Each Rat Terrier is going to have their own temperament, but they generally can do well living with both cats and other dogs as long as they have been properly socialized from a young age. Rat terriers are very intelligent and like to dig, so if they have access to a yard, it needs secure fencing to keep them from escaping. If you dont get their daily walk or run in, these pups can get destructive and turn to chewing shoes or barking when bored. While a bored Rat Terrier might become a bit yappy, this is not a breed that barks much without reason. 2. "If compared to a human, a rat terrier would be like the child at a birthday party who is the first to join a fun game, shout in excitement, and eager to open the presents," says Stacy Choczynski Johnson, DVM, veterinary expert for Pumpkin Pet Insurance. Our dogs are bred for health, temperament, and intelligence. They may be tricolor or bicolor, always with some amount of white present. If you feel that its excessive, there are options to help you reduce your dogs barking. In the 1920s, toy fox terriers that were too large for their breeding programs were bred with rat terriers, resulting in toy-sized, or miniature, rat terriers. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. If you notice your dog gaining unnecessary weight, consult your veterinarian. These dog training tips will help you get started. They give 100 percent whether theyre hunting vermin, running agility or having a training session. Dental treats are fine in moderation, but shouldn't be the only method of dental care. As members of the terrier group, Rat Terriers can have a propensity to dig, particularly if they arent receiving enough attention. Some health problems that are commonly seen in rat terriers include: If you're worried about your rat terrier's health, talk to your vet about simple ways you can help him live a long, happy, healthy life. As long as your dog is properly socialized (aka introduced to different people and environments) from a young age, theyll be a great companion for all the family, and a friend to anyone they meet. 30+ year Rat Terrier bloodline. Got a lot of love to go around? If your rat terrier becomes distracted or you feel your training methods aren't working, try another technique. The Rat Terrier comes in a variety of coat colors. History. Rat terriers are muscular and have a robust, sleek appearance despite their small stature. Sometimes known as a rattie, this breed has a muscular, compact, and well-proportioned body with perky ears and an alert face that's always ready for action. Fast, nimble hunters, they excel at agility competitions and love to run. So people on your floor will very quickly be able to tell which dog is yours. We raise minis and standards. Black, tan, chocolate, blue, grey Isabella (pearl), lemon and apricot. Like all dogs, rat terriers need regular veterinary care. There's no guarantee your rat terrier willor won'tdevelop these conditions, but it's important to know the signs and symptoms should they arise in your dog. Theyll go where you go; theyll love who you love (mostly). If its raining or snowing out, all is not lost! He enjoys being outside, going for walks and taking baths.He is very active and loves being around people.Duke also loves to chase squirrels in his free time.. Zipper, Rat Terrier / Mountain Feist"All Zipper's life he has loved to chase rocks; he brings you a rock and . As usual among working breeds, points of departure are which dog type best represents the breed and whether the dog's working qualities will be sacrificed to selection for conformation show competition. Rat Terrier organizations exhibit the typical disputes over the course of action to be taken for the promotion and preservation of the breed. With their tiny bodies, high prey drive, and digging expertise, rat terriers are true escape artists. The Rat Terrier started to become their own breed when they rose in popularity on family farms throughout the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Like many smaller breeds, rat terriers can become destructive when they're bored. And yes, treats count as calories! They are good with kids, cats and other dogs as long as they're well socialized as puppies. Colors: black tri, chocolate tri, blue tri, apricot, and pearls. The first Rat Terrier to earn a title under AKC Sanctioning was in Agility on January 14, 2006 in Van Nuys, California by Harpur's Giddy Upp "Gigi" and D. Davidson Harpur. They tend to have a big personality in that small package, though! Rat Terriers also fit right in whether you live in an apartment or wide-open farm land. True to their heritage, rat terriers are perfectly suited farm dogs. Your veterinarian may detect valvular disease if your dog has a heart murmur that gets worse over time. True to their original purpose, the rat terrier will spend a lot of his outside time on the lookout for small prey. As farmers started killing rats with poison, Rat Terriers became less popular until the 1990s when they started making a comeback. However, some are more reserved around new people. One source claims that a single terrier killed 2,501 rats in a seven-hour period in a rat-infested barn (an average of one rat every ten seconds).