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Avoid flea markets, backyard breeders, classified ads, and pet stores like the plague. They only perpetuate the horrific puppy mills that flood the market with poor-quality pets. Spend a few dollars more. Find responsible breeders who take pride in the quality of their dogs.
In Suffolk, England, a Rat Terrier named Billy killed 2,501 rats in an infested barn in only 7 hours. That’s a lot of rats.
They usually adapt well to any situation. The dogs do well in apartments and condos as long as they get their daily walks and runs. And Rat Terriers thrive on love and attention and return it tenfold.
The only downside of the Rat is that because it was initially bred to be hunting dogs, they are diggers, so don’t plan to toss him or them out in the backyard unsupervised for extended periods. If you’re struggling with problem behavior like digging, get pet advice from a trainer.
Provide a digging area or pit
Rat Terriers love to dig and tunnel. Provide an area or digging box for them so they can dig to their heart’s content. You can get a sandbox and fill it with sand and hide their toys or a bone in it for them to find. Just be aware that if the weather is warm the sand may get hot. You can wet it down with the hose if it is. For more ideas on how to provide for your Rat Terriers digging instinct read “Dog toys for diggers“.
These smart little dogs, in fact, all dogs need an outlet for their minds. If they are not provided the opportunity to challenge their minds they will come up with their own ways to achieve this. This usually manifests itself in bad behavior such as excessive barking, digging, escaping and other destructive behaviors. Read “Mental stimulation and mind enrichment for dogs” to learn about the 6 types or categories of mind stimulation a mental enrichment and some great ideas to provide this.
Some ways to provide mental stimulation and enrichment include;
Puzzle toys are ideal for dogs like the Rat Terrier to challenge their minds and test their problem-solving skills. Due to their high intelligence, try to find puzzle toys that are a bit more challenging as they tend to work these out quite quickly. Check out “Top puzzle toys for dogs” for my top picks.
In addition to puzzle toys, Kongs for dogs are another great way to get your Rat Terrier to solve a problem and challenge the mind. Read “How to use a Kong for dogs“.
Rat Terriers have a keen nose. Playing scenting and nose games helps to provide mental stimulation. Read “12 Scenting and nose games for dogs” for some ideas.
Provide your Rat Terrier with good strong chew toys. Chewing is a great way to keep them busy. In addition, chewing releases endorphins and helps to relax a dog. Many dogs hold stress in the jaw. Read “Best dog chew toys” to learn more.
Teaching new commands and tricks is also excellent to provide mental enrichment. A popular game that involves learning is to teach them the names of their toys. Dogs can learn hundreds of words and names.
Turn mealtimes into an opportunity for your Rat Terrier to get a mental challenge and enrichment. Instead of feeding them from a bowl, give them activities that require them to work for their food. To learn more about feeding enrichment for dogs see here.
Environmental enrichment is the process of making a dog’s living space more engaging and interesting. To learn more about environmental enrichment for dogs see here.
Just as you can not provide sufficient exercise for your dog, you can over do it.
Rat Terriers can go hard and keep going, often not knowing when to stop. With any dog, it is possible to over-exercise them. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a dog that has overdone it. Read “Overexercised dog symptoms” to learn more.
The exercise suggestions above relate to a healthy adult Rat Terrier. The exercise needs of a puppy are quite different. With puppies, their bones, muscle, and joints are still growing and developing.
Overly strenuous walks are not necessary and in fact, could possibly cause harm. Any activity that is high impact on the joints should also be avoided.
The best exercise for a young puppy is free play with age-appropriate toys.
Socializing with other puppies or friendly adult dogs is a great way to burn some of that puppy energy along with teaching them the social skills they need.
As your Rat Terrier puppy gets older you can take them for short informal walks allowing them to sniff and explore and get used to being on a leash. Puppies under three months probably haven’t had all their vaccinations so shouldn’t be walked in public. Check with your vet when it is alright to venture out to the park or street.
The general rule of thumb for walking a puppy is around 5 minutes for every month of age. So, for example for a 4-month-old puppy, a walk of 15 minutes to 20 minutes is enough. Monitor your puppy on the walk for signs such as lagging behind, lying down, or panting. End the walk if they seem too tired.
Mental stimulation is important for puppies and can tire them just as much as physical activity. For more on mental stimulation for puppies see here.
For more on exercise for your Rat Terrier puppy read “How to exercise your puppy”
Common Health Issues
Though generally a healthy, long-lived breed, Rat Terriers may be prone to breed-specific health concerns, including:
You can minimize serious health concerns in a Rat Terrier by purchasing him from a reputable breeder who engages in responsible breeding practices, and through screening for common diseases and conditions.
Rat Terrier – Top 10 Facts
The Rat Terrier is an all-American breed that was developed to be a feisty hunter and affectionate companion. Their small size makes them quick and adept at rooting out rats, but also makes them a portable dog. They are a curious, fun, and lively companion for farms and families alike. You can expect a small and sturdy adventurer in this breed. Read on to learn more about the Rat Terrier.
The Rat Terrier comes in two sizes, miniature and standard. Both are tough ratters and love to work. You can often find them running around your backyard in search of small furry rodents to dig out.
Like many other terriers, the Rat Terrier can be independent and strong-willed. But give them some guidance and they will quickly learn what is right and wrong. They are affectionate with those they know and love spending time playing games with their family.
Their compact body is well muscled but still lean and wiry. The big pointed ears of this breed are always alert and listening for potential signs of trouble. Their smooth coat is short and dense, coming in various shades of pied, meaning patched, patterning.
These generally hardy dogs live an average of 12 – 18 years, but certain health problems may shorten their lifespan. Always work with a reputable breeder for the best chances of getting a healthy puppy.
The miniature variety of Rat Terrier stands 10 – 13 inches tall and the standard is 13 – 18 inches and they weigh 10 – 25 pounds.
The Rat Terrier is a very protective dog. They carefully, sometimes jealously, guard over their families and properties and are especially good at keeping vermin out of the way. They take some time to warm up to strangers but can be great friends once they are introduced.
The Rat Terrier is a smart and highly trainable breed. They are quick to learn and love spending time with their owners and are always eager to train.
Positive training methods are the best way to approach teaching your dog. Treats are an especially effective training tool for this breed. They are often eager to learn but if you find your dog in need of some extra motivation treats are a great place to start.
As a high-energy breed, games and canine sports are also a great way to train your dog. This will provide them with training, an outlet for their energy, and bonding time with you.
Early socialization is also an important aspect of training for this breed. This will help them grow into well-mannered dogs.
Like many terriers, the Rat Terrier is full of energy and loves to move. Whether this is playing with you, digging bottomless holes in the backyard, or seeking out small vermin, this breed is always looking for a job. Providing them with plenty of energy outlets everyday will help keep them calm and happy.
If you are willing to put in enough playtime, this breed can also be a snuggly and affectionate dog that enjoys lazing around with more sedentary families. Just know that they need to exercise to get to this point.