Rat Terrier: The Mighty Mouse of the Dog World
An In-Depth Look at This Plucky, Playful Breed
Rat Terriers may be small in stature, but don‘t underestimate these compact canines – they pack tons of personality, energy and intelligence into a portable package. I‘ve been smitten with Rat Terriers for over 20 years, and I‘m excited to share my passion for these amazing little dogs with you.
Whether you‘re considering adding a Rat Terrier to your family or you‘re already a proud owner looking to deepen your understanding of your pet, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to appreciate the "Mighty Mouse of the Dog World" to the fullest.
From Farm Dog to Household Companion: The Rat Terrier‘s Rich History
The story of the Rat Terrier is truly the story of the American farm dog. These tenacious terriers first emerged in the 1800s and early 1900s as invaluable working companions, bred to control vermin and hunt small game to support their farming families.
As Cheryl Gerzabek explains in her book "The Rat Terrier": "The early Rat Terrier was a tough, no-nonsense dog bred to work hard and expected to be an efficient killing machine when it came to ridding the barn, outbuildings and fields of destructive vermin." These fearless little dogs saved farmers untold amounts of precious grain from hungry rats and other pests.
But Rat Terriers weren‘t only prized for their hunting prowess – they also endeared themselves to families with their loyal, affectionate nature and eagerness to please. Farmers carefully selected the best ratters and most personable pups to create an all-purpose farm dog that could dispatch varmints by day and cozy up with the kids by night.
President Teddy Roosevelt was one of the Rat Terrier‘s most famous early fans, and he is credited with giving the breed its catchy name around 1900. The Rat Terrier remained a fixture in rural American life in the early 20th century, but the breed faced a dramatic decline by the 1950s as the number of family farms dwindled.
Thankfully, a handful of dedicated breeders recognized the Rat Terrier‘s unique value and worked hard to save the breed from extinction. Committed enthusiasts formed the Rat Terrier Club of America in 1976 and achieved United Kennel Club recognition for the breed in 1999. The resilient Rat Terrier has been growing in popularity as a family pet ever since, currently ranking 97th out of 195 breeds in AKC registrations.
The Rat Terrier Temperament: Clever, Charismatic, and Always in Motion
Living with a Rat Terrier is never dull! These bright, curious, active dogs keep their owners on their toes with their zest for life and their eagerness to be involved in everything you do. Let‘s take a closer look at some of the key traits that define the captivating Rat Terrier personality.
Energetic and Athletic
Don‘t let their compact size fool you – Rat Terriers are high-energy dogs who require plenty of daily activity to stay happy and healthy. Bred to work tirelessly on the farm, they have impressive stamina and speed for their stature.
Expect to provide your Rat Terrier at least an hour of vigorous exercise each day, such as brisk walks, jogging, hiking, swimming, and extended play sessions. Having a safely fenced yard for your Rat Terrier to race around is great, but shouldn‘t replace focused exercise and interaction with you.
Rat Terriers especially excel at dog sports that allow them to show off their speed, agility, and eagerness to work with their handler. Many enjoy great success in sports like obstacle course racing, flyball, disc dog, and barn hunt trials. Participating in sports is a fantastic way to channel their energy and deepen your bond.
Clever and Highly Trainable
In addition to being athletic, Rat Terriers are whip-smart cookies who typically pick up new commands with impressive speed. They thrive on positive training and respond enthusiastically to reward-based methods like clicker training.
In fact, a 2009 study published in the journal Animal Cognition found that Rat Terriers were among the top 20 smartest dog breeds when tested on their ability to learn and remember new commands. They scored better than popular brainy breeds like Poodles and Papillons!
Coupled with their deep desire to please their owners, most Rat Terriers are highly trainable and well-suited for advanced obedience, trick training, therapy work, and more. But like many clever terriers, they can also quickly learn bad habits without guidance. It‘s important to focus their intelligence on good manners and wanted behaviors starting early.
Some Rat Terriers can have an independent (okay, stubborn) streak, so it‘s important to keep training sessions upbeat and rewarding. Harsh corrections will cause them to shut down. Aim for short, frequent training sessions that end on a positive note rather than drilling your Rat Terrier to the point of boredom.
Watchful and Protective
One of the Rat Terrier‘s most valued qualities as a farm dog was their alert, watchful nature. These observant dogs were quick to sound the alarm at any strange sounds or intruders, making them excellent pint-sized watchdogs.
Today‘s Rat Terriers retain that keen awareness of their surroundings and will bark enthusiastically to let you know if anything is amiss. While their alert barking is great for dedicated owners, it can become a nuisance for neighbors if not controlled. Teaching your Rat Terrier a "Quiet" command is a must.
Some Rat Terriers are naturally more suspicious of strangers than others, and extensive socialization is important to prevent them from becoming fearful or reactive. Exposing your Rat Terrier to lots of new people and situations in a positive way will help them gain confidence and learn to discriminate between real threats and normal happenings.
With their families, Rat Terriers are known for forming deep, devoted bonds and being very affectionate and cuddly. They may be aloof with unfamiliar people, but their hearts belong entirely to their beloved humans.
Tenacious and Prey-Driven
One of the most important things to know about Rat Terriers is that they are true terriers through and through, with all the determination, grit, and prey drive that goes along with it. A Rat Terrier who spots a squirrel or mouse is a Rat Terrier on a mission!
