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The Full Story
As enthusiasts deeply entrenched in the realms of dog shows and dog sports, our passion extends to the engaging world of "barn hunt." This canine-centric scent detection game requires dogs to locate a securely housed rat within a stipulated timeframe. However, our journey into this sport unveiled a concern – the evident stress and fear experienced by some rats involved in the activity.
Recognizing the profound impact that proper breeding can have on the temperament, health, and conformation of any animal, it was only natural for us to extend this ethos to rats. Subsequent discussions with various breeders underscored a critical revelation: the temperament of rats is inherently genetic. The crux of the issue lay in the utilization of rats with suboptimal breeding, leading to compromised temperaments.
Motivated to address this disparity, our commitment to breeding transcends mere physical attributes. Our endeavor is centered on cultivating bombproof, stable, and healthy rats. These rats not only thrive within the confines of the spacious tubes integral to barn hunt activities but also flourish in the dynamic environments of busy and chaotic households. Through meticulous selective breeding, our rats exhibit a remarkable level of confidence, fearlessness, and adaptability.
A testament to their robust temperament is witnessed in their interaction with our dogs. In stark contrast to rats from less discerning breeding practices, ours confidently approach our dogs, impervious to their loud barks. Their composure is such that, if given the chance, they would nonchalantly venture into our dog's proximity. It is this unique blend of fearlessness and resilience that defines the ethos of our breeding program.
While our primary focus lies in garnering interest within barn hunt homes, we acknowledge that not every rat is destined for this specialized pursuit. Those rats not chosen for barn hunt activities find equally fulfilling lives in carefully selected pet homes where their adaptable nature shines.
In essence, our dual commitment to the excellence of the barn hunt sport and the well-being of our rats aligns seamlessly, fostering a community of content, adaptable, and thriving animals in diverse environments.
Why Us?
Have you ever acquired a new pet and found yourself bombarded with questions about their care, behavior, or health? Navigating the plethora of information online can be perplexing, often leaving you with conflicting advice. We're here to alleviate that confusion, serving as your go-to resource for everything RAT! Building relationships with our buyers brings us immense joy – from heartfelt messages and photo updates to the myriad of questions that may arise. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like; we're never weary of providing guidance.
Our commitment extends beyond mere words. We offer exceptional quality pet rats, each accompanied by a lifetime temperament guarantee, a genetic health guarantee, and more. I am unequivocally confident in my breeding program and wholeheartedly stand behind it. In the unfortunate event that a rat with health or temperament issues, our worst nightmare, is sold, we take full responsibility. From the day they enter the world to the day they leave, we assume unwavering responsibility for their well-being.
Our Rattery is devoted to providing the public with unique and exceptional pets. When you welcome rats from us into your home, you are taking a piece of our hearts with you. Rest assured, we would never allow our animals to end up in a shelter or fall into the wrong hands. Though our waitlists may be extensive, they serve a crucial purpose – ensuring we place our rats in homes committed to their long-term well-being. We are selective in this process, as impulsive buyers are not aligned with our vision of providing only the best homes for our cherished rats.
Lastly, our breeding philosophy prioritizes health and temperament over superficial considerations like color. While aesthetically pleasing colors are appreciated, we firmly believe that having a stable, sweet, and friendly companion far outweighs superficial markings. This commitment is evident in our unwavering promise to you – pricing will never be influenced by colors. Your satisfaction, the well-being of our rats, and their seamless integration into loving homes are the cornerstones of our passionate and responsible breeding efforts.
Our Standards
We have strict standards we follow to produce only the best rats. Temperament Standard: I want a rat that is not scared of dogs, we want them to run up to the front of the cage when a dog approaches, confidence in rats is crucial in barnhunt AND in pet homes. When I pick up my rats I want them to be easy to handle, not squirmy, and essentially be like a ragdoll cat. I want people to be able to handle the animal stress-free. My bucks are more prone to sit in your lap, and my girls are very easy to hold but they are more active and want to explore things with you! I expect my males and females to be put with babies or each other without a lengthy introduction and for them to be completely fine without any fights. My females never, ever bite or attack me (maternal aggression) when I touch babies in the nest, my female rats must be good mothers and attentive to their young. These are all things that can be bred for and that I breed for so my program can run smoothly, and you, getting sweet rats. We are always happy to provide proof of temperament, send us a message and we are happy to send you as many videos as you'd like. I feel as if this goes without saying but, our rats must never bite us either. Health Standard: Rats are prone to health issues, this is a simple fact. However, using selective breeding can produce rats with more mycoplasma-resistant immune systems. Unfortunately, things like tumors or cancers are primarily environmental and can be extremely difficult to breed out, even lines with long pedigrees of being tumor free can sometimes still have them pop up. The biggest thing I breed for is a strong immune system, so the rats do not end up with chronic respiratory problems for their entire life. Rats that have URIs are never bred to help ensure this. Conformation Standard: Last is conformation standard. I select female rats with wider hips to ensure an easier birth so babies can pass through the canal without complications. Next, I select short and wide muzzles, this helps with limiting URIs and leads to healthier rats from what I have found.