Fun, feisty, inquisitive, energetic, and expert diggers – Rat Terriers are adorable little dogs who are true to their terrier heritage. They were supposedly named by Teddy Roosevelt and are compact and robust vermin exterminators.
If you’re interested in this breed and are looking for Rat Terrier puppies for sale, here’s some important information you should know.
The average Rat Terrier stands 10-13 inches tall (miniature size) or 13-18 inches tall (standard size). These dogs weigh anywhere from 10 to 25 pounds. The life expectancy for Rat Terriers is 12-18 years. This is a compact, tough, but elegant looking dog with smooth muscles that allow efficient, agile movements.
In terms of personality and family life, Rat Terriers are highly affectionate with family members, very playful, and do well with young kids. They are also quite open to strangers and make friends easily.
A properly trained and socialized Rat Terrier puppy will get along with other dogs. This is an adaptable breed that can adjust to changes in schedule and therefore does well as a member of a busy family. Rat Terriers have a strong protective instinct and make good watchdogs too.
This is a breed that is intelligent and very eager to please, and therefore, easy to train. However, because Rat Terriers are intelligent dogs, they are easily bored and need to be kept mentally stimulated to keep them out of trouble.
The physical energy levels of Rat Terriers are also quite high and they need daily exercise. While indoor play may be enough for some Rat Terriers, these dogs do best if they get some outdoor activity every day such as a walk around the block or a play session with a ball. This breed adapts well to apartment living and is a reasonably good choice for first-time pet parents.
Rat Terriers have a moderate barking tendency. These dogs should always be kept on leash because they have a very strong prey drive and cannot resist chasing small animals like cats and squirrels.
In terms of grooming care, Rat Terriers have a short, smooth, dense coat that sheds moderate to high amounts. The coat requires 1-2 brushings every week to stay healthy and mat-free. Rat Terriers are not likely to drool too much.
If you want to bring home a Rat Terrier puppy, Puppy Hero makes it easy. We have the contact information for responsible Rat Terrier breeders, so that you can be sure you’re getting a happy, healthy puppy that was raised with love and attention.
