I'm Carrie A., the breeder behind Top Shelf Rat Terriers located in Lodi, CA. We enjoy showing our dogs, and they are our companions in every adventure. We are invested in Rat Terriers and in helping the breed thrive. We do all that we can to give our puppies the best lives, including proper health care, thorough socialization following the Puppy Culture protocol, and finding them each wonderful, loving homes and providing each family with our support for the life of their dog.
Q. & A. with Carrie
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include white, chocolate and tan, blue white and tan, white black and tan, red white and sable, and black tan and white. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Buck
Went home
Male
White Lightening
Went home
Female
Z
Went home
Male
Pocket
Went home
Male
B.B (Baby Blue)
Went home
Female
Starfish
Went home
Female
Penny
Went home
Female
Dollar- From the Jackpot Litter
Went home
Male
Buck
Went home
Male
Nickel
Went home
Female
Cash
Went home
Male
Ka-ching
Went home
Female
From the Jackpot litter-Euro
Went home
Male
Quid
Went home
Male
Peso
Went home
Male
Bogo
Went home
Male
Rupee
Went home
Female
Moolah
Went home
Male
Crypto
Went home
Female
Getting a puppy from Carrie
Carrie 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 between $1,400 - $1,500 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“The price includes proof of clear health tested parents, health guarantee, prepaid AKC registration, first set of puppy vaccinations, Puppy raising following the Puppy Culture program, and prepaid microchip.”
Contract & health guarantee
Carrie 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 Carrie 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 Carrie directly.
Top Shelf Rat Terriers 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
Litter and program updates
Carrie A.
Litter update on 22 Apr. •
Fetch is starting to show a bit of a baby belly. She says she’d rather sit on my granddaughter’s lap than pose for a maternity photo!😆🐾❤️
Matrix and Fetch's litter
Parent dogs
Everest, dad
Rat Terrier
About Everest
Everest is my heart dog (don’t tell the others). This boy is all heart & personality to die for! He has that “look at me” personality when he’s in the show ring. He is the dog I measure all my dogs to temperament wise. He’s our all 🌟 star.
Fetch, mom
Rat Terrier
About Fetch
Fetch is a fun, out-going, loves everyone type of girl. She is an AKC Champion & enjoys the show ring as well as fun sport events. Her personality is happy, happy, happy!!
Rev, mom
Rat Terrier
About Rev
Rev is our best girl, she is the daughter of our Grand Champion male, Everest. She adds sweetness and a bit of a smaller frame to her puppies. That is why her & Fetch are a perfect match...our top priority in our puppies is temperament!
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Great level
Top Shelf Rat Terriers 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.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Patellar Luxation
Knee testing reduces the chance of passing down Patellar Luxation, which results in the kneecap becoming displaced or dislocated and can cause mild to severe joint pain.
Legg-Calve-Perthes (OFA)
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
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).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Carrie to bring home their puppies.
Connie W.
Verified owner · Jan. 2025
+4
Carrie was kind & considerate from the beginning. She is a very knowledgeable breeder & I just loved all her pups & the mother. She was very thoughtful & thorough with the whole process as I arrived and until I left. Carrie loves all her babies & loves placing each one with a good match. Misty Blue is a very adaptable little Rat Terriors & the cutest little girl ever! I’ve had her 2 wks and she recently had her 2nd shots. I am so happy I have her & all because Carrie knew we were going to do great.