Terriers include some of the most interesting and tenacious dog breeds. Some have a history of being working dogs, and others are simply companions. Two terriers that are easy to confuse with one another are the toy fox terrier and the rat terrier. That’s why we’ll take some time to compare a toy fox terrier vs a rat terrier. You’ll learn what separates them, how they can be mistaken for each other in some cases, and the purposes they serve in the world today!
Comparing a Toy Fox Terrier and a Rat Terrier
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| Toy Fox Terrier | Rat Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Weight: 4-9 pounds Height: 8-11.5 inches Length: 12-17 inches | Weight: 10-25 pounds Height: 13-18 inches Length: 19-25 inches |
| Morphology | – Tall, erect, V-shaped ears – Short and smooth coat – Somewhat muscular – Short tail | – Tall, erect, V-shaped ears – Smooth, short coat – Compact body with good musculature – Short tail or docked tail |
| Colors | – Black, white, tan, and chocolate – Typically, they are mostly white with patterns of colors | – Appear in a variety of colors with many markings and patterns – Colors include white, silver, tan, red, lemon, chocolate, sable, apricot, and many combinations of them. |
| Traits | – Very friendly towards everyone – Known for barking often unless otherwise trained – Very playful and energetic – Needs plenty of things to do | – Very active and playful – Friendly to people and loyal to family members – Barks often but can be trained – The dog is somewhat easy to train – If the dog isn’t trained or stimulated, it will wreak havoc around your home. |
| Country of Origin | – The United States – Often kept as companions – Used to hunt foxes by climbing into their dens | – The United States – Used as a pest control dog in the past and present – Sometimes used as a contraband search dog to search for illegal drugs – They are also kept as companions, but their working nature may be more prized. |
The Key Differences Between a Toy Fox Terrier vs Rat Terrier
The major differences between a toy fox terrier vs rat terrier can be found in their size and coloration.
The rat terrier is a much larger dog than the toy fox terrier, and it comes in many more colors and patterns. The rat terrier weighs between 10 and 25 pounds and stands up to 18 inches, as opposed to the toy fox terrier, which weighs between 4 and 9 pounds and only stands 11.5 inches tall.
Also, the rat terrier has many markings, patterns, and colors. They may be white, silver, tan, red, lemon, chocolate, sable, apricot, and other colors, and they can appear in various combinations. Meanwhile, the toy fox terrier can be black, white, tan, and chocolate. They are usually white as a base color with other colors as a pattern.
These are just two of the biggest differences between these animals. However, they are not the only ones. We’re going to explore the other elements that make these dogs unique.
Toy Fox Terrier vs Rat Terrier: Size
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The rat terrier is bigger than the toy fox terrier. The existence of the miniature rat terrier has complicated this view of the dog’s true size. However, the average rat terrier weighs 10 to 25 pounds, stands between 13 and 18 inches, and measures 19 to 25 inches long.
The toy fox terrier is far smaller, weighing just 4 to 9 pounds, standing 8 to 11.5 inches tall, and measuring 12 to 17 inches long.
Toy Fox Terrier vs Rat Terrier: Morphology
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The toy fox terrier and rat terrier have some similar features. They would be hard to tell apart if it wasn’t for the size disparity. The toy fox terrier and the rat terrier both have tall, erect, V-shaped ears, a short, smooth coat, and a short tail that may be docked. However, the rat terrier is more muscular than the toy fox terrier.
Toy Fox Terrier vs Rat Terrier: Colors
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The toy fox terrier usually has a white base coat that includes a black, tan, or chocolate pattern. However, the rat terrier has far more colors available in its coat. These colors include sable, lemon, white, silver, tan, chocolate, and others.
Toy Fox Terrier vs Rat Terrier: Traits
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The toy fox terrier and rat terrier are both very active and playful dogs with a lot of energy. They both need to have something to do, or they will run amok in your house. The toy fox terrier is slightly more vocal and requires training to cut down on its yapping. The rat terrier is also a barker, but they are willing to follow your lead in training to cut down on that.
Both breeds are known for being very friendly to other people, but they’ll let you know when a stranger is around. Still, as long as you welcome a stranger into your home, they’ll be friendly to them.
Toy Fox Terrier vs Rat Terrier: Country of Origin
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The toy fox terrier and the rat terrier are both from the United States. However, they have slightly different origins and uses. The toy fox terrier is mostly bred as a companion dog these days, but it was once used to help hunt foxes and perform in circuses. They were useful in getting into fox dens and flushing them out for hunters.
The rat terrier is almost equally popular as a modern working dog and a companion dog. As their name suggests, they are used for controlling rodent populations. They’re very effective at catching and killing rats. These dogs are also used to help detect illegal drugs and other contraband. Of course, they’re also kept as companions because of their loyal, loving nature and high energy.
All in all, the toy fox terrier and rat terrier are dogs that look and act similarly, so you have to delve into the small details to find differences between them. With the information we’ve provided, you should be able to differentiate these two dogs.
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Sources
- The American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/rat-terrier/
- Partners and Paws Veterinary Services (1970)
- The American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/toy-fox-terrier/
