The History of the Prague Ratter
AKA Prazsky Krysarik

 In an article published in a popular Czech dog magazine there was a call on all  Czech cynologist (those who study dog evolution and history)  to help revive a popular historical breed which used to grace the palaces in the middle ages. This call did not go unanswered and those who made the decision to revive the breed considered it very carefully.  They studied articles by well known cynologists such as Otto Karlak and many others which had been  published in journals and periodicals in the early 1920's and 30's and later.  They also studied information gathered by a popular scientist Emil Jech and it was he who re-discovered and confirmed the existence of the breed and provided indisputable evidence the breed was around during the reign of  King Vratislav I of the Czech Lands (999-1060)
 
As you know cultural, social and economic conditions change and so do opinions, taste and fashions.  These changes also reflected the development and popularity of different breeds of dogs as well.  The interest of some breeds grows and diminishes or disappears, only to reappear and grow again after a short or sometimes very long  period of time. The Prague Ratter is just such a breed. Although never internationally recognized it once enjoyed great popularity and then became almost forgotten.  No wonder questions were being asked as to why Czech cynologist, who ranked among the world leaders, had not preserved the purely Czech breed that can be traced back to the early history of the Czech lands.

The Prague Ratter breed is really old, so it is almost impossible to trace it's early beginnings, but a Polish chronicler wrote that Polish King Boleslave II. The Brave (1058-1080) became fond of the Prague Ratter, he had 2 that came from Bohemia. (the Czech Lands)  This chronicle says, "Not only Polish blood but also purely Slavic blood, donated blood, ran in the veins of these little dogs).  As the king of Poland valued his gift,  it is presumed that they were a gift from Czech Prince Vratislav II.

A French historian mentioned in his work, "The history of France", 3 ratting dogs that came from the Czech lands.  He tells of the living gift, Prague Ratter, which the Czech King Karal VI (who also bore the title Emperor of Rome) presented to the French King Charles V in the autumn of 1377.  Upon his death in 1380 he left 2 of these dogs to his son Charles VI.  Another story tells that King Vaclav IV (1378-1419) used to take his favorite Ratter to a pub he liked to go, in disguise.   King Rudolf II used to find comfort and clear mind in the company of his hounds and Ratters.  His original 4 were bred and the number increased to 18 which was an excellent example of his breeding efforts. 

The Prague Ratter was often present at royal banquets and was a symbol of the independence of the Czech Lands and the sovereinty of the Czech Nation. In early history of the Czech Lands the Ratter adorned the palaces of princes and kings and were often given as gifts to other European Rulers. From the royal palaces it then spread to the other areas of society.

The tragic defeat at the battle of White Mt. resulted in the decline of the Czech political, cultural and social life for 3 centuries.  This point in Czech history also meant the departure from glory of the Prague Ratter. The Prague castle (the seat of the Czech rulers) started to lose significance and the Ratter began to leave the confines of the castle walls to live amongst ordinary folk.

The breed survived to present day but by a twist of fate the dogs that typified the Prague Ratter breed were disqualified at dog shows.  They were judged not typical and to small, by the judges who were using the standard for min pins - a similar looking German breed. So once again the Ratter was pushed to the background which was not helpful to further development.  Leading canine experts took an interest in these not typical, smooth haired pinchers and tried to set up a breeding program and gather documentation.  They failed because the chosen dogs did not have a 6 generation pedigree which at the time was a requisite for registration. 

At the same time, in neighboring Germany, Adolf Hitler was rising to power and in 1938 he invaded the Czech Republic.  In the 1950' s one of these experts lands were seized and all the paperwork on the Ratter was lost along with the will to revive the breed.  In 1980 the attempt to revive the breed was repeated and finally succeeded.  The Prague Ratter is here to stay.