The Rat Terrier is a dog of early immigrants who made their way into America. Designed as a capable farm or ranch dog, his purpose was to protect the property from the rats and other vermin that plagued the farms during those days and this was a job which he performed wholeheartedly. For a time, the Rat Terrier declined in numbers but recent years has seen a resurgence of the breed, this time as a capable and affectionate little companion animal.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Rat Terrier Size
Variations: Miniature and Standard
Rat Terrier
Colors:
Can be found in almost all hound colors as well as pied and solids.
Rat Terrier Height: 10-13 inches at the shoulder for miniature, 13-19 inches for standard
Rat Terrier Weight:
10-25 pounds
Rat Terrier
Exercise Needs: Moderate
Rat Terrier
Grooming Needs: Minimal
Rat Terrier Life Expectancy (Lifespan):
11-13 years
Are Rat Terriers Child-Friendly? Yes
Rat Terrier Training:
Easy
Breed Group:
Terrier
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
The Rat Terrier dog breed originated in United States of
America. The Rat Terrier owes his existence to early immigrants who made their way over to America during the 19th century. Taking popular dogs of the day - the Bull Terrier, Old English White Terrier, the Manchester Terrier and other similar scrappers, they crossed them with various dog breeds, such as the Beagle, Toy Fox Terrier, Whippet and Italian Greyhounds. The results of this breeding would create a small-to-medium sized dog which a smooth coat, medium bone, and an athletic build. Fast, aggressive and with strong jaws, these early ratting dogs were more than capable at clearing out rats and other pests.
Every new cross brought something unique to the breed; the terrier blood gave the dogs an aggressive and �feisty� disposition that was needed for this kind of work, while the Beagle and Fox Terrier breeding gave the dog a better 'nose' that was needed to track his prey. With the infusion of Whippet and Italian Greyhound blood, he was granted the speed that was needed to flush out hare, rabbits and other game when taken out hunting.
The Rat Terrier is not a very well-known breed, mainly due to the fact that there was little documentation about them for many years. In fact, the Rat Terrier did not even have a breed standard until 1994 and was not even accepted into the American Kennel Club until January of 1999. While still a new breed, fans of the Rat Terrier are adamant about getting these wonderful little dogs known and respected.
The Rat Terrier is known as a very sturdily-built, compact member of the Terrier family that is moderate in both size and shape. Not too heavily muscled and yet not too fine-boned, he is a small-to-medium sized dog and is a bit more refined and polished-looking than the more widely-known Jack Russell Terrier. While he is occasionally kept with a full tail, it's preferred that this dog's tail be docked for exhibition.
Available in a wide variety of colors, the Rat Terrier can be found in most hound shades, including bi and tri-coloreds, chocolate, orange, blue, lemon, or red, and can be either pied or predominantly solid in color. While sable shading on the face or body is permitted, dark coloring on the face, otherwise known as "masks," are considered a fault, as is any rusted or washed out colorations.
The Rat Terrier is shown in two distinct size varieties; the miniature (dogs 10-13 inches) and the standard (13-19 inches). Up until the time that they are 12 months of age, both size varieties are shown together, with dogs over or under the required size limitations being disqualified from competition.
While a member of the Terrier family, the Rat Terrier is not a sparring dog and, because of this, is generally well-behaved and friendly towards other dogs. They are a faithful dog and tend to be very affectionate towards their owners, though they can be somewhat protective and have a tendency to be aloof towards strangers. While the Rat Terrier is a noisy individual, prone to yapping, mumbling and growling during play, his snarls are usually just for show.
The Rat Terrier is a very active little dog, bred for a variety of uses. Always on the go, they are very high spirited and enjoy an active lifestyle. If you�re considering one of these energetic little dogs, it's highly recommended that you have a fenced yard or are prepared to go for several energizing walks each day. Dog parks are a favorite hang-out of these little dogs and they have a great love of agility and obstacle courses.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Care and upkeep of your Rat Terrier puppy is relatively simple. Not overly heavy shedders, you will find that your Rat Terrier sheds the most in the spring and then, again, in the fall. In the meantime, a simple brushing once or twice a week will suffice, and will help to keep his coat glossy by stimulating the oils in his coat and helping to free and remove any dander. To brush him, use a soft-bristled brush and go with the grain of hair, brushing in a gentle and flicking motion. He will undoubtedly love the free back-scratching.
