General Standards

At this time, the following shall be standardized for show:

Head
Should be evenly proportioned, with clean lines and a well-defined stop at the brow. The muzzle should be of good breadth, rounded and blunt, not narrow or pointed. The male head should project broadness and strength, while a female's projects strength and definition that is clearly feminine.
Faults: Long face with pointed muzzle, head too narrow or too wide, no clear brow stop, male head appearing too feminine, female head having a masculine appearance.

Ears
Standard
Well-formed oval shape of medium size, they should be upright and spaced well apart.
Faults: Creases or folds, ears set too low or too far apart.

Dumbo
Ears to be large, round, and semicircular, set low on the sides of the head, and pointing back toward the body, maintaining a picture of balance, while ideally being placed as low as possible on the head.
Faults: Creases or folds; pointing down, so as to give an oblong or tubular shape, pointed edges, set too high or too low.

Tail
Standard
Long and cylindrical, thick at the base and tapering to a fine point. Should be at least the length of the body ( nose to base of tail ) and be firm, and of size/thickness appropriate to the size of the rat, so as to give a balance appearance.
Faults: Not cylindical, short, thin. Disqualification: Kinked or docked.

Tailless
There should be complete absence of a tail, giving the appearance of a cobbier body and a rounded rump.
Disqualification: Any evidence of a tail. Docked tail. Any evidence of physical abnormalities in walking, climbing, or skeletal problems.

Eyes
Large, round, and bold; set wide apart so as to give the appearance of width to the head. Placement is ideally half way between the tip of the nose and the back of the ears.
Faults: Eyes too small.

Coat
Standard
Fur to be dense, even, and lustrous - should lay flat and smooth. Long guard hairs or slightly coarser fur are permissible in Males. Whiskers are long and straight. Color and markings should conform to recognized standard.

Rex
Fur to be thick and densely curled. Guard hairs should be coarse and easily felt. Whiskers to be curled.
Faults: Frizzed, loose coat, bald patches.

Satin
Fine to the touch, with longer and softer guard hairs that give an overall glossy look or sheen. Satin lends some colors a sparkling appearance, and a yellowish cast on white and Siamese. Whiskers to be wavy and point in varying directions.

Doublerex
Several variations may appear on the table. Bald patches among short, wirey coat that resembles that of a poodle or partially sheared lamb. A rat nearly bald with small areas of 'peach fuzz' on the muzzle, legs, and base of tail. A very short, wirey coat that looks similar to a 'buzz cut'. Whiskers and eyelashes should be curled.
Faults: Fully furred with hair that is too long or soft and resembling a standard coat, or one that is fully furred with medium-length, wirey coat resembling a regular rex.

Hairless
To be as hairless as possible. Any recognized color and markings allowed. Eye color to match the appropriate color. Skin should be clean, healthy, and free of any imperfections. Whiskers to be curly or absent. Preference given to the least amount of hair. Ears in either variety, should appear larger.

Teeth
Two upper and two lower incisors, none misshapen or missing. Mouth should be able to close normally, with top incisors in front of the lower.

General Faults
Stained, unkempt coats
Noticeably overweight or underweight
Overgrown nails or teeth
Kinked tail
Tattered ears
Injured toes
Other healed injuries that detract from the overall appearance

General Disqualifications
Severe scabs and/or parasites
Fleas, lice and mites
Pregnant or nursing does
Difficult to handle or aggression
Missing body parts including males with one or both testicles missing
Recent injuries that have not yet healed