Rat Terrier Dog: Personality, Temperament, Training, and Care

What Is a Rat Terrier Dog Breed

The Rat Terrier, an American dog breed, was once used as a farm dog and a hunting companion. Any type of pied patterning may appear on his short, silky coat. The Rat Terrier is an outgoing and sentimental dog.

They don’t want to miss anything exciting and are intelligent, active and fun-loving. To prevent mischief, this dog needs a lot of training and exercise, as well as a house that has been dog-proofed. They adore their family, but they require time to get used to new people.

Rat Terrier Dog History

The Rat Terrier breed derives its name from the occupation of its early relatives, who were working-class British immigrants to the US. When introduced, they were used as rat-baiting dogs.

The rat terrier was widely used on American fields, but as farmers started employing poisons to manage insects and pests in the 1940s and 1950s, the breed’s population started to drop. Up until the 1970s, when they gained popularity again, a tiny handful of breeders kept the breed alive.

The Decker Rat Terrier and the Hairless Rat Terrier are two other varieties of the breed that were created at this time. The Decker Rat Terrier is a little larger dog that specializes at hunting and retrieving from the water, while the Hairless Rat Terrier is a small, hairless you that is available in miniature and regular sizes.

Different Names or Types

Rat Terrier Dog Other names

American Rat Terrier
Decker Giant
Ratting Terrier

Recognized Names

Recognitions

AKC: American Kennel Club
UKC: United Kennel Club

Appearance & Characteristics

They come in small- to medium-sized sizes. The Rat Terrier has a short, lustrous coat that is dense and single, and it has a wide range of colors. Although chocolate, tan, blue, Isabella, lemon, and apricot are all extremely popular, the traditional hue is a black tan point with piebald spots.

They feature a muscular neck, deep chest, strong shoulders, and legs. The breed’s wide, tilted ears emphasize their clever, inquisitive character, and their dark eyes are bright and alert. They have large, prominent ears relative to their size. These terriers’ tails are typically docked.

They have a good build that is neither too bony nor overly obese. They are quick runners thanks to their light bodies and strong, smooth-muscled legs. The miniature rat terrier is still a hunting dog, although it has gained popularity as a companion and house pet.

Breed Basic Characteristics

Country of origin: U.S.A
Breed Group: Terrier Group
Life span: 15-18 years
Size: Small
Height: 10-18 inch
Weight: 10-25pound
Coat: Short
Type: Purebred
Shedding: Seasonal
Colors: White, Black & White, Tri-color, White & Chocolate, Fawn & White, Blue & White
Also as known: RT, Rat, Rattie, Decker Giant
Good with children: Yes
Personality traits: Friendly playful, Energetic
Good with pets: Yes
Barking: Quiet
Competitive registration: AKC, UKC
Eyes: Their oval-shaped eyes are spaced widely apart.
Ears: They have comparatively large, conspicuous ears for their stature.
Body: Compact And Muscular Bodies

Coat

The coat of rat terriers is short, smooth, and somewhat wavy along their backs. Their coat is available in a variety of hues. The Rat Terrier has a short, silky coat that is covered in dense, lustrous fur. The Rat Terrier requires very little upkeep in terms of grooming.

Color and Markings

Common coat colors for this Breed include.

Chocolate
Tan
Apricot
Lemon
Blue
Isabella

Coat Color and Markings

They are available in many different hues. The Rat Terrier never comes in just one color. They have a coat that combines the colors white, black, tan, orange, and brown. Their coat appears to be pied. It indicates that in addition to white, they have huge colored patches on their bodies.

Personality and Temperament

Personality of Rat Terrier Dog

These little dogs often get along well with people, other animals, and children. Rat terrier are enormous personalities in small packages. They are more suited to puzzle games and other activities that will provide hours of entertainment since they are inquisitive and extremely intelligent.

Physicality, however, develops when they are given a duty. Rat terriers have arrived in Shan to serve as household pets and working dogs since they are equally adept at both. As good watchdogs, rat terriers will bark even in the absence of an approaching person or animal.

Temperament of Rat Terrier Dog

The rat terrier is a lively, active dog that enjoys playing with both people and other dogs. They are innately very sociable canines who cling to their owners with ease.

These smart small dogs are typical of the terrier breeds. They learn activities fast and adapt well to training, but they also have a tendency to be stubborn. Rat terriers are tiny and quick enough to sneak into areas they shouldn’t, and they are intelligent enough to devise methods to cause mischief.

Activity Requirements

The rat terrier has a high level of activity and demands a lot of exercise because it was designed to be a working and hunting dog. Most Rat Terriers will flourish with regular walks and some tennis-ball chasing and other play in a gated enclosure, however some can obtain enough exercise for their requirements through indoor activity.

Rat Terrier should get at least 40 minutes of exercise every day. Early socialization is a must, and puppy training classes are recommended.

Trainability

Rat Terriers are highly trainable and intelligent, although some individuals can be stubborn and headstrong. When bored or unstimulated, this breed can become violent. They can thrive in various dog sports including agility, obedience, rally. Yet it is necessary for socialization and appropriate behavior.

They have an exceptionally high level of sensitivity and intuition, love to please their owners and thrive when praised. They also respond well to positive training techniques. Most people are kind and patient with children, but wary of strangers.

They are one of the quietest terrier breeds, but they are still very active dogs who need frequent walks, exercise and lots of company. They perform best despite being part of the human family.

