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 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!

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