While their dedication to dispatching small furry creatures served them well on the farm, it can lead to issues in a household setting, especially if you have other small pets like hamsters, gerbils, etc. Even the most well-trained Rat Terrier can‘t be expected to resist their instinct to chase.
It‘s critical to always keep your Rat Terrier securely leashed on walks to prevent them from taking off after a rabbit or neighbor‘s cat. They are also notorious diggers who will eagerly tunnel under fences in pursuit of prey, so it‘s important to reinforce your barriers or always supervise your Rat Terrier in the yard.
Of course, you can channel your Rat Terrier‘s natural prey drive in fun, safe ways with backyard sprinkler chasing, flirt pole play, and stuffed mouse toys. Some even compete in Barn Hunt trials where the goal is to locate a secure tube containing a live rat (never harmed) hidden in a maze of straw bales. Now that‘s putting instinct to work!
Caring for Your Rat Terrier: Health, Grooming and More
Rat Terriers are generally healthy, low-maintenance dogs when given proper care, but it‘s still important to be aware of their unique needs and potential health concerns. Let‘s look at how to help your Rat Terrier thrive.
Health and Lifespan
The Rat Terrier is blessed with a robust constitution and an exceptional lifespan for a purebred dog of their size. According to a health survey by the Rat Terrier Club of America, the average lifespan is an impressive 15-17 years, with some living well into their late teens and even early 20s!
Like many small breeds, Rat Terriers can be prone to dental disease, luxating patellas, and Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (a hip condition). Responsible breeders screen their dogs for hereditary heart and eye issues as well. Overall cancer rates are very low compared to many breeds.
Obesity is one of the biggest health dangers for Rat Terriers, who are chow hounds with huge appetites for their size. Keeping your Rat Terrier lean and fit with portion control and plenty of exercise is key to protecting their joints and organs into old age.
Grooming Needs
The Rat Terrier‘s sleek, short coat is a breeze to maintain, requiring only weekly brushing and occasional baths to stay looking sharp. They are average shedders and may shed more heavily seasonally.
Other essential grooming includes regular nail trims every few weeks, ear cleaning with a vet-approved solution, and daily tooth brushing. Starting these routines early in puppyhood will help your Rat Terrier enjoy grooming rituals and see them as a chance to bond with you.
Embarking on Training and Activities With Your Rat Terrier
Training and engaging in fun activities together is key to helping your clever, active Rat Terrier become a well-mannered family member. As we‘ve seen, these dynamos need ample mental stimulation and a job to do to stay happy.
Obedience training is a great place to start, whether you take a class or train on your own with the help of books and videos. Focus on positive methods that get your Rat Terrier excited to learn – clicker training is a great fit for Rat Terriers.
Once your Rat Terrier has mastered the basics, the sky‘s the limit in terms of activities and sports you can explore together. Rat Terriers often shine in sports that highlight their speed, athleticism, and love of working closely with their handler, such as:
- Agility
- Flyball and disc dog
- Trick training
- Barn hunt
- Lure coursing
- Scent work and nose work games
Don‘t worry if competition isn‘t your style – you can still incorporate lots of fun training and play at home. Teaching your Rat Terrier a new trick each week, playing hide and seek with treats, or setting up a living room obstacle course are just a few ways to challenge their agile body and mind.
The key is to match your Rat Terrier‘s boundless enthusiasm and see training as an ever-evolving, exciting way to build your bond. With your loving guidance and leadership, your Rat Terrier will amaze you as they tackle new skills with verve.
Finding Your Rat Terrier Partner
Think the marvelous Rat Terrier could be your perfect pint-sized companion? You‘ll need to decide whether a puppy or adult is the best fit for your lifestyle before beginning your search.
Puppies are hard to resist, but they are also extremely energetic, destructive, and demanding for the first year of life. You‘ll need lots of time and patience to survive the crazy puppy phase! An adult Rat Terrier with some training under their belt may be a better choice if you work long hours or prefer a calmer canine.
When looking for a Rat Terrier breeder, it‘s crucial to do your research to avoid supporting puppy mills or other unethical breeding practices. The Rat Terrier Club of America is a great place to start – they maintain a breeder directory and also have a rescue network for adoptable Ratties.
Responsible breeders will perform health tests on their dogs before breeding as recommended by the RTCA, provide a written contract and health guarantee for their puppies, and insist on meeting you in person to ensure their pups are going to loving, prepared homes.
Expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $2500 for a quality Rat Terrier puppy depending on your location and the breeder‘s reputation. Avoid breeders offering "rare" coat colors at exorbitant prices.
If you opt to adopt, be prepared to undergo an application process including a home visit. Let your chosen rescue group know about your lifestyle and what you‘re looking for in a Rat Terrier so they can match you with the right dog. You may need to drive a few hours to meet adoptable Ratties, but it will be well worth the trip!
Conclusion
From their humble beginnings as all-purpose farm dogs to their modern lives as beloved companions, Rat Terriers have captured hearts with their outsized personalities, keen intelligence, and irresistible zest for life. For active owners who appreciate the true terrier temperament, the Rat Terrier is hard to beat.
While caring for a Rat Terrier takes time and dedication, the reward is an amazingly affectionate, entertaining, and devoted friend to share all sorts of adventures with. No matter what the day brings, you can count on your Rat Terrier to tackle it with gusto right by your side.
As the old farm adage goes, "Dynamite comes in small packages." And when it comes to the mighty but mini Rat Terrier, it couldn‘t be more true! Is the plucky Rat Terrier your perfect match?
