--- title: "Rat Terrier" id: "191540" type: "breeds" slug: "rat-terrier" published_at: "2022-07-02T04:19:11+00:00" modified_at: "2026-10-17T04:35:25+00:00" url: "https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/rat-terrier/" markdown_url: "https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/rat-terrier.md" excerpt: "The Rat Terrier is a delightful companion with a rich history rooted in American farming, bred initially for its energetic and persistent nature to hunt vermin and help on the farm. If you’re looking for a charming, playful addition to..." taxonomy_breed_group: - "Terrier Group" taxonomy_breed_size: - "Small" --- [Back to Breeds](https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/) Medium 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](/puppies-for-sale/) below! - Great with kids - Active breed - Alert watchdog - Low maintenance [Ask about Rat Terrier puppies](#pb-ask) 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. - Adult weight 10–25 lbs - Height 10–18 in - Lifespan 12–18 years - Exercise 60 min a day ![Rat Terrier](https://www.petlandashland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rat-terrier-1-600x600.jpg) Share[https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petlandashland.com%2Fbreed%2Frat-terrier%2F](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petlandashland.com%2Fbreed%2Frat-terrier%2F) [https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petlandashland.com%2Fbreed%2Frat-terrier%2F&description=Rat%20Terrier%20puppies](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petlandashland.com%2Fbreed%2Frat-terrier%2F&description=Rat%20Terrier%20puppies) ## About the Rat Terrier [Stay Connected Via Google News Follow Us For The Latest Pet Updates and Guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=petlandashland.com) The Rat Terrier is a delightful companion with a rich history rooted in American farming, bred initially for its energetic and persistent nature to hunt vermin and help on the farm. If you’re looking for a charming, playful addition to your family, you’ll love that these medium-sized dogs have a cheerful temperament that makes them great with children and other pets. With their loving disposition and strong bond with family members, Rat Terriers are known to be affectionate and loyal, making them excellent family dogs. Read more about the Rat Terrier Show less With an energy level that keeps you on your toes, this breed thrives on regular exercise and playtime, which helps manage their lively spirit while keeping them mentally stimulated. You can expect to give your Rat Terrier weekly grooming sessions, which are relatively simple, as their shedding level is manageable. This makes them a fitting choice if you’re living in an apartment or a smaller space, as they adapt well to various living environments, provided they get their daily dose of exercise and mental challenges. Rat Terriers showcase impressive trainability and intelligence, making them eager learners who excel with positive reinforcement techniques. Their barking tendency is moderate, often alerting you to new happenings around the home. If you’re ready to welcome a spirited, loving friend into your life, consider finding a Rat Terrier at Petland Ashland, Kentucky, where you can meet these affectionate little bundles of joy firsthand. [Stay Connected Via Google News Follow Us For The Latest Pet Updates and Guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=petlandashland.com) ## 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 Always game - With strangers Friendly - 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 Quick to learn - Intelligence Very bright - Stubbornness A stubborn streak ### Care & upkeep - Shedding Moderate - Drooling None to speak of - Barking Vocal ### Home life - Apartment living Good - Time alone A few hours - Cold weather Needs a coat - 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 GroomingWeekly brushing Grooming costLow Monthly foodAverage Outdoor spaceA yard is recommended Allergy friendlyNot 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 ![Airedale Terrier](https://www.petlandashland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/airedale-terrier-1-300x300.jpg) ### [Airedale Terrier](https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/airedale-terrier/) ![Australian Terrier](https://www.petlandashland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/australian-terrier-1-300x300.jpg) ### [Australian Terrier](https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/australian-terrier/) ![Border Terrier](https://www.petlandashland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/border-terrier-1-300x300.jpg) ### [Border Terrier](https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/border-terrier/) ![Bull Terrier](https://www.petlandashland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/bull-terrier-1-300x300.jpg) ### [Bull Terrier](https://www.petlandashland.com/breed/bull-terrier/) ## Ready to Meet Them? Call us to check current availability or to arrange a visit with a Rat Terrier. - [Ashland, KY (606) 329-0357](tel:6063290357) ## Ask About Rat Terrier Puppies Our pet counselors are ready to help you find your new best friend. "*" indicates required fields ``` Petland Ashland 750 Google reviews Write a review Posted on Google Robinlee Eversole Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Staff is very friendly and helpful. It's clean and well cared for, we love to see whats new Posted on Google Katelyn Smith Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I loved petland they helped me so much with getting my summer she is so loving her life with getting spoiled lol and sleeping in bed with her mommy Posted on Google Kathy Horsley Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience! Friendly & knowledgeable staff. Posted on Google Ha Ha Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kylee was SUPER helpful today with my visit. I had some questions about getting a ferret and she helped me all the way! Definitely would recommend asking for Kylee when you have any pet needs! Posted on Google katelyn clark Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jalyn is a wonderful and such a pleasant worker at ashland Petland Posted on Google Deb Newsome Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Good experience. ```