Rat Terrier

The slender, athletic-built, strong-shouldered, well-muscled Rat Terrier is a small to medium-size, parti-colored terrier dog, with erect ears that are kept both as pets and controller of pests and rodents or vermin in the farms, tracing back to small mixed-breed feist, and hence being more of a ‘type’, than a breed.

Rat Terrier Pictures

History

With a very old history of companionship with its master being pretty much common in most of the farms mainly in the 1920s and 1930s, the rats were used as farm-dogs and hunters.

Mixes

Click here for a list of popular Rat Terrier mixes.

Temperament

The quiet Rats make excellent pets with those who are seeking for an enthusiastic, friendly dog that are good with people and children. They make good watchdogs and eager to constantly find out ways to please and give company to the owner, cuddling on his lap or on sofa, or sleeping with family members, especially kids, the qualities which they developed having a demeanor of the terriers, still being much less aggressive.

Care

• Exercise

• Grooming

• Health Problems

With proper exercise, like daily 20-40-minute long brisk walking, jogging or vigorous outdoor games, which they need, the already-playful rat terriers would develop to be a healthier and more cheerful dog.

Because just some brushing by a firm brush from time to time is enough, grooming these pets is not hectic. Bathe them once every six months, since frequent bathing can give them skin problems.

For the outcrossing of the dog with other breeds since decades has left researchers unaware of any breed-specific genetic defects, diseases and health problems, except an allergy that affects its skin and coat.

Training

For their inborn intelligence, they can easily pick up tricks and training than many other dogs, and they would not need much socialization training with kids since they are already tolerant to them. Begin all training when it is still a puppy of around 3 months.

Feeding

Being an energetic breed, these dogs need a high protein diet, enhanced with minerals and vitamins through plant sources. Only 30% of its total protein can be considered through non-vegetarian sources like meat and fish. Supply your dog with lots of drinking water. Feed your dog twice a day, but make sure that the dry food offered is of high quality, however the daily quantity varies according to the dog’s weight (puppies to adults):

• < 10 pounds: ¼ to ½ cup
• 10-15 pounds ½ to 1 cup
• 20-30 pounds ¾ to 1 ½ cups
• 30-40 pounds 1 ½ to 2 cups

Interesting Facts

• Rat terrier puppies are born with their ears pointing up, which start to drop by the time their eyes start to open. However, some puppies get their erect ears back within a few weeks or months.
• Rat terrier is an American breed which evolved from the unification of different other terrier breeds like the Old English White Terrier, the Bull Terrier, the Manchester Terrier, the Fox Terrier etc.
• Some rat terriers are born with a very short tail (that looks like being tailless), while others are born with a complete tail.

Rat Terrier Rescue

• http://www.newrattitude.org/contact.php
• http://www.terrierrescue.co.uk/