Very observant Mr. Morris! The "Rat" was named so by Teddy Roosevelt. Breeders in Great Britain crossed the Smooth Fox Terrier with the Manchester Terrier in 1820. The dog came to the U.S. in 1890 and was crossed with the Whippet. Bred as a farm vermin controller, one famous Rat Terrier is credited with killing 2,501 barn rats in just seven hours! They are very quick and agile, yet obedient and affectionate.