[5]. Their coat comes in a wide range of colors, including black and white or tri-color (black, tan and white; red,white and sable; blue, white and tan; or white, chocolate and tan) and can be any pied pattern, meaning there are large patches of one or more shades, along with a combination of white with apricot, fawn, lemon, red, silver, blue or chocolate. She strongly recommends working closely with a reputable Rat Terrier breeder to find a puppy thats a good fit for your situation. Are rat terriers good with other small animals in the house? 300+ Cute Cat Names for Every Kind of Kitty. These regal little dogs are charming and affectionate. They may not be ready to beat you in a game of chess, but these brainy dogs are easy to train and generally eager to please you. socialization and training is a must. Because the rat terrier was bred as a working and hunting dog, it has very high energy levels and exercise needs. It is not fully confirmed which type of terrier that he owned, however, the Teddy Roosevelt terrier pays homage to the dog-loving 26th President of the United States. The rat terrier is a dog for whom the name leaves no ambiguity: This little guy was bred for a purpose. We have aquired Diamond Valley Patches and he has really been a top producer for our kennel. Rat Terrier 30 minutes Here at Mountain top rat terriers we focus on preserving the breed by creating excellent show, work, and agility preforming dogs as well as beloved family pets. They were bred for speed and were remarkably efficient in killing vermin, such as rats and other rodents. Rat Terriers are incredible hunters, containing the intelligence and sense of humor that youd expect in a terrier. In advanced cases, rat terriers may need surgery. Rat Terriers make wonderful dogs for families living in any size of home. Rat terriers have great personalities and are highly social, affectionate dogs. Sometimes known as a rattie, this breed has a muscular, compact, and well-proportioned body with perky ears and an alert face that's always ready for action. "Rat terriers are fast, prey-driven, and focused on their own goalsnot yours," Johnson says. Our primary kennel is climate controlled and doggie doors provide access to outdoor runs for exercise and bathroom breaks. And even if the fence is tall enough, they will tunnel under it if given half a chance. Your rat terrier's diet will depend largely on her size, age, and activity levels, but you can expect to feed her between .25 cups (for dogs weighing 10 pounds or less) and 2 cups per day (for dogs weighing between 30 and 40 pounds) of high-protein, high-quality dog food. Like many other small dogs, Rat Terriers are prone to obesity and can easily gain weight if they dont get enough exercise or eat too many calories. Fire Mountain North Rat Terriers is back! Shes been breeding, training, showing, and loving the breed for 30 years. Rat Terrier . Boasting an ancestry that goes back some 500 years, the rat terrier breed became established in the United States throughout the 1920s and '30s. They need consistent exercise and and plenty of mental stimulation, too. They are seasonal shedders, so make sure you've got a shedding tool or rubber curry brush handy to collect the excess, or resign yourself to having hair everywhere twice a year. Most Rat Terriers are athletic and agile, LOVE to play, and have a special passion for chasing balls. Due to their instinct to chase after prey, rat terriers need to be leashed while walking or any time theyre not contained in a fenced area. Although rat terriers are born huntersand make excellent watchdogsthey can be loving, affectionate, and loyal to their family members. The dog isn't big on pleasing its human, which can be frustrating for a new dog owner. Introducing them to crate training early on is wise, because it will keep them (and anything they can get their teeth on) safe if you need to leave them alone for a bit. TO SEE OUR FAMILY PHOTOS CLICK ON THE SMALL PHOTO TO THE LEFT. As with any dog, supervision with children is recommended. Ticking is usually visible in the white parts of the coat, or in the underlying skin. This breed comes in two compact sizes: a miniature Rat Terrier dog that stands 1013 inches tall, and the standard size thats 1318 inches tall. This condition can lead to glaucoma and, if left untreated, total blindness. A dog fence is an important detail to consider when adopting a pet for the first time or moving your dog to a new home. And it is a job, Kallas says. Today, some breeders prefer a natural, undocked tail, which is accepted in the breed standards. Patellar luxation.Patellar luxation, where the kneecap shifts sideways out of its normal alignment, is common in small dogs. The RTCA offers this list as a service to people looking for Rat Terrier