A Rat Terrier shouldn�t need to be bathed too often. Provided he hasn't gotten into anything messy, once or twice a month is usually a good bet. Aside from this, the only other major grooming needs that a Rat Terrier requires are keeping his nails clipped, his ears clean and, if he will let you, his teeth brushed. Should tooth-brushing be an issue, however, there are a variety of toys and treats now available, which help to reduce tartar build up and tooth decay.
The Rat Terrier is a highly intelligent and loyal breed, and one that desires to please his owner. For these reasons, he is generally very easy to train and receptive to the praises that he receives for good behavior. Obedience classes are highly recommended, if you are inexperienced with training dogs - not only does it teach your dog basic commands and obedience, but it also teaches you how better to understand your new puppy, and what methods he bests responds to. In no time, you two are sure to be teaching one another new tricks.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Like any breed of dog, the Rat Terrier is subject to several genetic health concerns. Fortunately, unlike many purebred dogs, the Rat Terrier rarely has the hip and elbow dysplasia or the eye troubles that are commonly seen in other breeds. Some conditions which may affect your Rat Terrier include:
Luxating patella
Allergies
Sensitivity to anesthesia
Demodex mange
The Rat Terrier is a very lively and affectionate little fellow. Sturdily built and athletic, they are well-suited as family dogs and make excellent pets. Some concern may be with older dogs and other pets, such as cats, but they are generally well-behaved, provided they are raised in an environment where they may be acclimated to such things. The main things that the Rat Terrier needs are someone to play with and a person to love; if they have these two essential things, they are the happiest little dogs in the world.
Now that you have decided that the Rat Terrier is the right breed
for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible
Rat Terrier breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized
puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad
breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Rat Terrier puppy
you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a
responsible Rat Terrier breeder, you may need to pay more and wait
longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it.
Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard
breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional
expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love
with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely
need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication -
or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible,
caring Rat Terrier breeder who home-raises their puppies with
love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a
health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the
Rat Terrier breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather
than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a
healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that
will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter
and companionship.
Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...
Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These
sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders
listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Rat Terrier puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many
sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for
puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear
of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the
breeders whom they allow to advertise.
We Highly Recommend:
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Choosing a name for your Rat Terrier puppy can be a daunting
task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot
of thought and research to find just the right name for your
Rat Terrier. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a
few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you
decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of
humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side?
A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Rat Terrier
puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue
about what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog
names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful
information resources, while others, unfortunately, are just
"garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in on
visitor hits for this popular subject.
We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name
for your new Rat Terrier puppy. These sites offer inventive,
unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped
thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for
their new baby!
Rat Terrier Dog Names
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Rat Terriers are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at
Rat Terrier pictures, you can usually gain more insight into
what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help
you decide if you really want to become an Rat Terrier owner.
The following sites below offer pictures of Rat Terrier dogs,
Rat Terrier puppy photos, funny Rat Terrier photos and
more. Enjoy!
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn
more about the Rat Terrier dog breed. We've compiled a list of
Rat Terrier information sites to assist you in quickly locating
quality information about the Rat Terrier dog breed, while
avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor
attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general.
If you know of an Rat Terrier information site that offers
unique, quality information and photos of the Rat Terrier
breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so
that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Rat Terrier clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn
even more about the Rat Terrier dog breed, help you locate a
responsible Rat Terrier breeder, or help you find an Rat Terrier dog or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving,
forever home. We've compiled the following list of Rat Terrier
clubs and Rat Terrier rescues web sites for your convenience:
Rat Terrier Clubs -
Rat Terrier Rescues
