Between the three of us we have 5 of Marion Shiller's Tiny Tot Rat Terriers. We all agree that we can't say enough good things about her dogs and her integrity as a breeder. Two of us have larger dogs in the house and these little guys "rule the roost". They all get along great!

Bren Ewen: Bren studied in Molecular Veterinary Medicine and has worked in veterinary medicine. She stays up on all the current veterinary research and is a great reference.        

         When we first contacted Marion Shiller, we explained all our concerns to Marion about buying over the internet, and we began a lengthy email correspondence about the type of dog we wanted (smaller this time, 6-7 lbs.) and good temperament. She advised us of various litters in progress, and the little personalities within them. She emailed photos of potential candidates, we discussed them, then continued to narrow the field. She picked one she thought would be perfect in size and personality and boy, was she right!

        Then we actually arrived in Cameron for a final inspection of our little guy and to pick him up. (We told her the name in advance so she had started calling him Dino to get him used to his name). We had a pictorial history of his development from age two weeks and felt like we knew this dog. And guess what?, we did! Marion's observations of personality and temperament and projected size ( Dino is full grown and 6.5 lbs - Marion said between six and seven) have proved right on the money. 

       I am impressed by Marion's handling of her pups. That gets them accustomed to human contact, as well as her adult dogs interplay with the various youngsters to socialize them as 'normal' non-neurotic dogs. If you get a pup from her and have your little children play with them, the pup will be bonded with them and very protective if any strangers come near them. Dino (now 5 months) barks if anyone passes by our condo and stays on alert even if we let them in until we introduce them to him. Once he knows who's who he's very friendly, but I think he's still keeping an eye out for us. He very much enjoys being part of our 'pack'. (LOL) 

     As a general observation, rats terriers are very sociable, think they are actually big dogs ,but do want a lot of love and affection. They are just like kids. If you and your family can give a "rat" the same attention you give each other you will both have a rewarding experience.  

      What I especially like about the setup is this: 1. She has the newborn pups crated in her family room that opens to her back porch, fed by their moms in a baby playpen. Very, very clean, just like they're part of the family. This means the pups see people all the time, and they are handled frequently so they learn to be affectionate to people from early on. We see the results in Dino. When they get older they spend the days in a baby playpen. 2. The family rooms opens onto the porch, which leads down the steps to the adult dogs' houses (surrounded by a 2' electrified fence to protect the dogs from dangerous varmints - this is rural Texas, after all). When the pups are older they are socialized on the back porch by a "committee" of Marion's mom dogs so they learn to behave like proper little rat terriers. 3. The net result of all this socialization is a wonderful, non-neurotic dog. 

      We have 2 of Marion's Dogs.  Both out of Frankie & Marion's One.  One we call
" Stormy" & the other, which  is her little sister , we call  "Blossom". There are no words that can begin to express the true &  loving nature of these little ones. Their attitudes and affection alone can easily show the care & love they are given from day one. The character that each has is truly remarkable and shines in their attitudes, which can only mean one thing, and that is that Marion had to spend some quality time with these two for them to have such wonderful personalities.  

     In our opinion this is what a breeder is all about.  And no one could ask for a better breeder & friend than Marion.  We have personally had the privilege to meet Marion and her Rat's  more than once. And  in doing so, I must say that she is a very knowledgeable and caring person who is very concerned about her little rats and where they go. She will take all the proper steps to make sure that you and your puppies are more than mere friends, but more like loving and compatible companions.
      To Love is to care, with quality and direction.  And this truly shines in
Marion's affection.
                                              

     When I first emailed Marion Shiller, I had no idea about Rat Terriers, the breed is not well known in Canada. We soon began a lengthy email correspondence about the type of dog I wanted (small under 5lbs) and a good temperament. She advised me of the litters available, she emailed photos of potential babies, we discussed them, then continued to narrow the search. She picked one she thought would be perfect in size and boy, was she right! (I told her his name in advance so she started calling him Salem to get him used to his name). I had an email history of his development from age two weeks and felt like I knew this little dog, and guess what, I did!!! Marion's observations of personality and temperament and projected size was right on target, ( Salem is almost 2 yrs old now and weighs 5.5 lbs ).

     Last summer I had the pleasure of visiting Marion and her kennel, when Salem and I went to pick up our new addition to our family (Kandu), who is now 9 months old and weighs in at about 4lbs, I was impressed by Marion's handling of her pups. She gets them used to human contact. If you get a pup from her and have children the pup will bond with them and be very protective if any strangers come near them.

     What I especially like about Marion's kennel is: Marion has the newborn pups crated in her family room that opens to her back porch, fed by their moms in a baby playpen, very clean just like they're part of the family. This means the pups see people all the time, and they are handled frequently so they learn to be affectionate to people from early on. When they get older they spend the days in a baby playpen. The family rooms opens onto the porch, which leads down the steps to the adult dog houses (surrounded by a 2' electrified fence to protect the dogs from danger). When the pups are older they are socialized on the back porch by Marion's mom dogs so they learn to behave like proper little Rat Terriers. 

     I can tell you that I have the best two dogs in the world, they are smart, witty, protective and very funny. I have only the highest recommendation for Marion Shiller, you can bank on anything she says. Feel free to ask me questions any time.