Rat Terrier Puppies for Sale

Country of Origin:

United States

Available Puppies

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Breed Characteristics

Average Size: Small

Average Lifespan: 12-18 years

Kid/Pet Friendly: Sometimes

Registry: aca,akc

Activity Level: high

Shedding Level: low

Grooming Level: low

Trainability: high

Good For Novice Owners: moderate

Adaptability: high

Prey Drive: high

Watchdog: very alert

Breed Information

Overview

Shoulder height: 10 – 18 inches. The largest should not weigh more than 26 lbs.

The Rat Terrier originated in the United States. Traditionally, they were considered more of a type of dog used for pest control rather than a specific dog breed. This means they share a lot of their ancestry with feists, which are small hunting dogs.

The Rat Terrier started to become their own breed when they rose in popularity on family farms throughout the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. They were prized for their small size, agility, and ability to keep rats and other pests under control on the farm and out of the grain stores. The breed declined after the 1950s when pesticides and poisons became popular for pest control on farms.

The breed re-emerged during the 1970s thanks to a handful of dedicated breeders who sustained the breed during the dropoff. The American Kennel Club recognized the Rat Terrier as a member of the Terrier Group in 2013. They can still be found working pest control, but they are also used as service dogs, therapy dogs, and even as police dogs where they search for contraband. And, of course, they are often found as a beloved family pet.

Temperament

Although they are small, these dogs have big personalities. Like many other terriers, the Rat Terrier is feisty and energetic with a fun, playful personality. They are lively, intelligent, and love their families. They tend to get along well with children and other dogs. But, they are terriers, which means they have a high prey drive and an urge to chase. So, you’ll need some extra socialization and training when it comes to other small pets in the household. Overall, the Rat Terrier has a friendly and open personality. They will let you know when someone is coming up to the house and will need a little bit of time to warm up to strangers, but they’ll be happy to have the attention once they do.

Did You Know?

Rumor has it that President Theodore Roosevelt gave this dog breed its name after his own terrier successfully rid the White House of rats, but this is just a rumor and is debated. They also tend to be born with upright ears. Around when their eyes open, their ears tend to droop a little and flop over. For some Rat Terriers, they perk back up to stick straight up again while others maintain a slightly floppy-eared look into adulthood.