Historically Ratters
English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan) puppiesIn the mid to late 1800's, ratting or vermin killing was important to maintain human hygiene. As the show dog scene developed, individual breeds were recorded in the first English Stud Books. Over the next century or so, the traditional role of ratting terriers diminished because of the use of more sophisticated means of vermin destruction. However, in this section we shall consider six separate Toy breeds which were originally developed as specialized killers of vermin, particularly rats and mice.