Rat Terrier

The Rat Terrier is what happens when farmers want a dog that works hard all day and then sleeps on the bed at night. It was put together in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries from Fox Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Whippets, Beagles and other working dogs, and the result is a small, fast, sharp-eyed terrier with a sense of humour. It is still rare in the UK, but in North America it has a loyal following, and it is searched for in huge numbers by people who have met one and fallen for it.

Start with the good news. Compared with many terriers, the Rat Terrier is genuinely easy to train. It is food-motivated, it watches its owner closely and it enjoys short, upbeat sessions. Owners regularly take them into agility, scentwork, trick training and barn hunt, a sport that recreates the breed's original job with safely caged rats hidden in straw. A Rat Terrier that gets this kind of mental work tends to be a pleasure to live with: affectionate, cuddly and keen to be wherever you are.

Now the honest part. A Rat Terrier is a terrier. Its prey drive is high, and squirrels, cats, rabbits and small pets can trigger a sprint that no recall will stop in the moment. It digs, sometimes impressively, and it can climb and jump better than its size suggests. Many owners discover the hard way that a standard garden fence is a puzzle rather than a barrier. If you have a garden, check every gap, check under the gate and never leave a young Rat Terrier outside unsupervised. Off-lead walks belong in safe, enclosed areas until recall is very reliable, and even then wildlife can win.

Energy is the other thing to plan for. This is not a lapdog that needs a stroll to the corner. Most adults need an hour or more of activity a day, mixing proper walks with games that ask the dog to think. A bored Rat Terrier invents its own entertainment, and that usually involves barking at the window, excavating the lawn or unpicking the sofa. A tired, mentally satisfied one is calm and settled indoors, which is why many do surprisingly well in flats when the owner is committed.

The breed comes in two broad sizes. Miniatures stand under about 33 cm and usually weigh four to six kilograms; standards stand roughly 33 to 46 cm and weigh up to around eleven kilograms. Some registries also recognise a toy size, and the Decker type is a larger, heavier line. Size changes the practicalities a little, but temperament is similar across them all.

With children the Rat Terrier is usually playful and robust enough for sensible family life, though very young children and a small, fast dog need supervision on both sides. With other dogs it is often sociable if raised well, but it can be bossy, and same-sex tension is not unknown. Life with a cat is possible when the two are raised together, but small caged pets such as hamsters, rats and guinea pigs are a poor mix with a dog that was literally bred to catch them.

Grooming is the easy part. The coat is short and smooth, it sheds moderately all year and a weekly rub with a rubber mitt keeps it in good order. Teeth need more attention than the coat: like many small breeds, Rat Terriers are prone to dental disease, so daily brushing from puppyhood is one of the best gifts you can give. Their short coat also means they feel the cold, and a well-fitted jumper on winter walks is practical rather than fussy.

Health is generally good, and long lives of fifteen years or more are common. The main concerns are patellar luxation, allergies and skin irritation, dental disease, and some hip problems. Primary lens luxation, an inherited eye condition that can cause sudden pain and blindness, occurs in the breed and has a DNA test, so ask for results on both parents. Good breeders also check patellas and hips, and they will happily tell you how long their dogs live.

The Rat Terrier is not for people who want a quiet, sedentary companion or who cannot supervise a dog around small animals. It is a superb choice for active owners who enjoy training, want a small dog with real stamina and a big personality, and are prepared to outthink a clever little escape artist. Give it work, games and company, and it gives back years of cheerful, devoted friendship.