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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!

  • Great with kids
  • Active breed
  • Alert watchdog

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
Rat-Terrier

About the Rat Terrier

The Rat Terrier is a delightful breed with a rich history that traces back to America in the early 1900s, where they were bred for their exceptional hunting abilities. These medium-sized dogs have been cherished for their versatility and energetic spirit, and they bring an infectious enthusiasm to any household. Their warm and affectionate nature makes them wonderful companions, especially for families with young children. With their friendly disposition towards both people and other pets, Rat Terriers often thrive in a bustling, social environment.

Read more about the Rat Terrier Show less

For those who enjoy an active lifestyle, a Rat Terrier will fit right in. With a moderate energy level, they require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Daily walks, playtime, or agility training are fantastic ways to meet their needs and keep their minds stimulated. While they are adaptable enough to live comfortably in an apartment, ensure they have ample opportunities for physical activity to prevent boredom and promote good behavior.

Grooming a Rat Terrier is relatively simple and typically requires weekly brushing to keep their coat looking its best. They do shed, but with consistent management, you’ll find that their grooming needs are manageable. Their keen intelligence shines through when it comes to training, making them quick learners who enjoy participating in new challenges. This trainability, combined with their affectionate personality and moderate barking tendency, ensures that they can be a delightful addition to your family. If you are considering welcoming a Rat Terrier into your home, you’re bound to find a loyal and loving companion who will bring joy and excitement into your life. Looking for a Rat Terrier in Petland Merrillville, IN? You may just find the perfect match.

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

  • Affection Very affectionate
  • Playfulness Very playful
  • With strangers Warms up
  • Territorial Somewhat
  • Prey drive High

Family & other pets

  • Young children Good
  • Older children Good
  • Other dogs Sociable
  • Cats With introductions

Energy & exercise

  • Energy Very high
  • Mental stimulation High

Training

  • Trainability Eager to please
  • Intelligence Very bright
  • Stubbornness A stubborn streak

Care & upkeep

  • Shedding Moderate
  • Drooling Minimal
  • Barking Moderate

Home life

  • Apartment living Adaptable
  • Time alone A few hours
  • Cold weather Average
  • Warm weather Comfortable

A good match for

  • First-time owners Good first dog
  • Senior owners Suitable
  • Running partner Good
  • Hiking Good
  • Therapy work Possible
  • Guarding Low

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!

Similar Breeds

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Hannah M
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This Petland was super clean and well taken care of! It wasn’t too busy so we were able to see a dog. The workers there were super attentive and kept checking in on us and helped us pick the right puppy to see. They had a few hamsters, ferrets, and Guinea pigs. This location does not have reptiles or fish. I highly recommend coming here for all your dog needs!
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Andrea Johnson
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This review is for Destiny M. She is next level fantastic. Her demeanor, patience, knowledge was unbelievable. Their prices for dogs seem high, but do your research and you will find them to be competitive. Destiny makes the entire experience worth it. Loved her!
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Earl Saverson,Jr
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Beautiful store.Have a nice selection of puppies to choose
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TekBuf
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Small pet store, great for grab and go. Friendly staff. I didn't need any real assistance.
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