FAQs

We breed toy (3-10 pounds) and miniature (11 – 17 pounds) and standard (18 to 28 pounds) sizes. We will give you our best estimate, but adult size of the dog is NOT GUARANTEED. We breed both the traditional, brindle and merle coat patterns in all colors ( lemon, apricot, black, blue, chocolate, pearl, and sable in tri or bi).

Since we only breed for the demand our number of litters a year can vary, and Toy/Mini Rat Terrier litters tend to be small (2 to 5 puppies) (standards 6-8 puppies) so puppy availability is always limited depending on waitlist.

We will keep a list of names of those individuals who have expressed interest in purchasing a puppy. There is no deposit required to get on the list, and no obligation to buy, but if you are a serious buyer, we highly recommend that you complete our application to place your name on the list. As the breeder, we reserve the right to first pick of all litters, should we choose to keep a puppy to add to our breeding program.

FILL OUT OUR PUPPY WAITLIST INTEREST FORM

Approximately one week prior to the due date of a litter, those with their names on the list will be sent a reminder by e-mail and/or Facebook message. When the litter is born, a notice (with photos) will be posted on our website and also on our Facebook page. Individual notices will follow immediately, via e-mail and/or Facebook message, all at the same time to all on the list. (Puppies will also be available for public sale through our website, Facebook page, and possibly other advertising sites.) We will then accept deposits ($200, non-refundable) on a first come, first served basis. We do not hold or reserve a puppy without a deposit. Our females and our merles are in the highest demand and generally sell first.

Our price starts at $1200 and may increase depending on toy size, coat color, and unique markings for any given pup.  The price range of our puppies is appropriate for a quality, registered Rat Terrier puppy from health tested parents and quite affordable compared to prices of other pure breed puppies. When you are buying a purebred puppy, you get what you pay for. The money you “save” when buying a cheap puppy will likely be spent at your veterinarian later!

DEPOSITS:

If you are on our waitlist and have been notified puppies are available, they can be reserved with a $200 non-refundable deposit & a signed Reserve Deposit Agreement by both Buyer & Seller. Pups are reserved on a first come, first served basis.  We do not hold or reserve a puppy without a deposit.

Deposits are accepted by cash, check (we allow 5 business days to receive a mailed check; if no check is received, the puppy will be made available again) 3 days with electronic payment with Venmo, Cash App & PayPal. There is a 3% service charge added to all PayPal payments, as that is what PayPal charges us to receive funds. Personal checks are accepted until puppy is 4 weeks old; after that it must be a cashier’s check from your bank (we will call your bank to verify the authenticity of the check) or a Money Order.

The deposit will be put towards the purchase price and will reserve your puppy until it is ready to be picked up or shipped. In the rare case that your chosen puppy becomes unavailable due to illness or death, you will have the option to choose another available puppy from a current or future litter OR receive a full refund of your deposit. 

CANCELLATIONS:

If you choose to back out of the sale, you will forfeit your deposit and you will not be considered for a future puppy purchase.

We also reserve the right to cancel the sale/reservation at any time while the puppy is in our possession.  If we cancel the sale/reservation, we will refund all payments including the deposit.

FINAL PAYMENT

Final payment at in-person pickup is CASH ONLY (no checks).  Total payment (balance of payment on puppy + all shipping expenses) for puppies being shipped must be made by cashier’s check (which will be verified with your bank) or a USPS Money Order at least 1 week prior to the flight. For shipped puppies ONLY and at breeder’s discretion, Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal may also be accepted for the final payment (no e-checks and 3% service charge applies). All puppies must be paid for, in full, before leaving Breeders home. We do not offer a delayed payment plan.

The PRA-PRCD test is a DNA-based test that helps you avoid one form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). PRA refers to a group of diseases that cause the retina of the eye to degenerate slowly over time. The result is declining vision and eventual blindness. Progressive rod-cone degeneration, also known as PRCD is a type of PRA known in several breeds.

Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) is a disorder that is characterized by weakened zonular fibers which eventually lead to the luxation of the lens in the eye. This is very painful for the dog and depending on where the lens moves to, can leave the dog permanently blind. Often, this event will occur around 3-6 years of age.

Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a devastating degenerative disease of the spinal cord that can progress rapidly and cause weakness in the hind limbs and eventually paraplegia among genotypically-affected dogs.

Chondrodystrophy with Intervertebral Disc Disease (CDDY-IVDD) is a genetic condition in dogs that affects bone growth and can lead to intervertebral disc disease. Dogs with CDDY typically have shorter legs, and a higher risk of premature degeneration and herniation of the intervertebral discs. The condition is caused by a specific mutation in the FGF4 gene.

We also test all of our parent dogs for Canine Chondrodysplasia (CDPA) so we can determine if they carry one or two copies of the shorten leg gene for end results A OR B body types in your puppy. CDPA is characterized by a normal-sized body but noticeably shorter legs, a trait often seen in our related breed TRT (Teddy Roosevelt Terriers) CDPA is a dominant trait, meaning a dog can carry one or two copies of the mutated gene to exhibit shortened leg phenotype.

All CaliRat Terrier puppies are free of the gene that causes the eye disease PLL and PRA-PRCD, CDDY-IVDD as well as DM.  We have DNA test results of our parent dogs that are listed on the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation For Animals) or GenSol Diagnostics public website. (We highly recommend that you do NOT buy a puppy from a breeder that cannot or will not provide proof of NORMAL/CLEAR results from PLL , PRA-PRCD, DM, or CDDY-IVDD testing!)

HOME PICKUP
Whenever possible, we prefer that you pick up your puppy at our home (by appointment) so that you have the opportunity to view where your puppy was born & raised and meet the parents and other relatives. We do not allow puppies to go home before 8 weeks of age. The balance on the puppy is to be paid in cash when the puppy is picked up.

GROUND SHIPPING AVAILABLE FROM:
Our reliable door to door, Texas Pet Transport, Liz. She offers free quotes for your needed transport.

FLY-IN PICKUP
If you would like to fly into the Texarkana/Shreveport/Dallas airport and take your puppy home in the cabin (this can often be accomplished in one day), we will meet you at the airport with your puppy. The puppy must be at least 8 weeks old to fly (10 weeks for Delta Airlines). You will also need a Health Certificate provided from seller’s vet at your expense. You must provide an airline approved carrier for the puppy that fits under the seat in front of you. You are responsible for your travel arrangements & expenses (including a fee paid to the airline for having an in-cabin pet, which averages $125) and also for the cost of the puppy’s health certificate, which is $50-$75. The balance on the puppy is to be paid in cash when we meet you.

AIR SHIPPING

We do have 2 reliable Flight Nannies/Mannie for your convivence. Both highly recommended & used for most of our transports, Our own Melissa Dillon based in California and Darryl (owner & transporter) of White Glove Pet Transport based in Texas. Both are very easy to work with for your choices of airport date providing you with free quotes. Should you booked at that time a NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT is required to hold flight.

If pick-up nor fly-in pickup is feasible, air cargo shipping is available FROM CALIFORNIA ONLY (within the USA only, except Hawaii) from Sacramento International Airport, Oakland or San Francisco International Airports. (We do use a ground shipper available some states weather permitting.) We will attempt to get the puppy as close to your home airport as we can, but airlines do not accept live animal cargo to some areas. Our preferred airlines is Alaska Airlines CAN BE USED FROM both locations however our TEXAS LOCATION CAN ONLY OFFER SEATTLE OR DENVER AS THE DESTINATION. Due to their climate regulations during summer/winter months restrictions may apply. Airlines temperature restrictions (generally not fewer than 45 degrees nor over 85 degrees at any point in the trip) will apply.

In accordance with airline regulations, puppies cannot be shipped before 8 to 10 weeks of age, and if the puppy is very small, we may delay shipping until we (and our veterinarian) feel the puppy is ready to ship. The cost of shipping varies depending on size of crate and distance, and covers our time to make the shipping arrangements, the airline cargo charge, a new shipping crate, required veterinarian examination/health certificate, and ground transportation of the puppy to airport. Contact us for current prices.

