Strange AnimalsThe Rat Terrier is an American breed with a character shaped by over a century of practical farm work: compact, athletic, intelligent and with a work ethic that distinguishes it from nearly every other terrier.
The breed was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a farm rat-catcher and small game hunter, and regular outcrossing throughout its history has made it a very hardy breed.
The American Kennel Club says the breed name is said to have been coined by President Theodore Roosevelt, an association that is part of the breed's American heritage.
The Rat Terrier differs from most terrier breeds in a quality that endears it to owners and trainers: it is notably more willing to cooperate with humans than the average terrier. The stubbornness and independence that characterise many terrier breeds are present but moderated in the Rat Terrier, producing a dog that is easier to train, more responsive to its owner, and more amenable to the give-and-take of domestic life.
Origins and History
The Rat Terrier's ancestry is a reflection of practical American farm breeding, not the controlled pedigree development of European kennel club breeds, but the functional mixing of whatever working stock produced the best vermin-hunter. The foundational dogs were brought by European (particularly English) immigrants and included working smooth Fox Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Bull Terriers and probably Italian Greyhounds for additional speed.
As the breed developed across different regions of the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, local breeders added other breeds to address specific needs. Whippet blood was added in some regions to increase speed. Beagle blood improved the scenting ability. Miniature Pinscher blood was incorporated in some lines. The result was a functionally diverse gene pool that contributed to the breed's health and longevity.
The United Kennel Club recognised the Rat Terrier in 1999, and the American Kennel Club recognised it as a breed in 2010 as a member of the Terrier Group.
Rat Terrier Physical Characteristics
The Rat Terrier is a compact, balanced, athletic dog that exists in two sizes. The size distinction is significant and affects some practical aspects of ownership.
| Variety | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Miniature | 25-33 cm (10-13 in) | Varies with size |
| Standard | 33-46 cm (13-18 in) | Varies with size |
| Weight | Both sizes | 4.5-11.3 kg (10-25 lb) |
| AKC Group | Both | Terrier |
The coat is short, dense and smooth, easy to maintain with weekly brushing. Shedding is moderate year-round. Coat colours are varied: the breed comes in particolour combinations of white with any of several colours including black, tan, chocolate, blue, lemon and apricot. The variety of colours is a reflection of the breed's diverse genetic ancestry.
The Rat Terrier's body is lean and muscular, with a wedge-shaped head, upright ears (though button ears are also permissible), and an expression of sharp, alert intelligence. The breed looks what it is: a versatile, capable, practical working dog in a compact package.
Temperament
The Rat Terrier's temperament is one of its greatest assets for companion life. The breed combines the terrier's natural alertness, intelligence, and fearlessness with a notably stronger cooperative orientation toward humans than most terrier breeds possess. This is not a coincidence, the breed's working role required not just independent rat-killing but also cooperative work with farmers, and dogs that were difficult to work with were replaced.
The result is a dog that is smart, engaged and genuinely interested in its owner, without the single-minded independence that makes many terriers a training challenge. Rat Terriers learn quickly, retain training well and generally show a willingness to participate in the training process that sets them apart from breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier or the Scottie.
The prey drive is genuine and significant, this is, fundamentally, a dog bred to catch and kill small animals. Small pets (hamsters, gerbils, pet rats, guinea pigs) are not safe with a Rat Terrier without strict supervision. Small cats may also trigger the chase response. Outdoor gardens will be investigated thoroughly. Squirrels and rabbits will be pursued with dedication.
Despite the prey drive, Rat Terriers are typically excellent with children and good with other dogs when socialised appropriately. The breed is energetic and playful, matching well with the active play style of children, and is patient enough to be a safe child's companion.
Health Conditions
Because of regular outcrossing throughout its history, the Rat Terrier is a very hardy breed, though some health issues are becoming more common as its popularity grows.
| Health Condition | Prevalence / Notes |
|---|---|
| Patellar luxation | Present, grade varies; monitoring recommended |
| Dental disease | Common in smaller individuals, crowded teeth in small jaws |
| Hip dysplasia | Screening recommended by the Canine Health Information Center |
| Demodectic mange | Present in young dogs with immature immune systems |
| Cardiac disease | Some lines show elevated heart disease prevalence |
See also Signs of a Healthy Dog: Comprehensive Health Checklist for routine health monitoring guidance.