Health & Problems

Rat terriers are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds they can develop some health problems. Breeders that are responsible check their animals for diseases such hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and eye and heart problems.

The following are some health issues that rat terriers frequently experience.

Incorrect bites: An improper or misaligned bite may be the consequence of a somewhat malformed jaw bone. An overshot bite, an undershot bite, and a wry mouth, or twisting of the mouth, are the three forms of improper bites that are all observed in rat terriers.

Demodectic mange: This disease, brought on by demodex mites, can harm rat terriers with compromised immune systems.

Allergies: All breeds of dogs are susceptible to developing food, contact, or airborne allergies.

Feeding Plan

A high-quality dog food, whether prepared professionally or at home under the guidance of a veterinarian, should be able to support the health and well-being of the Rat Terrier. An age-appropriate diet should be followed for dogs. Monitoring a dog’s weight and caloric intake is important because some dogs are prone to weight gain.

They need to be fed four times a day until the pup is 12 weeks old. Between three and six months, you can feed the puppy three times a day. Most rat terriers need about 1 cup of food per day, but that depends on their metabolism and how much exercise they get.

Always get high quality dog food with high fiber and protein content. Avoid overfeeding the dog as this can lead to obesity, which is a major factor in heart disease in dogs.

Living conditions

The rat terrier type makes an excellent rural dog, true to its heritage. They are intelligent enough to avoid horses and other animals out of instinct, enjoy hanging around with people as they perform chores, and, true to their ancestry, are zealous in their efforts to clear properties of pests like rats.

They also function amazingly well in family situations and are tiny and compact enough to fit comfortably in flats thanks in large part to their intelligence and great love of human interaction. They are suitable for senior people and urban environments since they may be done home.

How to take care of Rat Terrier Dog?

They require high maintenance when it comes to training and activity. Rat terriers are minimal maintenance when it comes to grooming. It’s no surprise that this working dog is so energetic and demands daily exercise.

Making this dog a great choice for families with busy children. Providing them with a separate digging area in the backyard is important because rat terriers also have a tendency to dig.

Grooming & Brushing

The compact, short coat of the Rat Terrier requires little maintenance. Although they shed throughout the year, they shed more frequently in the spring and fall because they are considered seasonal shedders.

To keep their coats shiny and healthy, they need to be brushed once a week with a curry brush or rubber mat. They require annual professional dental cleanings as well as healthy daily brushing as recommended by a veterinarian.

A Rat Terrier’s nails should be trimmed at appropriate times. Additionally, it is advisable to check and clean the Rat Terrier’s ears once a week as excess wax and debris can lead to illnesses.

Also Read: Poodle Dog Breed

Feed Healthy food

A specific diet recommended for rat terriers and a small kibble of small breed dog food may be beneficial. Rat terrier puppies need to be fed an optimal diet to help them grow during their first year of life.

The particular small dog mix offers a comprehensive nutritional profile with calcium, glucosamine, chondroitin, and EPA from fish oil to improve cartilage for difficult joints. For optimal health from head to toe, there are many vitamins and minerals available, including vitamins A, E, D3, B12, and amino acids.

The following items should never be feed to Rat Terrier Dog

Chocolate, coffee, or tea
Grapes or raisins
Onions, chives, and garlic
Salt & salty foods
Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
Yeast dough
Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
Poultry bones
Tomato leaves stem or unripe fruit

Puppy information

Rat Terrier Dog Training

Rat terrier puppies are adorable, active and ready to please. Intelligent dogs like Rat Terriers will be easy to train. However, their high level of intelligence can make training easier. Teach the puppy to sit, stay and even call you by name and sleep.

When potty training a rat terrier, use positive reinforcement. It is important to instruct them in manners, sociability and obedience.

Behavioral training

Training their behavior is crucial for Rat Terrier puppies, just like for any other dog. For dog care, this instruction is very beneficial. If you want to teach puppy behavior quickly, start by identifying some common problems, such as breaking, aggression, food security, crying, mouthing and chewing, separation anxiety, etc.

Obedience training

The Rat Terrier can register goods by following simple obedience commands. Helps with grooming and helps with certain behavioral problems. Rat terrier dogs that have received obedience training are better able to demonstrate their social skills and can perform well in dog sports such as obedience and rallying.

Socialization

It’s important to socialize a young Rat Terrier. The first few weeks of a puppy’s existence are extremely important in terms of growth. The owner must be consistent and patient with their developing dog. Along with the puppy’s behavior and personality traits, you may encourage the development of his social skills.

Taking the puppy to other homes, giving him new toys, exposing him to various sounds, and offering him various tasks are all examples of socialization problems.

Rat Terrier Dog Puppies for sale

They are a loving, intelligent and energetic dog breed. They make excellent farm dogs and reliable hunting partners. An average Rat Terrier puppy will cost $700. Most pups cost between $500 and $1,500.

Things to Consider adopting a Rat Terrier Dog

They are great dogs for families with children as they are playful, friendly and get along well with other animals.
They can be challenging to housebreak, but they can be trained to do so consistently and patiently.
Rat Terriers have a tendency to be independent and may not always obey orders.
They are adept at keeping order, so rat terriers are a wonderful choice for homes with large yards.
Rat terriers are good guard dogs but require plenty of exercise.

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Rat Terrier Dog Breed