situation, able to analyze what is happening and quickly assesses the degree of danger. The Prague rat is one of the few breeds of indoor dogs that are very distrustful of strangers.

From early childhood, the rat rat densely enters the family and considers it to be a pack in which it has its rights and obligations. Krysarik gets along well with children, is able to play with them for hours on end. However, you must also explain to the child that the dog should be handled with care, without injuries and pranks that can hurt the animal. The dog gets along well with other pets if they are willing to acknowledge its supremacy. The only thing you need to be as careful as possible with rodents. Still, natural instincts can take their toll, and the dog will one day catch the longed prey.

Excessive playfulness of an animal can play a cruel joke with it. If you go for a walk, be sure to watch the dog, it can chase an insect, small animals or bird and get lost. The Krysarik does not understand that he is a representative of a small breed, and he does not take ambition and ambition. An ill-mannered representative of the breed often bulges on the street, it can bark even large and formidable dogs.

That is why from a young age the dog should be educated and socialized. Ambition and some pride of the animal does not allow him to immediately recognize the leader in man. With his behavior, the owner should let the baby know that he is in charge and needs to be obeyed. In no case can a dog be beaten - a rat rat can become embittered and do the opposite, refuse to execute commands. The owner’s voice may be much more effective. Dogs are very sensitive to intonation and perfectly sense the mood of the owner. This is how you can show dominance over a dog - punish her for disobedience and be sure to reward the dog with a delicious treat for properly executed commands.

How to care for a Prague rat?

This breed of dog does not require any special treatment, all within the standard care.

1. Wool. The breed is smooth-haired, so combing the hair every day is not required. The first molt in dogs usually occurs after a year, but in rats the process can begin in three months. A small bald puppy with bald spots is a miserable sight. But there is no need to be afraid, subsequently the dog will molt evenly and this will not affect its appearance in any way. During molting, the pet should be combed out 2-3 times a week so that the hair does not roll around the house. By the way, the condition of the coat is the main indicator of a dog’s health. If the coat is faded, dull, constantly falls out, if there are bald patches, then the dog lacks vitamins and minerals. Sometimes this may indicate some skin diseases.
2. Bathing. You should bathe the dog once a month, not more often, otherwise you can wash off the protective layer from the skin of the animal.When bathing, use special shampoos for shorthair dogs. After water procedures, do not leave your pet in a draft - the rat rat is easy to catch colds. After bathing in ponds, you need to rinse the animal's coat from possible algae and parasites.
3. The ears. The rats have rather large and wide ears, normally they are pink and clean. Once a week, you need to wipe the auricle with a cotton pad soaked in hydrogen peroxide. If red dots appear inside the ear or the dog rubs his ears on the ground - be sure to take the pet to the veterinarian, this may be a sign of otitis or skin disease. Sometimes black ticks remain in the ears, you need to constantly examine the pet for their absence.

The Prague rat is a great companion, pet and true friend for every member of the family. But remember that a dog is a child who should be raised and trained. With a competent approach, you can raise a smart pet that will help you out even in the most difficult situation.

Video: dog breed Prague rat