Rat Terrier

People usually look up Rat Terriers when they’re weighing up a small dog that can keep up with daily life—busy households, weekend walks, a bit of training, and a dog that’s present without being fragile. The details matter: size, energy level, and the sort of health care you’ll be committing to for the next decade or two.

Rat Terriers are American-bred working terriers: compact, quick, and built for movement. They tend to be bright and responsive, but they also notice everything, and they don’t do well when their days are empty. The notes below focus on what owners typically need to know early—what they’re like to live with, what they need, and what to watch for.

Rat Terrier at a glance

• Height: two recognised size divisions—Miniature 10–13 in (25–33 cm), Standard 13–18 in (33–46 cm) at the shoulder¹
• Weight: commonly around 10–25 lb (4.5–11.3 kg), with individuals varying by size and build²
• Coat: short, smooth, easy-care; usually a pied pattern (patches of colour with white)³
• Life expectancy: often quoted around 12–18 years³
• Temperament: alert, lively, people-oriented; typically keen to learn, with terrier persistence³

History and origin

The Rat Terrier developed in the United States as an all-purpose farm dog—small enough to live close to the house, hardy enough to work all day, and quick enough to hunt rats and other small pests. The breed’s story is closely tied to rural life in the early 20th century, when efficient vermin control mattered.³

You’ll sometimes see claims that Rat Terriers were used by the military to detect and dispose of land mines, or that President Theodore Roosevelt “preferred” the breed. These points are hard to support with reliable breed histories and tend to get repeated online without solid evidence. What reputable breed sources do commonly note is that the name “Rat Terrier” is often said to have been coined during Theodore Roosevelt’s era, but that’s different from proving a personal connection or a formal working role in wartime.³

Physical characteristics and appearance

A Rat Terrier is a small, athletic terrier with a smooth coat and a body built for efficient movement. They look neat and purposeful rather than delicate—light on their feet, quick to turn, and ready to sprint from stillness to full speed in a few strides.¹

There are two size categories used in conformation standards. Miniatures are up to 13 inches at the withers; Standards are over 13 inches and up to 18 inches. Weight isn’t fixed in the same strict way, but healthy adults often sit somewhere around the 10–25 lb range depending on height and build.^{1, 2}

Personality and temperament

Rat Terriers are typically alert, intelligent, and highly engaged with their surroundings. Many are affectionate with their people and enjoy being included in whatever is happening—especially if it involves movement, a toy, or a chance to use their nose.^{3, 4}

They’re terriers, though. That often shows up as persistence, quick reactions, and a strong interest in chasing small moving things. In day-to-day life, this can be delightful when channelled into training games, sport, and structured play; it can also become noisy or chaotic if boredom takes over.⁴

Training and exercise needs

These dogs tend to learn quickly, especially with reward-based training. Keep sessions short, practical, and frequent. A Rat Terrier that understands the rules—and gets regular chances to do something active—usually settles more easily indoors.⁴

Exercise needs vary with age and individual temperament, but most Rat Terriers do best with daily activity plus mental work. Useful options include:

• brisk walks with time to sniff
• short training sessions (recall, loose lead walking, polite greetings)
• food puzzles and scent games at home
• dog sports that suit quick, agile bodies (for example, agility or obedience-style work)⁴

Early, steady socialisation matters. Aim for calm exposure to different people, surfaces, sounds, and other dogs—without flooding them. The goal is a dog that can observe the world without needing to take charge of it.

Health issues to be aware of

Like many small breeds, Rat Terriers can be prone to dental disease, and it’s one of the easiest problems to underestimate. Plaque turns into calculus (tartar), gums inflame, and over time teeth can loosen and be lost.^{5, 6}

Orthopaedic issues are also worth keeping in mind. Small dogs can have a predisposition to kneecap instability (luxating patella), which may show up as an intermittent “skip” or brief three-legged gait on a run before things look normal again.⁷

Allergies and skin irritation are commonly reported in many breeds and mixed-breed dogs, including Rat Terriers, and can range from mild itch to recurrent ear and skin infections. If itching, redness, ear odour, or recurring sores become a pattern, a vet-guided plan usually saves time and discomfort in the long run.⁴

Simple health habits that help

• Dental care: daily toothbrushing is the gold standard for plaque control; professional cleaning is sometimes needed because calculus can’t be brushed off once it hardens.⁵
• Weight management: keep them lean; extra weight increases stress on joints and can worsen mobility issues over time.
• Routine checks: ask your vet to check knees, teeth, ears, and skin at regular visits.

Grooming and day-to-day maintenance

The coat is straightforward: a quick brush now and then to lift dead hair, and an occasional bath when they’re properly dirty. More important than coat care is the small-dog maintenance routine—nails kept short, ears checked, and teeth handled often enough that brushing becomes normal rather than a wrestling match.⁶

Rat Terriers as working dogs and companions

At heart, they’re working terriers—built to hunt, investigate, and keep moving. In a modern home, that working drive usually translates into a dog that thrives on tasks: training games, structured play, scent work, and outings where they can observe and explore safely.

They’re often at their best with owners who enjoy interacting with their dog every day, not just providing food and a quick walk. When they have enough to do, they tend to be lively, amusing companions. When they don’t, they’ll often invent their own activities.

Finding and choosing a Rat Terrier

If you’re looking for a Rat Terrier in Australia, you may find availability varies by state and by year. Take your time. Whether you choose a breeder or a rescue group, the aim is the same: a stable temperament, transparent health information, and a dog that’s been raised with thoughtful handling.

Useful checks include:

• meeting at least one parent where possible, and observing how the dogs respond to strangers and everyday handling
• asking what health screening is done in that line (particularly orthopaedic and dental awareness, plus any known breed-relevant concerns)
• seeing the living environment—clean, calm, with puppies exposed to normal household sounds
• choosing a puppy (or adult) whose energy level matches your home, not just the boldest one in the room

Final thoughts

A Rat Terrier is small, bright, and active—more “busy little farm dog” than “ornamental lap dog”. They can be a wonderful fit for people who enjoy training, movement, and a dog that stays engaged with the world. The main trade-offs are their need for daily stimulation and the usual small-dog commitments: dental care, sensible weight control, and paying attention to joints and skin if problems appear.^{3, 5, 7}

References

1. United Kennel Club (UKC) – Rat Terrier Breed Standard
2. American Kennel Club (AKC) – Breed Weight Chart (Rat Terrier)
3. Rat Terrier Club of America – About the Rat Terrier
4. PetMD – Rat Terrier
5. Merck Veterinary Manual (Professional) – Periodontal Disease in Small Animals
6. Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner) – Dental Disorders of Dogs
7. VCA Animal Hospitals – Luxating Patella in Dogs
8. Purina – Rat Terrier Dog Breed Information