We do ship cargo outside the USA, as the transit time is too long for a Toy/Mini/Standard size puppy. If you are not a USA resident, you must make arrangements to either have us ship your puppy to a USA airport for pickup OR do a fly-in to pick up your puppy. Any additional expenses, veterinary requirements, and documentation with regard to exportation of a puppy outside the USA are the responsibility of the buyer.

Each puppy we sell will be sent home accompanied by the following important documentation and items:

• Copies of sire’s and dam’s registration certificates.
• Copies of sire’s and dam’s OFA PLL/PRA-PRCD/DM/CDDY-IVDD/CDPA testing certificates
• Purchase agreement SPAY/NEUTER CONTRACT/PUP health guarantees.
• Worming/Vaccination Health Records your pups have received by breeder with future dates of needed vaccinations for you and your vet.
• Microchip provided from ISENVO recommended to be given at spay/neuter by your vet; register @WWW.ISENVO.COM
• Several training/raising tools to help provide you to help with the transition of your new addition. Many will be emailed to you before pick up for your reviewing.
• We also offer FREE 30 days pet insurance from Trupanion Pet Insurance
• A small bag of feed your pup has been eating with a coupon for your first bag purchase from Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Chicken & Rice.
• Blanket with his first home scent, toys, harness, treats, & a CaliRats logo Tshirt for each family.

When we ship a puppy cargo, we will only attach the purchase agreement/health guarantee and health record documents to the shipping crate. All other documents will be mailed so that there is no risk of them being lost by the airline.

Original puppy registration application is mailed once proof of neuter/spay has been provided to your CaliRats breeder.

We provide you with weekly pictures and updates until you pick up your puppy. Once you pick a name, we will start using it with your pup so he/she can become accustomed to it with a good recall. We work on socializing your puppy, as well as potty pad/litter training and crate training.  We raise our pups in a clean home, free of pests, with high quality food and lots of love.  All pups have dew claws removed and tails docked (unless otherwise requested by buyer on application). Puppies will be up to date age appropriate on vaccines and worming.

Note:  We reserve the right to cancel the sale/reservation at any time while the puppy is in our possession.  If we cancel the sale/reservation, we will refund all payments including the deposit.

All litters will be registered with UKCI (Universal Kennel Club International). At breeder’s discretion, litters may also be registered with one or more of the following:

• AKC (American Kennel Club)

There will be a $25 fee for each additional registry.

Puppies may be nicknamed by us for identification purposes only while they are here.  New owners get to choose any call & registered names they wish.  However, we request that all registered names begin with “CaliRats” to identify the puppy as coming from our breeding program.

The prices listed are for pet/companion puppies with limited registration. Breeding rights MAY be available, to the right situation, at additional cost. If you are interested in purchasing breeding stock, please advise us, as there are certain criteria that must be met in order for us to approve a puppy as a breeding prospect. You must have an established breeding program and health test same as we do. We will also want to discuss with you, at length, your plans for using our bloodlines in your breeding program. We’ve invested a large amount of time and money into developing our bloodlines and we are very selective about who we will allow to have these bloodlines for breeding.

You will sign a contract for spay/neuter of pet/companion puppies; the decision to spay/neuter, and the timing of the surgery, is a choice to be made by the puppy’s owner and their veterinarian however we will recommend healthy choices for longevity of your puppy. Current research has shown that delaying spay/neuter (including allowing a female to have her first heat cycle) until the puppy is at least a year old may have important long term health benefits. However, every situation is different, and owning an intact dog does bring with it the responsibility of proper management to prevent unplanned breeding.

We are family bound together in loving our Rat Terriers.  You will be part of our family when you adopt a CaliRats pup.  We sponsor an annual reunion where our families (two-legged and four-legged) meet and greet their relatives and share family fun for all.  You will be invited to join our facebook group so you can enjoy seeing and sharing the fun of owning a CaliRats dog and be part of planning the next reunion.

When you choose to purchase a young puppy and not a mature adult dog, it is impossible to guarantee the exact characteristics of the puppy at maturity. Therefore, no guarantee is made as to future temperament, physical conformation (including, but not limited to: size, bite, ear carriage, and descent of testicles on male puppies), or suitability for breeding.