Decker Hunting Terrier Dog Breed

Below are details and specs for the Decker Hunting Terrier dog breed.

Decker Hunting Terriers, although similar in appearance to Rat Terriers, are larger and often stand 15-20 inches and weigh 20-40 pounds. Females are slightly smaller and individuals of this breed are sometimes found outside these parameters. Coat preference trends towards black, apricot, tan (with/out sabling), and black and tan; these colors can manifest in solid, bi, and tri-colored coats.

Besides its versatile hunting skills in the areas of birds, fowl, varmint and small game, Deckers are known for having a mild disposition. These dogs will be your 24/7 companion, whether you're a hunter or couch potato! They will be loving playmates for kids and will confidently serve as household watch. Members of this breed make fine indoor dogs that are calm and quiet, and this disposition ensure they are often used for therapy work. They generally get along well with other dogs but do retain a strong prey drive towards smaller animals.

Deckers should be trained early, as they are very teachable and eager to please, but also can be stubborn. Their short coats require little more than standard grooming: brush weekly to remove dead hairs as well as check the teeth and ears for cleaning, bathe and trim the nails when necessary. Ideally, these dogs will be partners for hunters or, at least, have a large or fenced property to explore and patrol. They will need daily outdoor exercise if kept indoors.

Milton Decker acquired Henry, the founding male of the breed, while visiting the Lindseth farm in Monroe Oregon. Over the years, Henry honed his treeing, bird and fowl, gun, and varmint hunting skills to make a seamless hunting companion that stayed in Decker's close proximity and worked as a true partner. Henry himself came from a Fox Terrier mother and mixed Terrier father and Henry, himself, was bred from many outstanding Rat Terriers from all over the country! By the mid 80's the Decker Line of Rat Terrier was established and even the National Rat Terrier Association recognizes and promotes the Decker Line since 1995.