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Decker Terrier

Historie of the Decker Terriër

The Decker Terrier like most other breeds was developed for a specific purpose. In this case it was to create a multipurpose hunting dog that was also an outstanding companion. Milton Decker set out to accomplish this daunting task, and he absolutely succeeded!

Those of us that enjoy hunting and the outdoors recognize that the enjoyment, and our hunting success, is magnified greatly when we are accompanied by a great dog. For Milton Decker that dog was Henry , who possessed the hunting instincts and overall qualities rarely seen in one dog. It became a passion for Milton to recreate his dog Henry and also to make some improvements.

This all started in the early 1970's as Milton began to breed what we now call the Decker Terrier. It is widely accepted that Henry was not a purebred dog. He was in fact a cross between a Rat Terrier (his sire Jock) and a Smooth Coat Fox Terrier (his dam Frosty Dew). The Rat Terrier in it's background is known to have Fox Terrier, Manchester Terrier, English White Terrier (now extinct), Beagle, Whippet and in the case of the Decker Terrier it appears that Basenji has played a strong role as well. The Basenji blood seems to be distinct in the development of the Decker Terrier versus the Standard Rat Terrier. Henry was 32lbs and that seemed to be a good size for the type of dog Milton wanted to create. The size of these dogs led to them being referred to as "Giant" hence the breed also being known as The Decker Giant Rat Terrier.

Based in Oregon Milton traveled to Kansas , Texas , Arkansas and many other states searching for large hunting Rat Terriers. He brought these dogs back to his kennel and began the process of creating the dog that we love. He made a few changes along the way by fixing an erect ear set and a smooth, tight coat vs Henry 's button ears and somewhat coarser coat. His dogs also developed a "regal" attitude and were extremely smart. Though they originated from mostly Rat Terrier stock they have since evolved through selective breeding into a distinct breed, seperate from the standard Rat Terrier.

When I say a hunting breed that is exactly what I mean. Milton used his dogs on vermin, squirrel, upland game and they would if necessary retrieve from water. The Decker Terrier has been used successfully hunting coon, baying wild boar, cougar & bear. Deer hunters liked the Decker Terrier as they would generally flush the deer from cover and would only pursue for a short distance before returning to the hunter. In some cases they have even been known to turn the hunt back to the hunter thus giving additional chances for a successful hunt. On a more exotic note some Decker's were even used in Central America to hunt Jaguar.

The Decker Terrier possesses a natural hunting ability, keen senses, above average intelligence & loyalty. They range in size from 22-40lbs, with a few larger than this, and 16-19" at the withers in height. They are a well built dog that is extremely athletic and tightly muscled.

Now on to more recent history. Milton Decker closed down his kennel about 1991 or 1992 and quit breeding these wonderful dogs. Rosalie Rinear of Fire Mountain Kennels obtained a dog called Tonka as well as some dogs directly from Milton . Tonka was used quite a bit at Fire Mountain and can be seen in many of the Decker Terriers that came from her Kennel. Stan Simon also influenced the more recent dogs with a successful mating of Simon ’s Pharoah to North Corner Sugie that produced many fine dogs that are seen in numerous pedigrees of dogs around the country. But the very best dogs Milton had when he closed his kennel went to Tim Brown . Tim received 13 of Milton 's very best dogs and for the next several years was largely responsible for maintaining the 100% lines. A short explanation here on the %. Currently any dog that is 50% or greater Decker Bloodlines is considered a Decker Terrier, but the 100% dogs are the ones that can truely trace all of their pedigree back to Milton 's original dogs. We strive to maintain the %'s as high as possible to retain as many of the dominant traits as we can that make a Decker, a Decker. This will be explained in more detail on a page dedicated to breeding practices.

Current Day

Unfortunately due to illness Tim also had to stop breeding the Decker Terrier and it was almost their complete downfall. Now enter Eli Brown and Kim Seegmiller . Eli got his first Decker Terrier in about 1996 with a dog named Mack . Mack was from Tim 's kennel and showed all of the typical Decker characteristics. Unfortunately he died an untimely death, but he left a lasting impression on Eli that would eventually lead him write a book about the Decker Terrier and begin acquiring and raising these wonderful dogs. Around 2001 Kim Seegmiller got her first Decker Terrier, a high % female named Hattie and Kim was hooked. What disturbed her greatly though was that these dogs were very few and far between......well this became a mission. Kim has spent countless time and money finding these dogs and was successful in obtaining Simon 's Lucy a 100% female. She has since tracked down many other high % dogs and has assembled a kennel noted for producing hig quality, high % Decker Terriers. She also convinced Tim to let her have one of his few 100% males in hopes of producing more of these dogs. Kim traveled to Pennsylvania and returned with Brown's Grit. The mating of Brown's Grit to Simon's Lucy and Seegmiller's Hattie has been instrumental in re-establishing the high % Decker Terriers. If not for the efforts of people like Tim Brown , Kim Seegmiller and Eli Brown the Decker Terrier would be a fading memory instead of a growing and thriving breed as it is today.

Additionally we should also note the contribution of the NRTA. Margaret Burz established the National Rat Terrier Association and is the only National Registry that has tracked the % of Decker Terrier Bloodlines in these dogs. This has been invaluable in keeping the information alive to preserve and continue the Decker Terrier Breed.