The history of how the rat became a domestic pet.

In the 1800’s is when they started breeding rats for competitions. The competitions were to see which rat terror could kill all the rats the fastest. Pretty cruel, But entertainment back then. So as people starting breeding the rats some people became aware of how a rat is like a dog. It was then rats were starting to be seen as little pets. In fact they called the rat the “fancy rat” signifying that it was upper class to live with people rather than the streets and corners or houses. But it wasn’t really popular to own a rat till Miss Mary Douglas came along. In 1901 Miss Mary Douglas, the “mother of the rat fancy,” open the door for rats. Unfortunately, the popularity of fancy rats began to decline after the death of Miss Douglas in 1921. Less and less interest in rats was shown over the next few years and in 1929 the club was reorganized dropping the word rat from its name. The National Mouse Club is still in existence today.
Over the next 45 years interest in fancy rats was very sporadic. Several times there were people interested in starting rat clubs; however, there was never enough support to really have a go at it. 1976 was the turning point. In January of that year the National Fancy Rat Society was founded. This was the first ever “rats only” organization. It set standards, published a newsletter, and held shows. Since 1976 interest in fancy rats has grown enormously, and many new varieties have been found and standardized.
It is still not clear today how the rat became domestic in the united states. Most likely catching them and keeping them as pets. And I’m sure the rat clubs help out a lot. So then came pet shop owners breeding rats and apparently many people who bred animals for pet shops also supplied them to laboratories. Weird if you ask me. But non the less I’m happy rats came to be as they did or I would never have the grate pleasure of owning a rat myself. So any of us rat owners out there can thank Miss Mary Douglas.

thats a rat terrier. they were the ones who caught rats in the 1800s.