Rat Standards

NSWFRMC Official Rat Standard

Summary of general confirmation.

Not all colours and markings are available in Australia.

The rat should be of good size; females should be of long and racy type; males should be of larger build, arched over the loin, muscular, well toned, with long head, but not too pointed at the nose.

The eyes should be large, round, clean and full of life.

The ears should be of good size, round, well formed and widely spaced.

The tail should be cylindrical, as long as the body, thick at the base tapering to a fine point, except the Manx on which the sole feature is the complete absence of a tail.

This is a condition of birth, and not an amputation. There should be no stub or scar tissue.

Note: Body type is different to tailed animals; legs should be carried well under the body, giving a pear shaped roundness to the overall appearance with slight rise to rump carriage.

The ears, feet and tail should be covered with fine hair. The coat should be smooth and glossy (except Rex and Hairless). Males should have a longer and coarser coat than females.

The NSWFRMC currently recognises the following;

Varieties: Standard, Silky, Rex, Double Rex, Hairless and Manx. The Standard variety will be separated into the following four;

Sections: Self, Ticked, Silvered and Marked.

Faults

Stained or dirty coat, too fat or too thin, nicked ear, scaly skin, mild scabs not detracting from appearance (judges discretion), kinked or short tail, or lack of whiskers (except Hairless).

Eliminations

Pregnant or nursing females, respiratory disease, excessive scabs, mites or lice, abscesses, wounds, eye infections, obvious ill health, intractability, biting or tumours.

Disqualifications

Split ear, any missing body parts, surgical alteration, any dyeing, plucking or trimming intended to alter natural condition, or any obvious physical abnormality.

Any animal not conforming to minimum show standards will be declared N/A (not applicable) and will not be placed.