Dog
Rat Terrier Champions
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Pronunciation:
rat ter-ee-er
Breed Description:
The Rat Terrier breed of dog is a small sized dog that should be well-balanced with a strong body that is robust and athletic. This should be a sturdy dog without being over weight and they should have a wedge shaped head. The ears are usually large and erect, however, some are carried folded forwards. The tail should be medium in length and carried high, although it is commonly docked.
The coat of the Rat Terrier should be short and close to the skin. It should densely cover the dog and it should have a slightly coarse texture. They were commonly found in black and tan, however, they can also be blue and white, red and white, red, spotted, sable,red brindle and chocolate.
Temperament:
The Rat Terrier breed of dog is an intelligent breed of dog that is known for having a strong temperament and energetic. This is a breed that knows its a terrier and they love to chase, dig and bark. They can be very stubborn at times but their high intelligence usually makes them easy to train. The breed is usually very good with children of all ages, however, they can be too active for younger children. The breed does well with other dogs, especially if raised with them, however, they do have a strong prey drive and are not recommended for homes with smaller, non-canine pets.
Height:
There are three different sizes for the Rat Terrier and the average height for them are; Standard: 14 to 23 inches, Miniature: 8 to 14 inches and Toy: 7 to 8 inches.
Weight:
There are three different sizes for the Rat Terrier and the average weight for them are; Standard: 12 to 35 pounds, Miniature: 6 to 8 pounds and Toy: 4 to 6 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Rat Terrier breed of dog is a very hardy breed of dog and has no known health problems at this time.
Living Conditions:
The Rat Terrier breed of dog can do very well in apartments if they are exercised properly, however, the ideal living condition is a home with a large fenced yard. In addition, while they do enjoy being outside, they should not be an outdoor dog; this is a breed that loves being with their owners.
Exercise:
The Rat Terrier breed of dog is a very energetic breed of dog and will need between 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day to stay healthy and happy. It is important to note that the breed will become very destructive if they are bored so exercise is very important.
Life Expectancy:
13 to 18 years
Grooming:
The Rat Terrier breed of dog is a very easy breed to groom and they require little to no maintenance to keep their coats healthy. On average, you should expect to brush your dog on a weekly basis to remove dead hairs and dirt. A wipe down with a damp cloth will keep them clean and they should only be bathed when it is absolutely necessary. Ears should be cleaned on a regular basis and nails should be clipped once or twice a month.
Origin:
The Rat Terrier breed of dog was develped in England and can be traced back to the early 1800's when the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Manchester Terrier were crossed in an effort to create a tenacious and spirited ratting breed. The breed quickly found its way to the United States where it was further developed by crossing into the lines the Chihuahua, Whippet and Beagle, which accounts for the different sizes of Rat Terrier available today. The breed caught the attention of Theodore Roosevelt and it was from him that the breed earned its name. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