Puppies or for contacts for Breed information. But, good news for city-dwellers or apartment renters: They are small enough to get their needs met indoors, as long as you're willing to devote some playtime to them. Eyes. Theyre just doing what they were bred to do! As the use of poisons and mechanical traps became more widespread, the rat terrier's usage on farms began to dwindle, and people began to realize the bright, friendly dog made an excellent house companion as well. The UKC officially recognized the breed on January 1, 1999. Be sure to factor in their age and choose the formula based on their stage in life (puppy, adult or senior). Christina Donnelly is a small animal expert focusing on dogs and writer with over 12 years of experience in animal welfare. Message See more of MountainTop Rat Terriers on Facebook Log In or Create new account You'll also find rat terriers in a variety of bicolor and tricolor variations, with white acting as the base. Once the most common farm dog in America, rat terriers are now popular family pets due to their social nature and rapport with children.. With the proper training and socialization, they can also be friendly with strangers and other medium-size to larger pets. Farm or working dogs will naturally require a little more maintenance, and apartment dogs might need a little less upkeep. Yes, Rat Terriers generally make excellent family dogs, including those with kids and other pets. It should come as no surprise that this working dog is highly energetic and has extensive and high daily exercise needs, which makes this dog an excellent pick for active families. Their coat is short and smooth. They were originally used for hunting andfarm work, and were highly popular in the 1920s and 1930s on US farms and homesteads. Surgery might be recommended if the luxation is severe. Just make sure youre then giving them plenty of rest to recover. This condition, where the kneecap (or patella) shifts out of place, is common in Rat Terriers and other small dog breeds. The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2022. The standard Rat Terrier is 13-18 inches and a miniature is usually 10-13 inches tall. They are sturdy and compact little dog but also elegant. For instance, this means no pulling on the puppy's tail and no intimidating direct eye contact. Fast, nimble hunters, they excel at agility competitions and love to run. Rat Terrier coats are smooth and shiny with short hair, and can be slightly wavy down their backs. A genetic disease, primary lens luxation causes the eye lens to shift out of alignment spontaneously. Legg-Calve-Perthes. The standard says "small to medium" and the miniature is small enough to go in and under those places where vermin like to hide. In the 1970s, a hairless mutation appeared in a single Rat Terrier and was propagated into a strain of the Rat Terrier. Socializing them early on is important, and obedience training is going to be a must as well; rat terriers are smart enough to think up ways to get into trouble, and they're small and nimble enough to get to places they shouldn't. After the 1890s, as the breed type became popular in the United States, they were bred with Beagles, Italian Greyhounds, and Manchester Terriers. Rat terriers need daily exercise to stay happy, but they're small enough that they can get all the exercise they need with some indoor playtime. To get the lastest on pet adoption and pet care, sign up for the Petfinder newsletter. An American original with a breed name said to be coined by Teddy Roosevelt, the Rat Terrier is a compact, tough, smooth-coated exterminator dog. By the middle of the 20th century, as farmers began relying more on traps and poisons to rid their property of vermin, the rat terrier fell out of popularity and the breed was sustained by a handful of dedicated breeders until the dogs gained a boost of popularity as a family pet in the 1970s. With their short, dense coat, Rat Terriers are low maintenance in the grooming department. Although rat terriers can thrive in smaller spaces, like apartments or condos, those living in small spaces should remember that rats were bred to runso they need at least 40 minutes of exercise each dayand they have a strong instinct to bark. Through the years we have purchased many outstanding Standard Rat Terriers and have begun a top quality breeding program that consists of the last remaining Standard type Fire Mountain dogs left in the world. This is a relatively small dog that reaches only 1025 pounds, both in the standard and the miniature size. If a Rat Terrier is introduced to new people (including children), other dogs, and cats early on, theyll likely get along with everyone. But its definitely time to get the nail clippers out when you hear the unmistakable tap-tapping on the floor. Like all breeds, it's important to stay on top of regular teeth brushing, frequent ear checks and cleanings, and making sure your pup's nails are trimmed. 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