I'm Melanie H., the breeder behind Sunshine Deckers located in Gonzales, TX. Our program is focused on producing puppies that are healthy, well-structured, and have outstanding temperaments. We have high expectations for our puppies and strive to place each one in an enriching and loving home!
Q. & A. with Melanie
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home and a kennel on my property.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Roy
Reserved
Male
Rex
Reserved
Male
Ryan
Reserved
Male
Boy 7
Went home
Male
Boy 5
Went home
Male
Boy 1
Went home
Male
Boy 4
Went home
Male
Boy 6
Went home
Male
Boy 3
Went home
Male
Boy 2
Went home
Male
Dundee
Went home
Male
Sue
Went home
Female
Ava
Went home
Female
Ivy
Went home
Female
Croc
Went home
Male
Mia
Went home
Female
Spock
Went home
Male
McCoy
Went home
Male
Scotty
Went home
Male
Beverly
Went home
Female
Troi
Went home
Female
Kirk
Went home
Male
Seven
Went home
Female
Janeway
Went home
Female
Joe
Went home
Male
Bill
Went home
Male
Bob
Went home
Male
Don
Went home
Male
Jon
Went home
Male
Kim
Went home
Female
Joy
Went home
Female
Reba
Went home
Female
Getting a puppy from Melanie
Melanie has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $475 non-refundable deposit and $475 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Contract & health guarantee
Melanie may provide a written contract or
health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps
protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you
both have a clear understanding of the terms of your
puppy purchase. If Melanie offers a contract
or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them.
If you have any questions or want to know more,
don’t hesitate to reach out to Melanie directly.
Sunshine Deckers meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
Responsible breeding practices
Health of breeding dogs and puppies
Puppy environment and enrichment
Buyer education and policies
Parent dogs
Dusty, mom
Rat Terrier
About Dusty
Dusty is a sweet, funny, and exuberant girl. She loves to hunt and play and cuddle. She’s a great mother too.
Hutson, dad
Rat Terrier
About Hutson
Hutson is a gentle, fun loving, hunting machine. He loves people and gets along with most other dogs. He happy to hunt and when he’s done with that he’s happy to be a couch potato.
Spicy, mom
Rat Terrier
About Spicy
Spicy is a wonderful dog. She loves people and other dogs. She is an excellent hunter and she is a good companion too.
Nina/Meanie, mom
Rat Terrier
About Nina/Meanie
We acquired Nina from a friend who is a breeder. Her registered name being Magnolia didn’t fit as we already have a dog named Maggie. We started calling her Nina but quickly changed that to “ Meanie” because she barks at EVERYONE! She is not mean spirited or even aggressive - her love language is barking apparently. She is an excellent momma, a great hunter and she has been a blessing to our program.
Zoom, dad
Rat Terrier
About Zoom
Zoom is a spectacular little rattie. He is 14 inches tall and weighs about 15 pounds. He is an excellent hunter and loves to steal kisses from anyone and everyone he can.
Festus, dad
Rat Terrier
About Festus
Festus is a male Rat Terrier. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Melanie decided to make him part of their program. Melanie has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Katie, mom
Rat Terrier
About Katie
Katie is a female Rat Terrier. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Melanie decided to make her part of their program. Melanie has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Robin, mom
Rat Terrier
About Robin
Robin is a female Rat Terrier. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Melanie decided to make her part of their program. Melanie has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Patrick, dad
Rat Terrier
About Patrick
Patrick is a male Rat Terrier. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Melanie decided to make him part of their program. Melanie has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Melanie, mom
Rat Terrier
About Melanie
Melanie is a female Rat Terrier. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Melanie decided to make her part of their program. Melanie has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Spot, dad
Rat Terrier
About Spot
Spot is a male Rat Terrier. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Melanie decided to make him part of their program. Melanie has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Hickory, dad
Rat Terrier
About Hickory
Hickory is a “talker”. He’s a BIG boy and is a great hunter but he loves to cuddle and thinks he’s a lapdog! Haha
Willow, mom
Rat Terrier
About Willow
Beautiful Tuxedo marked girl. Black, white and tan. She is super sweet and loves to hunt or be a couch potato with you!
Boomerang, mom
Rat Terrier
About Boomerang
Boomerang is a female Rat Terrier. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Melanie decided to make her part of their program. Melanie has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Hutson, dad
Rat Terrier
About Hutson
Hutson is very playful and is such a sweet boy. He is a fierce hunter and when he’s not hunting he’s a big goofy boy!
Cooper, dad
Rat Terrier
About Cooper
Cooper is a hunter’s dream. He loves water too. He will do anything you ask of him. He loves to hunt and to go. He likes to ride or run alongside the 4-wheeler. He’ll climb up a tree after a squirrel or raccoon. He loves people and other dogs. He’s a good good boy.
Diana, mom
Rat Terrier
About Diana
Diana is a big, beautiful girl. She can hunt all day long and then snuggle up with you on the sofa and sleep while you watch TV. She wants to go when you go and stay when you stay. She’s a fine athlete and a kind soul.
Piney, mom
Rat Terrier
About Piney
She is a great all-around dog. She loves to hunt and then is perfectly happy to sit and cuddle on the couch while we watch TV. She’s a great mom to the pups.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Good level
Sunshine Deckers reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Rat Terriers.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).