The Rat Terrier is a smooth-coated, compact, and robust exterminator dog that is an American original. Teddy Roosevelt is credited with creating the breed name. RTs come in two size varieties and are happy-go-lucky, playful, and portable companions. Rat Terriers have a balanced, compact build that makes them robust but fashionable. Standard sizes range from over 13 inches to as high as 18 inches, while miniatures stand between 10 and 13 inches tall at the shoulder. The lustrous, silky coat is available in numerous pied patterns. These smoothly muscled exterminators are designed for the efficient mobility required for a long day’s work (pied, a word borrowed from the horseman’s lexicon, denotes “comparatively large patches of one or more colors in combination with white”).
Rat Terrier
friendly / inquisitive / lovable
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
10-13 inches (miniature)
13-18 inches (standard)
Weight
10-25 pounds
Life Expectancy
12-18 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Rat Terrier
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Rat Terriers are generally very healthy dogs, and responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (loose kneecaps), Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and cardiac and eye disorders. All breeding stock is genetically tested by a responsible breeder with the goal of lowering the prevalence of health issues and finally eradicating them.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Patella Evaluation
- Hip Evaluation
- Legg-Calve-Perthe Radiographic
- Primary Lens Luxation(PLL)
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
Since Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (loose kneecaps), heart and eye abnormalities, as well as other health issues, are rather common in Rat Terriers, reputable breeders examine their stock for these conditions. A responsible breeder conducts genetic testing on all of their breeding stock in an effort to reduce the incidence of health problems and eventually eradicate them.
Exercise
Most Rat Terriers will thrive with regular walks and some tennis-ball chasing and other play in a gated enclosure, however some can obtain enough exercise for their needs through indoor activity. They typically get along well with larger or similar-sized dogs. Puppy training sessions and early socializing are also advised. The Rat Terrier has a strong prey drive, so they should never be left unattended because the majority of them will become excited to chase an unfamiliar cat or squirrel.
Training
The Rat Terrier is quite trainable and intelligent, yet some individuals can be obstinate and determined at times. They can thrive in canine sports including agility, obedience, rally, and more. They have extraordinarily high levels of sensitivity and intuition, love to please their owners, and thrive when praised. They also react well to positive training techniques. Most people are tolerant and patient with kids, but they can be wary of strangers. They are among the calmest terrier breeds, but they are still very active dogs who need frequent walks, exercise, and lots of company. They perform best while a part of a human family.
Nutrition
The Rat Terrier should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is produced commercially or is made at home under the guidance and consent of your veterinarian. Whatever the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior), the diet should be suitable. Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.
History
The Rat Terrier is a breed of terrier that has been developed specifically to hunt rats. A mouse infestation may make the difference between having enough grain to last the winter and going without food, therefore a good ratter was standard equipment on old farms. But because practical farmers wanted more from their dogs than just expertise, RTs also proved themselves as reliable watchdogs, henhouse guardians, and playmates for kids.