Rat Terrier

Personality

Rat Terriers are cheerful, playful and eager to join in. The AKC describes them as unusually sensitive and intuitive, thriving on praise and happiest as part of a human family. Most are patient with children, though they may keep their distance from strangers.

The AKC calls them one of the calmer terrier breeds, but they are still high-energy dogs that need daily exercise and plenty of companionship. VCA adds that some bark a lot, that they can be cocky or scrappy with other dogs, and that they may not be safe around small pets, especially rodents.

The terrier brain never really switches off. Rat Terriers are quick and curious, and VCA says they are easily bored and distracted, so expect a dog that finds its own entertainment if you do not provide some.

History

Rat Terriers are an American original. As the name suggests, they were bred to kill rats, and on old farms a good ratter could decide whether the winter's grain lasted, according to the AKC. Farmers wanted versatile dogs, so Rat Terriers also hunted with their owners, guarded the henhouse, raised the alarm and played with the kids.

The ancestry is a mix. VCA lists Manchester Terriers, smooth fox terriers and possibly Whippets among the early ancestors, with Beagles, Italian Greyhounds, Miniature Pinschers and Chihuahuas added later. The foundation dogs arrived with working-class British immigrants in the late 1800s. The breed name is said to have been coined by President Theodore Roosevelt, who, according to VCA, hunted with them and kept some at the White House.

Pesticides in the 1950s cut demand for ratters, but companion owners kept the breed going. The United Kennel Club recognized the Rat Terrier in 1999, and the AKC followed in 2013, with the Rat Terrier Club of America as its parent club.

Appearance, coat & colors

Rat Terriers are balanced, compactly built dogs that look tough but elegant. The AKC recognizes two sizes: Miniatures stand 10 to 13 in (25 to 33 cm) at the shoulder, and Standards are over 13 in and up to 18 in (33 to 46 cm). The AKC lists weights of 10 to 25 lb (5 to 11 kg) overall.

The smooth, shiny coat is typically pied, which the AKC describes as sizable patches of color mixed with white. Black and white, tricolor, and white with chocolate, red, fawn or lemon are among the listed color combinations.

According to the United Kennel Club standard, ears may be erect, tipped or button, and the tail may be natural, bobbed or docked. The build is muscular and efficient, designed for a long day of work.

Training

Rat Terriers are extremely intelligent and trainable, though the AKC notes some can be stubborn and single-minded. They want to please you, soak up praise and pick up positive training fast. VCA agrees that they learn fast but get bored and distracted easily, so keep sessions short, rewarding and varied.

They excel at agility, obedience, rally and other sports. Since 2006 the AKC has also allowed Rat Terriers to compete in Earthdog tests, an event built around working terriers, which suits the breed's job history.

Socialization matters. The AKC calls early socialization a must and recommends puppy classes. Because the breed can be reserved with strangers, teach friendly greetings with treats. If barking is an issue, reward quiet moments and manage triggers. With the strong prey drive, a solid recall and a leash outside fenced areas are essential.

Exercise

Some Rat Terriers get enough exercise from indoor play, the AKC says, but most thrive with daily walks and ball chasing or other games in a fenced enclosure. VCA suggests a short daily walk plus several play sessions. Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs explains how to match activity to age.

Because of the strong prey drive, the AKC says Rat Terriers should not be let off the leash outside a fence, since most cannot resist chasing a squirrel or unfamiliar animal. A secure yard without gaps matters.

Add mental work with scent games, puzzle toys, trick training or sports like agility. VCA cautions that dog parks can be a poor fit unless big and small dogs are kept apart, and that some Rat Terriers push other small dogs around. A thin coat and small size make them vulnerable to chilling, so dress for cold weather.

Grooming

Grooming is minimal. The AKC says a weekly going-over with a soft brush or hound glove keeps the short, dense coat glossy, with a bath about once a month depending on lifestyle. Rat Terriers shed seasonally, when a rubber curry brush or shedding tool speeds things up.

Trim the nails at least monthly, because long nails are uncomfortable. Check the ears weekly and wipe out wax and debris that could lead to infection. The AKC advises brushing the teeth daily if possible, using toothpaste made for dogs; our guide to brushing your dog's teeth walks through it.

The thin coat offers little insulation, so wipe off mud and dry your dog well after wet walks. Regular handling during grooming also helps you spot lumps, skin problems and parasites early, and it gets your dog used to being touched for vet visits.

Feeding

A Rat Terrier thrives on a complete and balanced diet for its life stage. The AKC says high-quality commercial food, or home-prepared food made under your vet's supervision, can both work. VCA notes that Rat Terriers tend to stay at a good weight or run slightly heavy, and that even small snacks add up in a very small dog, so count every treat.

Tiny puppies need special care. VCA warns that very small puppies are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and suggests feeding them often, with small meals rich in protein, fat and complex carbohydrates. Ask your vet for a feeding schedule for your puppy, and call promptly if a tiny puppy seems weak or refuses food.

For adults, our dog food calculator gives a starting amount. Weigh your dog monthly and adjust with your vet.

Health

The AKC calls Rat Terriers very healthy overall and lists a lifespan of 12 to 18 years. Responsible breeders screen for hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (loose kneecaps), Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which damages the hip joint, and cardiac and eye disorders.

The AKC's list of the parent club's recommended tests includes a patella evaluation, a hip evaluation, a cardiac exam and a DNA test for primary lens luxation (PLL), an inherited eye condition in which the lens can slip out of place. A conscientious breeder tests all breeding stock, the AKC says, with the goal of reducing and eventually eliminating these problems.

Tell your vet about limping, skipping steps or any change in your dog's eyes. Small dogs also benefit from daily dental care, as the AKC recommends, and yearly checkups let your vet catch heart murmurs and dental disease early.

Health conditions to know about

• Patellar luxation — Loose kneecaps; the AKC lists a patella evaluation among recommended tests.
• Hip dysplasia — Joint malformation that breeders screen for with a hip evaluation.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease — A hip joint disease of small dogs listed by the AKC as a screened condition.
• Cardiac disorders — The AKC recommends a cardiac exam for breeding dogs.
• Primary lens luxation (PLL) — An inherited eye condition in which the lens can slip out of place; a DNA test is available.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Hip evaluation
• Cardiac exam
• Primary lens luxation (PLL) DNA test

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Rat Terrier

Rat Terriers adapt well to different homes, including apartments, as long as they get exercise and company. The AKC describes them as happy-go-lucky and portable companions that do best as part of a human family, so they should not be isolated for long hours.

Barking is moderate, and some individuals bark a lot, so teach a quiet cue early. The AKC says Rat Terriers usually get on well with dogs their own size or bigger, though VCA notes that some can be scrappy with other dogs.

The strong prey drive is the main household issue: small animals such as rodents and Rat Terriers do not mix. VCA also says the thin coat and small size make the breed vulnerable to chilling, so provide a warm bed and a coat for cold weather.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

The AKC lists a patella evaluation, a hip evaluation, a cardiac exam and a PLL DNA test as the parent club's recommended tests. Ask any breeder for the results on both parents and for a written health guarantee. The Rat Terrier Club of America is the AKC's official parent club and is a good place to start looking for breeders.

Because the breed was long treated as a strain with many sizes, ask which size the parents are and what adult size to expect. The AKC also lists a separate breed, the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, so check which one a seller is describing. Prices vary widely, and a high price does not prove quality.

Rat Terriers also turn up in shelters and rescues. Ask about the dog's history with small animals and other dogs, and use our breed selector to compare options.