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.
- Exercise 60 min a day
About the Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier is a lively and affectionate breed that has its roots in the hardworking farms of the early 20th century, originally bred for hunting and vermin control. Today, these spirited companions bring their charm and intelligence into family homes, making them excellent pets for those with children and other animals. Known for their friendly demeanor, Rat Terriers thrive on companionship and love to bond with their family members, engaging in playful activities that keep their spirits high.
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With a moderate energy level, this breed enjoys a healthy mix of playtime and relaxation. Daily walks and interactive play can help satisfy their active nature while keeping them physically fit. While they do have a tendency to bark, which can be great for alerting owners to visitors, they are also known to get along well with young kids and other dogs, making them a wonderful addition to a bustling household. Their adaptable nature means they can adjust to various living situations, including apartment life, as long as they receive adequate exercise.
When it comes to grooming, a weekly brushing is usually sufficient to keep their coat looking neat and tidy. Although their shedding is moderate, regular attention can help manage loose hair and keep your home clean. Trainability is another strong suit for the Rat Terrier, as they are eager learners who respond well to positive reinforcement. Overall, this affectionate and clever breed brings joy and energy to any home, making them an ideal choice for families looking to welcome a furry friend. If a Rat Terrier sounds like the perfect fit for you, visit us at Petland Alpharetta, Georgia, and meet your new companion today.
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 Warms up
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Territorial Territorial
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Prey drive High
Family & other pets
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Young children Good
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Older children Good
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Other dogs Sociable
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Cats With introductions
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 Moderate
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Drooling None to speak of
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Barking Vocal
Home life
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Apartment living Adaptable
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Time alone A few hours
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Cold weather Average
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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 Suitable
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Running partner Good
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Hiking Good
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Therapy work Possible
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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
- Average
- 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!