Training
Training a Rat Terrier is genuinely enjoyable for owners accustomed to more stubborn terrier breeds. The breed's combination of intelligence, food motivation and cooperative temperament makes it one of the most responsive terriers to train. Basic obedience, trick training and canine sports are all areas where Rat Terriers can excel.
The prey drive requires management in training contexts. A Rat Terrier that has spotted a squirrel or sensed a rodent is difficult to redirect. Reliable recall must be practised consistently before any off-lead access, and off-lead exercise in unfenced areas should not be trusted regardless of training history.
Positive reinforcement using food rewards is the most effective approach. The breed is food-motivated and learns quickly. Training sessions can be longer than with less tolerant terriers, the Rat Terrier's engagement with the training process sustains attention for longer periods.
See also Jack Russell Terriers and Best Family Dogs with Kids .
Exercise
Rat Terriers are active dogs with moderate-to-high exercise needs. An adult Rat Terrier needs regular daily exercise, including off-lead running in a secure area if possible. The breed enjoys varied, mentally stimulating exercise, nose work, tracking, fetch and agility are all well-suited to the Rat Terrier's physical and mental abilities.
The breed adapts well to apartment living if exercise needs are met consistently. The small-to-medium size, manageable energy levels (compared to larger working breeds), and quiet indoor temperament make the Rat Terrier a practical urban companion. The critical requirement is that the exercise commitment be genuine and consistent, a Rat Terrier that is under-exercised becomes restless and may use its intelligence to find entertainment that the owner does not appreciate.
Frequently asked questions
Rat Terriers are generally a hardy breed because of regular outcrossing throughout their history. Some issues are becoming more common as the breed grows in popularity. The Canine Health Information Center recommends testing for patellar luxation, cardiac abnormalities, pancreatic issues, hip dysplasia and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.
Rat Terriers thrive in apartments when their exercise and mental stimulation needs are met consistently. Their small-to-medium size, calm indoor disposition and lower energy requirements compared to larger working breeds make them suitable city companions.
For apartment Rat Terriers, daily exercise, secure off-lead space and mental engagement through training, scent work, tracking, fetching or agility are essential. Without sufficient exercise, a Rat Terrier becomes restlessness and may turn to its own entertainments using the breed’s considerable intelligence.
Rat Terriers are notably easier to train than most terrier breeds. The combination of intelligence, food motivation, and a cooperative temperament that is unusual among terriers makes the breed highly responsive to positive reinforcement training. They learn quickly, retain training well, and show a willingness to participate in training that sets them apart from breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier or the Scottie.
Basic obedience, trick training, and canine sports such as agility are all areas where Rat Terriers excel. The prey drive must be managed with reliable recall training before any off-lead access.
The American Kennel Club says the breed name is said to have been coined by President Theodore Roosevelt. Whatever the origin of the name, it reflects the breed’s primary function: catching and killing rats.
The breed’s development was not centrally organised through a kennel club, it evolved across American farms through practical breeding decisions. The United Kennel Club recognised the Rat Terrier in 1999, and the American Kennel Club recognised it as a breed in 2010.
Rat Terriers have a genuine prey drive directed at small animals, a drive that is fundamental to the breed’s working function. Small cats may trigger the chase response, and small pets such as hamsters, gerbils, pet rats and guinea pigs are not safe with a Rat Terrier without strict supervision.
With appropriate socialisation the breed is typically good with other dogs and excellent with children. Any introduction to a household cat should be managed carefully and supervised until the relationship is clearly established.
Rat Terriers shed moderately year-round. The short, dense, smooth coat is easy to maintain: weekly brushing removes dead hair and keeps the coat in good condition.
Grooming is one of the simplest parts of Rat Terrier ownership, the real commitment is the breed’s daily exercise and mental stimulation.
References
- American Kennel Club. (2023). Rat Terrier Breed Standard. View source
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. (2023). Breed Health Statistics: Rat Terrier. View source
- Rat Terrier Club of America. (2023). Breed History and Health. View source
- Bellumori, T. P., Famula, T. R., Bannasch, D. L., Belanger, J. M., & Oberbauer, A. M. (2013). Prevalence of inherited disorders among mixed-breed and purebred dogs: 27,254 cases. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 242(11), 1549-1555. View source
- O'Neill, D. G., et al. (2013). Longevity and mortality of owned dogs in England. Veterinary Journal, 198(3), 638-643. View source
- Scott, J. P., & Fuller, J. L. (1965). Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog. University of Chicago Press.
- United Kennel Club. Rat Terrier Official UKC Breed Standard. View source