Many reasons for doing this, the major one, there are things about these dogs that I don't want to see forgotten.
First let me say that this site is 'my baby' and does not necessarily reflect the thoughts, beliefs or practices of others in these breeds. I have, to the best of my knowledge, given the facts where known, but a great degree of the text herein is personal opinion as well, based on years of experience with dogs and the 'dog show world'. Because of this experience, and because I know how confusing some aspects can be to a 'newcomer' I decided to see first if I couldn't pull together some basics about these dogs in one place, and secondly see if I couldn't clear the way a bit of some of the 'stuff' that accrues over time due to personal opinions, agendas and just plain forgetful thoughtlessness. Most of us love our dogs - all of them - as pets first and 'useful' second, meaning that these animals are often a part of the family, whether they live in the home and underfoot or have a kennel building with their own space - they're all part of the family 'pack', that's just how it is. Most non-doggy folk don't understand this, and many pet owners can't understand how breeder's can care for their numbers as much as the pet owner can care for one. But we do. And the difference is generally this : the pet owner more often views the pet from a human standpoint, while the breeder views the dog as what it is, a canine. A totally different species that doesn't think like humans and doesn't act like them. In other words 'dog world' folk in general have learned to think 'dog'. Breeders, trainers and exhibitors, both conformation and performance, have all learned that to get the most out of this association we need to understand the dog, not just expect the dog to understand us. Pet owners usually expect the pet to adjust to them through training and daily experience - the dogs do for the most part, they learn much more about us than we'll ever learn about them, even those of us who know dogs well. And there's nothing 'wrong' or 'right' with either way, they're just different.
The first bit of 'stuff' that I want to clear away concerns the anti-breeder and often simply anti-pet legislation that is sweeping the U.S. today. There are some fringe groups that are using the cover of animal 'welfare' to fool the public into thinking that they are for better treatment of our animal friends, they use 'warm and fuzzy' language to persuade animal lovers to their ranks (very fuzzy language) and fuzzy (as in short on facts) details to persuade legislators to their cause. The two foremost groups have names that many visitors to this site will recognize ; People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Humane Society of the United States (H$U$). Neither group has anything to do with your local shelter, in fact do not actually maintain any shelters or care for any animals, they simply raise money from your donations to pad their 'war chests' for lobbying their causes on the Hill in D.C. I will say no more about them, other than to ask that you investigate for yourselves - really investigate - these organizations and others like them. If you love your pet/s, and want to see your grandchildren have the right to own pets as well, then as the saying goes 'follow the money'. And check out National Animal Interest Alliance, it's as good a place as any to start.
Now, on to these Terriers! They are truly 'all one dog' in that they were developed from the same core, in general the same breeds went into their making. This is the one thing that I'd like to see remembered ; whether they're a Rat Terrier, Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, American Hairless Terrier, Decker or a Feist they all came from the same 'point of origin'. They all began with breeds brought over with immigrants decades ago, they've all lived on farms with and chased 'varmints' for their owners and provided companionship for the kids. And when they were first registered as a recognizable breed they were all Rat Terriers. Now that they are venturing into the world of conformation showing, for sanity's sake (and simplicity) they carry different names to differentiate the types. As the years pass it is likely that they will become completely separate as far as type, bloodlines and registration and that's a fine thing, it will increase the predictability of offspring as the types remain within their own. But I hope that it is never forgotten that they are 'all one dog', equally worthy of their place at our sides.
Registries. For now, and probably for the foreseeable future the issue of registries is going to be a bit thorny. By nature registries exist to register dogs, and they are businesses, they intend to earn their keep so they're competitive with one another. Now keeping in mind that this is my opinion, please, I am going to say that registering your dog is a fine thing, knowing your dog's pedigree is good, often even a point of pride. But barring DNA testing for parentage - which can be done today happily - the pedigree you are proud of is only worth the paper it's printed on. DNA testing currently will verify the parents of the litter in question - but not any of the ancestors. Which is to say it's not the pedigree that is of the utmost importance, it's the dog. The dog always comes first. He doesn't care about his family tree, he only cares about you. Respect that. Beyond that, and within that reasoning, if you purchase a registered Terrier all well and good, he's registered and depending on the registry he can be shown at their sponsored events - that's great! More for you to do with your dog! Just try not to get caught up in the ego-boosting world of competition to the point that you lose sight of the dogs.
Whether you go with UKCI or NRTA, or UKC or AKC, or any one of the numerous other registries really only depends on your personal aims. Many of these dogs are dual or even triple registered, and many will be at least until a registry closes it's 'stud books', as AKC eventually does by rule, once the new breed is established. If you're into competition events by all means choose UKC or AKC, they offer the greater numbers to attend. If it's a home companion you're looking for then the registry won't be as important as the parents and the breeder of the litter and the puppy's health and temperament. Be proud of the effort that has gone into breeding a happy and healthy and sound animal, respect the breeder of such a one, enjoy your accomplishments on the field and in the ring. Just never forget the dogs come first, and always remember that they were once all Rat Terriers - and are all American Terriers!
