Rat Terrier

Easy to Train

5 stars review

Good with kids

5 stars review

Energy

4 stars review

Heat tolerance

3 stars review

Cold tolerance

1 stars review

Watchdog

5 stars review

Shedding

3 stars review

Rat Terrier Personality traits and Temperament

They are a calm, cheerful and sensitive breed of dogs. They are smart and active and always will be around to entertain the owners. They are always in the thick of the action and would like to involve in everything that happens around the house. They are very clingy and when they feel that they are not getting the attention they deserve, they can create a lot of ruckus. They are prone to separation anxiety and do have a destructive streak. So these dogs should never be left alone at the house.

They are a very high energy breed and needs plenty of training and exercise. They take great pleasure in digging, barking and investigating. Ensure that you are with him in the yard rather than letting him enjoy it at his solitary leisure. They should wear a collar and tag at all times. When taken for a walk always use a strong leash as these dogs are very fast and it is difficult to catch them once they are off.

They are very patient around children and make wonderful playmates for them. They are so fond of children that it is almost difficult to separate these dogs from the kids. They are also very social with other dogs. They also do well around cats.

They are very suspicious and alert dogs and make excellent watchdogs. They are not yappy dogs and bark only for a reason. They also do not socialise much with visitors and will need a lot of time to warm upto them.

Grooming, Haircuts and Shedding

They have short, easy-care coats. Brush them weekly or more often with a soft bristle brush or rubber curry brush. They are moderate shedders and shedding is heavier in the spring and fall, as well as after whelping or heat cycles. Bathe him only as needed.
Trim the nails as needed, usually every week or two. Small dogs are prone to periodontal disease so brush the teeth frequently

Size and Characteristics

Price Range: this dog for sale may cost between $200 – $500

Life expectancy: the life span is generally of about 15-18 YEARS

Weight: 10–25 pounds

Height: 10–18 inches

Colors: Black, tan, chocolate, blue, pearl, lemon and apricot. They may be tri-colour or bi-colour, with at least one colour being white.

How to Train this dog

Routine and structure are important to Rat Terriers. This is not a dog who likes change. Train a Rat Terrier with patience and positive reinforcement; praise and treats are the way to win his heart. He’s very smart and will learn quickly. Keep training sessions fun and interesting. Activities in which he’ll excel include agility, flyball, rally, and tracking, as well as being a therapy dog. They need to undergo a lot of socialization which can help further improve their behaviour.

Health Issues and Food

Diet: High quality dry food is recommended for these breeds.

Allergies: Allergies are a common ailment in Rat Terriers. There are three main types of allergies: food allergies, contact allergies, and inhalant allergies.

Health problems: The common disease conditions in rat terriers are malocclusions, patellar luxation, demodectic mange, etc.

Mixed breeds

Rat-Cha is a cross between the Chihuahua and the Rat Terrier. The Rat-Cha would be a good fit for owners looking for dogs who are affectionate, alert, lively, loving, loyal, and protective.

Jack-Rat Terrier is a cross between the Jack Russell and the Rat Terrier. Jack Rat Terriers are brilliant pest control canines and the excellent hunting dogs. They can be good working dogs.

Puggat is a cross between the Pug and the Rat Terrier. They are loving dogs who usually do great with children and would make a great family dog. They are highly recommended for family or active single person as they like to be involved and need human interaction.

Best female and male dog names

You can name your Rat Terrier as Buster or Teddy if he is a male and Angel or Crystal if she is a female.

How to adopt this dog

You can also browse a specific site to adopt a Rat Terrier

Pictures and Videos

 Rat Terrier puppy


Photo Credits: tiarescott, Klermon