Rat Terrier

Rat terriers are brilliant dogs, but they can be very stubborn. This breed was first developed by early American farmers who wanted a dog that could kill rodents, and they are very talented at burrowing and digging. The standard rat terrier stands between 13 and 18 inches tall. This dog is vigilant, and it will often alert its owners to unusual happenings. The coat of the rat terrier is most often bi- or tri-colored, though solid white is also possible according to breed standards.

A loyal rat terrier is a serious dog that will want to be with you constantly. They are a happy breed that would love to be a trusted member of your family.

Origin Of The Rat Terrier

Once one of the most common farm dogs of the early 20th Century, the rat terrier was bred to specifically eliminate animals that were destructive to farms, like rabbits and rats. The rat terrier was developed in the United States in the early 20th century using at least seven breeds: the now-extinct Old English White Terrier, the Beagle, Manchester Terrier, Bull Terrier, Italian Greyhound, Smooth Fox Terrier, and the Whippet. It is believed that their name came from Teddy Roosevelt.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning A Rat Terrier

Size And Weight

Standard rat terriers stand between 13 and 18 inches tall at the shoulder. The dog should be slightly longer than it is tall, and it should have long legs. The dog typically weighs between 12 and 35 lbs. There is little difference between the size of a dog and a bitch. Puppies are usually born in litters of five to seven pups. These pups may take up to 15 months to mature mentally and 24 months to gain their total weight and height.

According to the American Kennel Club, there are two official sizes of rat terriers. The standard rat terrier must be at least 13 inches tall, while the mini is shorter. Unofficially, there are also toy rat terriers that grow to be about 8 inches tall. Only the mini and the full-size are officially recognized in shows, but the toy can make an interesting pet.

Common Health Issues

Rat terriers are usually healthy dogs, but there are some common health issues that you may want to prepare for if you add one to your family. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball of the hip no longer fits properly in the socket. It can affect older rat terriers’ quality of life as they have a hard time getting around. Another issue that may occur is patellar luxation, which means that the kneecap becomes loose. Additionally, rat terriers can have Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, where the blood does not circulate properly to the hip joint, and the bone dies. Remember that getting a mixed-breed animal, like those crossed with mini breeds, can add additional health problems.

Temperament And Behavior

Rat terriers are intelligent dogs who love to learn new tricks. This breed loves to please its owner. You can use this trait to your advantage when training them. Start reinforcing the behavior you want to see early, and you will end up with a dog with a well-mannered personality that everyone will love to be around.

Another personality trait that you will notice in this breed is that they are exceptionally watchful and loyal. They take their jobs of keeping dangers away very seriously. This can sometimes lead to nervous behavior. Therefore, they may not make the best dogs for families with young children unless you are willing to supervise them and introduce the child to the dog properly.

Rat terriers are independent dogs. Once they decide that they want to do something, almost nothing can stand in their way. Be sure to spend time giving your rat terrier things to keep them occupied, or you may notice destructive behaviors. Overcome your dog’s stubbornness trait by being firm in your training so that the dog knows who is in charge. Use their independent personality to train them for a task that they need to complete each day.

How To Take Care Of Rat Terriers

You need to take care of your rat terrier pet mentally and physically. You must give your pet the correct type of diet. Rat terrier puppies need a different diet than older dogs. It is also vital that you train them and exercise them regularly. Proper care often lengthens their lifespan. Regular brushing helps stop them from shedding all over your home.

The Best Dog Food

Puppy food: Since rat terriers tend to have bone issues, you must feed a puppy food that is high in calcium, as it is the building block of strong bones. Until your rat terrier pup is 12 weeks old, they need to be fed four times a day. Between three and six months, you can feed the puppy three meals a day. Then, cut back to two meals a day if the puppy is growing properly.

Adult food: Rat terriers tend to get obese quickly. Feeding your dog twice a day can help keep them at the proper weight. Most rat terriers need about 1 cup of food daily, but it depends on their metabolism and the amount of exercise they get. You should be able to see where their waist is and feel, but not see their ribs.

Maintenance And Grooming

Rat terriers shed lightly throughout the year, and you will notice more shedding in the spring and fall. Use a soft brush or a rubber grooming mitt to brush the dog weekly. When your rat terrier has been digging, be sure to give him a bath using a gentle dog shampoo. Plan on trimming his nails about once a month.

Training

Rat terriers love to please their owners, but they can be a little stubborn. Positive reinforcement usually works well with them. Start as soon as possible to socialize your rat terrier as they can be shy around strangers.

Exercise

Rat terriers need 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise. They have a powerful prey drive, so be sure to choose where you let them off-leash carefully. Take them for a daily walk and enjoy their companionship. This breed can be trained for a variety of competitions, including agility training.

Puppies

You must socialize your rat terrier puppy early. Their prey instinct means that they see other small animals as prey to be caught without proper training. They often take their job as a watchdog seriously, so they can also see strangers as something to worry about without proper early training. Breeders and rescues are often good sources of advice.

Rat Terriers And Children

Rat terriers can form a strong bond with children who have been appropriately introduced and are supervised. These dogs have a no-nonsense temperament, which may not make them the best dogs for families with young children. Once the child is old enough to understand how to treat the dog properly, you will likely discover that they quickly become best buddies. Deciding on a mini rat terrier may mean it is easier for a young child to hurt the dog. This is also true of rat terriers mixed with a smaller breed, so be sure to talk to breeders about your family situation.

Dogs Similar To Rat Terriers

Several dog breeds are similar to the rat terrier, including:

• Fox terriers: Ranging from about the same size to a little smaller, these dogs share the rat terrier’s intelligence and alertness. Often, the price of a purebred fox terrier is higher than that of a rat terrier.
• American Staffordshire terrier: This stockier dog shares the rat terrier’s intelligence while being friendlier to children. The price of owning these dogs is usually higher because they need more feed.
• Cairn terrier: The Cairn terrier loves to dig like the rat terrier, and it is usually active and happy. The price of owning this breed is usually higher because they need more grooming.

Famous Rat Terriers

There have been several famous rat terriers throughout history, including:

• Harper Lee mentions a rat terrier in To Kill a Mockingbird.
• Eleanor Powell trained a rat terrier she named Buttons to tap dance for the movie Lady Be Good.
• Shirley MacLaine wrote a book called Out on a Leash about her rat terrier.
• William Faulkner owned several rat terriers and often wrote about them.
• Shirley Temple is seen putting a rat terrier to bed in The Little Colonel.