rat terrier

English

Etymology

Named for its talent and avidity for flushing and catching rats. Useful to hunters of various game, useful to farms for pest control, and (like farm cats) inexpensive to keep because it can feed itself via its own hunting pasttime.

Noun

rat terrier (plural rat terriers)

  2. A dog breed, or set of breeds, with a background as a farm dog and hunting companion.
    Hypernyms: terrier < dog < canid < mammal < animal < organism < creature
    Hyponym: Jack Russell terrier
    • 1861, E. J. Guerin, Mountain Charley, page 19:
      In a few moments he returned and introduced an individual of about his own age, who seemed to be a cross between a rat terrier and a bull-dog, so exactly blended in his countenance and general appearance were the evidences of cunningness, activity and ferocious strength.
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