Online Guide to the Rat Terrier Dog Breed

Common Misspellings: Rat Terrior, Rat Terror

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.

Rat Terrier Dog Breed

Rat Terrier Size Variations: Miniature and Standard
Rat Terrier Colors: colors
Rat Terrier Exercise Needs: Moderate
Rat Terrier Grooming Needs: Minimal
Rat Terrier Life Expectancy (Lifespan) :11-13 years
Are Rat Terrier Dogs Good With Children?: Yes
Rat Terrier Training: Easy

Rat Terrier History

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.

Rat Terrier Appearance

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.

Rat Terrier Temperament & Personality

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.

Rat Terrier Exercise Needs

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.

Rat Terrier Grooming Requirements

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.

Rat Terrier Training

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.

Rat Terrier Health Information

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

Finding A Responsible Rat Terrier Breeder

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.

Additional Rat Terrier Information Resources

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.