Rat Terrier Temperament
Rat Terriers are known for being lively, inquisitive, and alert. They fit the mold of your typical terrier and possess a number of qualities often seen across these breeds.
But, they can be stubborn; this trait is inherent to a lot of terriers.
Equally, they are sensitive, smart, polite, and attentive. If your dog acknowledges you as his leader, they will pay attention to you if you have something to say.
Rat Terriers are curious and love to explore; so they must be monitored and kept within the boundaries of your home.
They have acquired the title, escape artists, for their abilities to leave and go wander.
These dogs are excellent at solving problems, so games that encourage mental stimulation are ideal.
Ratties are athletic and love to play.
When owning one, you will notice how they crave your attention; they love all the attention they can get!
They are generally well-behaved around other dogs and other pets that they have become accustomed to and live in the home.
However, they do have a high prey drive.
The quick reflexes of this breed allow them to catch small creatures with little effort.
In fact, it is believed that Rat Terriers acquired their name for their ability to control rodent populations – in the White House by Teddy Roosevelt!
Ultimately, Rat Terriers make a good family pet. They are perceptive and are able to accurately understand and respond to their family’s moods.
Beyond this, they want to please their owners, and will even follow them around the home to be in their company.
What Can Make Rat Terriers Aggressive?
Rat Terriers are generally an affectionate and loving dog; with a keen desire to stay in the good books of their owners.
However, there are certain situations and scenarios where aggression can be more likely. These are known as triggers and we will discuss the main ones of this breed below:
3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Rat Terrier
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Easy to groom – Provide a monthly bath and an occasional brushing with a rubber comb. More frequent brushing may be needed if the dog is shedding in the spring and fall. | Stubborn – Rat terriers can be stubborn, so you need to be a good leader. |
| Intelligent – Rat terriers are very smart. | Strong prey instincts – Be sure to socialize this dog well with other animals because it has a strong prey instinct, especially for little animals. |
| Loyal – Rat terriers are very loyal and take their job of protecting you seriously. | No nonsense – This breed often has trouble tolerating nonsense, which means that it may not be the best dog for families with young children. |
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Standard rat terriers stand between 13-and-18-inches tall at the shoulder. The dog should be slightly longer than he or she is tall, and it should have long legs. There is little difference between the size of a dog and a bitch. Puppies are usually born in litters of five to seven pups. These pups may take up to 15 months to mature mentally and 24 months to gain their total weight and height.
| Height (Male) | 13 to 18 inches tall |
| Height (Female) | 13 to 18 inches tall |
| Weight (male) | Typically 12 to 35 lbs. |
| Weight (female) | Typically 12 to 35 lbs |
Rat terriers are usually healthy dogs, but there are some common health issues that you may want to prepare for if you add one to your family. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball of the hip no longer fits properly in the socket. It can affect older rat terriers’ quality of life as they have a hard time getting around. Another issue that may occur is Patellar luxation, which means that the kneecap becomes loose. Additionally, rat terriers can have Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, where the blood does not circulate properly to the hip joint, and the bone dies. Remember that getting a mixed breed animal, like those crossed with mini breeds, can add additional health problems. In some rat terriers, the most common health issues are: