Rat Terrier: temperament, size, care and health

About the Rat Terrier

The Rat Terrier is a small to medium American terrier with a clean, muscular, athletic outline. It comes in two AKC sizes, miniature and standard, and heights run from about 10 to 18 inches. The coat is short and glossy, usually with white as the base color and patches of black, tan, chocolate, or other shades.

The breed was developed on farms as an all-around rodent hunter and was also used for small game. Modern Rat Terriers keep that alertness and fast reflexes, and they are chosen for their trainability, their moderate size, and their easy-care coat.

Temperament and family life

Rat Terriers are social dogs that want to be near their people. They are usually good with children if raised with them, and they tend to be playful rather than aloof. They want to be included, and a lonely Rat Terrier may bark or chew when left behind.

Strangers are met politely, though the breed will alert the household to visitors. Most get along with other dogs, particularly when socialized early. Their chasing instinct is strong, so squirrels, rabbits, and small pets may be pursued. They are better as part of a household than as backyard dogs.

Exercise and training

A Rat Terrier needs daily vigorous exercise, such as fast walks, fetch, and play. Agility, flyball, lure coursing, and earthdog trials are popular outlets. Without enough work the dog tends to dig, bark, and invent chasing games with household objects.

The breed generally ranks above most terriers for trainability, since it is eager and quick to learn tricks. Reward-based methods work best, and sessions should be short and varied. Recall may be unreliable around wildlife, so fences matter. Young dogs are active and can be mischievous until about two years old.

Grooming and shedding

The short coat takes very little effort: a weekly brushing with a rubber curry or soft brush removes dead hair. The breed does shed, more than people expect, with extra loss in spring and fall. The hair is fine and can work its way into fabric.

Bathe when dirty. Trim nails, brush teeth regularly because small dogs build tartar, and check the ears. The thin coat offers little insulation, so a sweater helps in cold weather.

Health

Rat Terriers are generally long-lived, and breeders report that many reach their mid-teens. Known problems include slipping kneecaps, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease of the hip, heart murmurs, skin allergies, and tooth disease. Some individuals show a skin sensitivity to insect bites or cleaners. Responsible breeders check knees, hips, hearts, and eyes before breeding.

This is general information; for any particular Rat Terrier, a veterinarian is the person to ask.

History

The breed is generally traced to farms in the United States in the early twentieth century, where immigrant farmers combined small terriers from Britain with other breeds such as the Manchester Terrier, the Whippet, and the Italian Greyhound to produce a fast ratter. The breed was widely used as a farm dog for decades. The AKC recognized it in 2010, and hairless and other offshoots have since been developed into separate breeds.

Is the Rat Terrier right for you?

A Rat Terrier suits active people who want a smart, compact dog that learns quickly and does not need much grooming. It adapts to a house or an apartment if exercised properly. It is a poor choice for homes with pet rodents or for owners who are away most of the day.

The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a close relative with a similar look. The Russell Terrier offers comparable energy with a rougher personality, while the Toy Fox Terrier is smaller.