About BattleBorn Terriers
Lovingly Bred with Heart
Our names are John and Denise Crites and we own BattleBorn Terriers located in Dayton, Nevada just minutes from Carson City! My husband and I are relatively new to breeding, as well as to showing our Rat Terriers in AKC Conformation. We are branching out with our current show dog, GCH CH BattleBorn Lettin' The Axe Fall, into AKC sports including FastCat, Barn Hunt and Agility. My husband is a retired Captain with CalFire and I am a retired portrait photographer. Our lives revolve around our pack and we would not have it any other way! We live on a third of an acre in a subdivision with grass and a swimming pool. We love to go camping in our motorhome and take our pack with us. We converted the two bunkbeds to carry their crates for travel. We strive to be a breeder of quality Rat Terriers.
The Crites' Rat Pack
Our pack of 8 is our family, lovingly raised in our home. We diligently health test each of our foundation dogs and perform the required OFA testing as recommended by the Rat Terrier Club of America. We currently have two breeding pairs. We only breed colors that are acceptable in AKC, so we do not breed merles or brindles. Puppies are raised with Puppy Culture to provide puppies with a foundation of experiences and skills that will help them grow into confident, well-adjusted adult dogs.
The Rat Terrier
Rat Terriers are one of the calmest of the terrier breeds, nonetheless they are high-energy dogs who require exercise, daily walks and lots of companionship. They are affectionate with family, good with young children if raised around them. They are happy-go-lucky, playful and portable companions. Balanced, compactly built Rat Terriers are tough but elegant-looking. Rat Terriers are keenly observant, devoted, full of energy, yet easily trained and obedient to command. The Rat Terrier is a non-sparring breed and generally friendly with other dogs but may be reserved with strangers.
Meet The Crites' Rat Pack
GCHB CH Rosethorn Phineas McGee, call name Phin, was our first Rat Terrier. At the time he joined our home, we had no intention of showing him let alone breeding! My wonderful breeder Candace Drake of Rosethorn Terriers, encouraged me to consider showing Phin in AKC conformation and she agreed to mentor me in our breeding program as well. I figured why not! Phin achieved his AKC Championship at the age of eleven months. He went on to earn his Grand Championship eight months later at the prestigious dog show in Palm Springs. In 2022, Phin was the number seven Owner-Handled Rat Terrier in the United States, earning him (and me!) an invite to participate in the National Owner-Handled Series in Orlando, Florida. We accepted the invitation and made the long drive to Orlando in our motorhome with our pack! While we did not place, it was the experience of a lifetime! Phin is a red sable piebald. DOB 6/19/2020. Phin is fully health and OFA tested. CHIC#173252.
CH Rosethorn Connery McGee
CH Rosethorn Connery McGee, call name Conner, is littermate to Phin. We did not plan on two Rat Terriers, but when Conner became available, we said, why not? It was the best decision ever!~ Conner is a black tri-colored piebald and he stands approximately 12" at the withers, so he is considered a mini. Conner is a very sweet boy, very active and very loving. Conner was in his first conformation show in March 2023 and Was Winner's Dog and Best of Winners his first time in the ring! Since his first win in March, he has won Best of Breed and Best of Opposite over some very nice specials! Conner has been genetically tested and is a carrier for PRA/PRCD. He has passed all of his recommended OFA testing . Conner has a very sweet temperament and has never met a stranger he did not want to kiss! Conner is a proven producer, having been bred to Bella, producing four beautiful puppies! He is available for stud. DOB 6/19/2020. CHIC#173897
The Crites' Rat Pack
GCH CH Rosethorn @ BattleBorn Paintin' The Town Blu ATT
GCH CH Rosethorn @ BattleBorn Paintin' The Town Blu, call name Gypsy, is a blue tri-colored Irish-marked female. She is from a litter of 10!!!! Gypsy has been in the show ring since she was 6 months old and finished her championship in May 2023 by winning Winner's Bitch not once but twice for the two majors she needed! But she did not stop there! She went on to win Best of Breed each day over two very nice specials! Gypsy stands about 14" at the withers and weighs about 14 pounds. She has a very sweet temperament and loves playing with Bella. Gypsy has been genetically tested and is clear. She has had the recommended OFA tests performed. We are expecting a litter around April 20, 2025. She has been bred to Phin. Their first litter was amazing! Applications are now being accepted! DOB 5/2/2021 CHIC#184082.
GCH CH BattleBorn Lettin' The Axe Fall
GCH CH BattleBorn Lettin' The Axe Fall , call name Axel, is BattleBorn Terriers' first bred-by puppy! Axel was born on November 13, 2021 and has been in the show ring since he was 4 months old. He finished his AKC Championship at 10 months of age and finished his Grand Championship in March 2023. Axel is currently ranked #6 in the National Owner-Handled Series. The top 10 will get an invite to compete in the NOHS this December in Orlando, Florida. Axel is a red sable piebald and stands almost 16" at the withers. He is solid and weighs in around 25 pounds. He is very sweet and takes a bit to warm up to strangers. Axel has been genetically tested and is clear. He had his OFAs performed and passed them. Axel is available for stud and his CHIC#196526
GCHB CH BattleBorn Watchin' The Ravens Fly CGC TKN FDC
Raven was born January 27, 2023 and is a Phin/Shondell puppy. She is a black Tri-colored Irish-Marked and is a small standard. Raven started handling classes at 3 months and started showing in Beginner Puppy at 4 months! She excelled in the show ring, earning a Puppy Best in Show at the Redmond, Oregon show last July! She earned her AKC Puppy of Acheivement certificate at 5 months! Raven finished her AKC Championship in a big way, earning a Terrier Group 3 for a 4-point major, the last one she needed! Raven was just a few days over 8 months of age! She then earned an Owner-Handled Terrier Group 2 and another Terrier Group 3! We have great plans for this little spitfire! Raven finished as the #3 Owner-Handler Rat Terrier for the 2023-2024 points period. Raven is expecting a litter around April 16, 2025. GCHB CH Rosethorn Phineas McGee is the sire. Raven CHIC#203656
About Us
Raven/Phin Litter whelped April 13th! Dash is a chocolate tri-colored piebald male. He is one of the biggest males and will mature at around 25 pounds. Dash is available!
Raven/Phin Litter whelped 4/13/25. Mojo is a red sable piebald and is reserved.
Raven/Phin Litter whelped 4/13/25. Spree is the only female. We are waiting for her nose color to come in to see if she is a lemon or an apricot. She is an Irish-marked. Spree is available!
Raven/Phin Litter whelped 4/13/25. Toot is a male red sable piebald. He should mature around 25 pounds. Toot is available!
Raven/Phin Litter whelped 4/13/25. Romp is a male and we are waiting to see what color he is when his nose colored in. He is an Irish-marked and will mature around 20 pounds. Romp is available!
Raven/Phin Litter whelped 4/13/25. Frisk is a male and is the smallest! Once again, we are waiting for his nose to color in to determine his color. He is an Irish-marked and will mature around 18 pounds or less. Frisk is available!
GCHB CH Rosethorn Phineas McGee ATT
GCHB CH Rosethorn Phineas McGee ATT is currently the #3 Rat Terrier in AKC!