Small breed
Rat Terrier Puppies
The Rat Terrier is a rare and beloved dog breed in the United States. Due to their active nature and intelligence, Rat Terriers are widely sought after by numerous families in the US. Discover more about our Rat Terrier puppies for sale below!
We do not have Rat Terrier puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well.
- Adult weight 10–25 lbs
- Height 10–18 in
- Lifespan 12–18 years
- Exercise 60 min a day
About the Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier is a small yet mighty breed with a rich history as a versatile working dog, originally bred for hunting purposes and farm work. Their cheerful disposition and lively personality make them excellent family companions, particularly in households with young children. They thrive on affection and social interaction, establishing strong bonds with their human family members. With their friendliness towards other dogs, Rat Terriers can seamlessly fit into multi-pet homes, although they may be more selective when it comes to having feline friends around.
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This breed offers an energetic spirit that matches their playful nature, requiring daily walks and playtime to keep them happy and healthy. Their apartment-friendly size makes them suitable for various living situations, and they tend to adapt well to different environments. Regular weekly grooming helps maintain their neat appearance while keeping shedding to a manageable level.
Rat Terriers are quite intelligent and eager to learn, showcasing a commendable trainability that makes them responsive to commands and training sessions. Their tendency to bark helps make them effective watchdogs, but it also means they enjoy being part of the action and will often join in on conversations with their family. If you are looking to add a spirited and loving companion to your home, consider welcoming a Rat Terrier into your life, especially if you visit Petland Topeka, Kansas, where these delightful pups are waiting to find their forever homes.
Rat Terrier breed profile
Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse.
Temperament
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Affection Very affectionate
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Playfulness Very playful
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With strangers Friendly
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Territorial Somewhat
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Prey drive High
Family & other pets
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Young children Good
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Older children Excellent
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Other dogs Sociable
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Cats Needs care
Energy & exercise
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Energy Very high
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Mental stimulation High
Training
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Trainability Quick to learn
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Intelligence Very bright
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Stubbornness A stubborn streak
Care & upkeep
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Shedding Light
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Drooling None to speak of
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Barking Vocal
Home life
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Apartment living Good
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Time alone Short periods
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Cold weather Needs a coat
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Warm weather Comfortable
A good match for
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First-time owners Good first dog
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Senior owners Good
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Running partner Good
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Hiking Good
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Therapy work Unlikely
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Guarding Alert
Living with a Rat Terrier
History
The Rat Terrier is a breed with origins from the Bull Terrier, Fox Terrier, and English White Terrier. Because of its function as a hunter and farm dog, in the 1910s breeders added new strains to the breed to improve their ability to catch pests.
Later in the 1920s, big Fox Terriers were also introduced to Rat Terrier programs to enable Rat Terriers breed small offspring. It was said that President Roosevelt coined the breeds named after his own Rat Terrier solved the vermin problem in the white house.
Although Rat Terriers were common farm dogs from the 1910s to 1940s, their popularity on the farms lessened when farmers started using pesticides instead. They later became more popular as family dogs.
Temperament
Rat Terriers are social dogs and this makes them easy to reside with. Due to their eager-to-please nature, they are easily trainable and can learn to take instructions from an early age. Just like it is with most breeds, proper socialization is essential from a young age. Due to their intelligent mind, Rat Terriers love mental exercises. They are also loyal dogs that love attention and praise from owners.
Environment
As puppies, they should be trained to get used to staying in crates. This is because, with their curious nature, they can cause some destruction to the home or run into things that may harm them. Though a crate keeps them in check, they shouldn’t be kept in it all day.
Save for night time when they are asleep, they should only be left in a crate a few hours at a time. They are people dogs and should be allowed to be around people frequently.
Exercise
Rat terriers need about 40 minutes of exercise daily. They require basic physical stimulation such as walking, jogging, fetching, farm work and so on. Playtime can also keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Due to their ability to hunt and do farm work, rat terriers can spend a lot of time running around and playing. They are too active for people who work too many hours and have very little time for their dogs.
Grooming
Rat Terriers are low maintenance when it comes to grooming. They require brushing once a week and require baths occasionally. Brush their teeth twice a week to prevent dental diseases. Their nails should be trimmed at least once a month to protect yourself from scratches. Also, check and clean their ears weekly to ensure there is no infection.
Our Rat Terrier puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country.
The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Rat Terrier puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.
Caring for a Rat Terrier
- Grooming
- Weekly brushing
- Grooming cost
- Low
- Monthly food
- Low
- Outdoor space
- A yard is recommended
- Allergy friendly
- Not considered hypoallergenic
Rat Terrier Video
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I take proper care of Rat Terriers?
Brush them weekly, bath them monthly, brush their teeth once a week and trim their nails once a month. Also, engage them in exercise to keep them mentally and physically fit.
Do Rat Terriers shed often?
Yes, Rat Terriers shed often. Their shedding is heavier in the fall and spring. They also shed heavily during heat cycles. Weekly brushing can help rid them of excess hair.
How should Rat Terriers be fed?
How a Rat Terrier should be fed depends largely on its size, metabolism, age and activity level. If your dog is less than 10 pounds, half a cup of dry dog food a day is sufficient. If it’s about 10 to 15 pounds, it should be fed a cup of dog food daily. If it weighs from 20 to 10 pounds, one and a half cup of dog food a day will be sufficient.
Are Rat Terriers accommodating to visitors?
Yes. Although Rat Terriers are protective of their families, they are accommodating to visitors.
Do Rat Terriers dig?
Rat Terriers are farm dogs with a knack for hunting prey. This makes them fierce diggers. They will try to dig under any fence they can’t jump over so be prepared to check your fences for holes.
How much exercise do they require?
At least 40 minutes of exercise daily. This dog breed requires lots of activities and if they don’t get enough exercise, they will become destructive.
Can Rat Terriers cohabit with other animals?
Yes. Rat Terriers are very open to living with other dogs. They might chase after other smaller animals though.
What is Rat Terriers life expectancy?
Rat Terriers tend to live longer than most dogs. The average lifespan of a Rat Terrier is 16 to 19 years.
What is the size of an average Rat Terrier?
The average Rat Terrier stands at about 10-18 inches tall and weighs from 10-25 pounds.
Are Rat Terriers children friendly?
Yes, they love children.
If you want an active, little companion dog, the Rat Terrier is the perfect choice for you!
