Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Prague Ratter is one of Europe’s oldest dog breeds, originating from the Czech Republic. In the Middle Ages, these miniature dogs served at noble courts and were used to hunt rodents. Owing to their grace and intelligence, they quickly gained popularity as decorative companion dogs. After a decline in interest in the 19th century, the breed was revived in the late 20th century and is now recognized as a national treasure of the Czech Republic.
General Appearance
The Prague Ratter is a miniature yet well-built and elegant dog with a distinctly muscular outline. It has harmonious proportions and a lively, energetic temperament. The body is compact and light, without signs of coarseness or fragility. Movements are free, confident, and springy. The overall impression is one of alertness, strength, and nobility in miniature form.
Important Proportions
The Prague Ratter has a square body format — the length of the body approximately equals the height at the withers. The head is proportional to the body, the skull slightly rounded, and the muzzle tapers towards the nose without being pointed. The chest depth is about half the height at the withers. The limbs are slender, medium in length, providing agility and stability in movement. The tail does not exceed the body length and complements the overall silhouette. All proportions should reflect balance between elegance and physical endurance.
Temperament and Character
The Prague Ratter has a lively, balanced, and friendly disposition. It is deeply devoted to its owner, forms strong bonds with its family, and gets along well with children. Despite its miniature size, it is courageous and has a strong sense of alertness. Intelligent and easy to train, it enjoys active play. With strangers, it may show caution but never aggression. Energetic, observant, and mentally stable, it makes an ideal companion and watchful miniature guardian.
Head
The head is proportional to the body, with a well-defined stop between the forehead and muzzle. The skull is slightly rounded without coarse lines. The muzzle is of medium length, narrowing towards the nose but not pointed. The cheeks are moderately developed, the forehead broad and gently curved. The nose is black or matches the coat color. Lips are thin, tight, and not pendulous. The bite is scissor-shaped, teeth strong and even. The expression is intelligent, attentive, and lively.
Facial Part
The facial structure is neat and well-proportioned, harmonizing with the overall head shape. The muzzle is relatively short, slightly tapering, with a smooth, moderate transition from forehead to muzzle.
Eyes
The eyes are large, expressive, almond-shaped, and dark to warm brown in color. They are widely set and bright, with a lively, alert expression that reflects intelligence and curiosity. The eye rims are well-defined, giving the face a soft and friendly look. The eyes are an essential feature of the breed, emphasizing its lively and confident character.
Ears
The ears are medium-sized, set high, triangular with rounded tips. When alert, the dog holds them upright; when relaxed, they may tilt slightly outward. The ears are mobile, enhancing the dog’s alert and expressive appearance. Their placement complements the head shape and adds to the breed’s characteristic expression.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, muscular yet graceful, smoothly transitioning into the back and shoulders. It is proportionate to the body, slightly arched, adding elegance to the dog’s movements. The neck enhances the refined silhouette and mobility of the head, contributing to the breed’s overall balance.
Body
The body is compact, well-proportioned, and muscular. The back is straight with a slightly defined loin; the chest is deep and moderately broad, and the belly is tucked up. The croup blends harmoniously with the back, forming a balanced outline. The body is firm and strong but not heavy, reflecting the breed’s agility, alertness, and endurance. The overall structure conveys vitality and elegance within a miniature frame.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, set low to moderately high, slightly curved or with a gentle bend at the tip. In motion, it is carried freely and never tucked between the legs. The coat on the tail is short and smooth, emphasizing its shape. The tail complements the body’s proportions and contributes to the dog’s expressive movement and communication.
Forequarters
The forelegs are straight, parallel, and proportionate to the body. The shoulders are moderately sloped; forearms are muscular and strong. Feet are small, oval, with compact pads providing stability and agility. Joints are firm, with no inward or outward deviation. The length of the forelegs contributes to the dog’s balanced and light gait.
Hindquarters
The hind legs are muscular, strong, and slightly longer than the forelegs, creating a gentle rise from the withers to the croup. The thighs are well-developed; stifle and hock joints are flexible, allowing smooth movement. Feet are oval, compact, with elastic pads. The hindquarters are proportionate, ensuring balance and fluid motion.
Gait and Movement
The gait is light, confident, and energetic. The Prague Ratter moves smoothly, with hind legs tracking the forelegs. The body remains stable and well-coordinated. When running, it shows agility and speed, easily changing direction. Tail and ears are expressive and mobile, conveying the dog’s emotions and alertness. The gait reflects the breed’s lively, confident nature.
Coat
The coat is short, smooth, tight-fitting, and glossy. It is of uniform length over the entire body, with no undercoat, emphasizing the muscle tone and refined silhouette. The texture is soft and easy to maintain. The natural shine highlights health and vitality.
Acceptable Colors
Accepted colors include black, dark brown (chocolate), red, blue, fawn, isabella, and sable. Both solid and tan-marked variations are allowed, with tan points required to be clear and well-defined. White markings are undesirable, except for a small spot on the chest. The coat should be even, saturated, and glossy.
Size
The Prague Ratter is a miniature breed. Height at the withers ranges from 20 to 23 cm, and weight from 2 to 3 kg. The body is compact, light, and proportionate, combining agility, balance, and elegance. Despite its size, it remains strong and harmonious.
Faults
Faults include deviations that disrupt balance or breed type: excessive heaviness or lightness, overly long or short body, low-set or short neck, coarse or flat head, elongated or wide muzzle, small or slanted eyes, or poorly set ears. A long, harsh, or wavy coat, unclear markings, or white patches (other than allowed) are also considered faults.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include absence or deformation of the tail, straight or excessively long tail, incorrect bite, cranial deformities, strabismus, eyes of abnormal color, extreme aggression or fearfulness. Long or wavy coats, large white patches, or mixed-breed traits also disqualify. Any serious defect affecting function or type excludes the dog from breeding.
Important Notes
As a miniature yet athletic breed, the Prague Ratter should be evaluated for proportion, head type, tail structure, coat, and temperament. Minor tail deviations are acceptable if they do not affect movement. Artificial alterations such as trimming or tail docking are prohibited. Evaluation should consider liveliness, intelligence, and human-oriented behavior.
Conclusion
The Prague Ratter is a graceful, agile, and intelligent miniature dog with expressive eyes, a lively gaze, and a charming personality. The breed combines alertness, loyalty, and playfulness, easily bonding with both people and other pets. Its compact frame, elegant lines, and smooth coat embody the Eastern European toy type. The Prague Ratter remains a symbol of courage and affection, representing perfect harmony between beauty, intelligence, and companionship.
