Rat Terrier
The all-American farmhand — quick paws, sharp eyes, and a barn cleared by lunchtime.
Vital stats
| Size | Small · 25–46 cm (two sizes) |
| Weight | 5–11 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–18 years |
| Energy | High — 45–60 min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate, seasonal |
| Coat | Short, smooth · white with black, tan, blue or red patches |
| Group | Terrier · AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Built by American farmers from a practical blend of terriers and small hounds, the Rat Terrier kept homesteads vermin-free and families entertained. It kept the terrier's speed and prey drive but gained an unusual willingness to listen — sensitive, perceptive and playful with its people, watchful with strangers, and always tracking the small and scurrying.
Habits & quirks
The excavation project
Digging is heritage work — expect earthworks wherever a rodent once breathed.
Under-blanket burrowing
A short coat and a den instinct mean it sleeps beneath the covers, not on them.
The freeze-and-stare
Mid-walk it stops dead, ears up, locked onto movement you can't even see.
Two-speed living
Full-throttle zoomies, then hours folded into your lap — nothing in between.
Care
| Exercise | An hour of daily activity split between walks, play and free running; it excels at agility and barn hunt. |
| Containment | A talented digger, jumper and squeezer-through-gaps — check fences low and high. |
| Training | Quick and eager for a terrier; keep it positive and start recall work early, before prey drive matures. |
| Grooming | A weekly rubber-brush session and the occasional bath — one of dogdom's easiest coats. |
Common questions
Are Rat Terriers good family dogs?
Yes — they're affectionate, playful and sturdy enough for respectful children. They tend to reserve judgement on strangers until introduced.
Can Rat Terriers live with cats or small pets?
With a confident household cat, often yes if raised together. Rodents and rabbits are a different matter — the name is a job description.
Are Rat Terriers easy to train?
Unusually so for a terrier — they're sensitive and keen to work with you. Harsh handling backfires; short, upbeat sessions get the best from them.