Rat Terrier
The all-American farmhand — quick paws, sharp eyes, and a barn cleared by lunchtime.
Vital stats
| Size | Small · 25–46 cm (two sizes) |
| Weight | 5–11 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–18 years |
| Energy | High — 45–60 min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate, seasonal |
| Coat | Short, smooth · white with black, tan, blue or red patches |
| Group | Terrier · AKC |
| Origin | United States |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
The Rat Terrier by the numbers
The Rat Terrier facts owners search for most — price, lifespan, weight, shedding and colours, in one place.
Widely bred, so you can usually find a litter from a registered breeder without a long wait. Ongoing costs stay modest — it eats little and routine vet care sits at the lower end.
We don't quote a single figure: the real price swings with breeder, region, bloodline and health testing — and a rescue costs a fraction of a breeder's litter. Adopting is almost always the cheapest route.
Temperament
Built by American farmers from a practical blend of terriers and small hounds, the Rat Terrier kept homesteads vermin-free and families entertained. It kept the terrier's speed and prey drive but gained an unusual willingness to listen — sensitive, perceptive and playful with its people, watchful with strangers, and always tracking the small and scurrying.
Habits & quirks
The excavation project
Digging is heritage work — expect earthworks wherever a rodent once breathed.
Under-blanket burrowing
A short coat and a den instinct mean it sleeps beneath the covers, not on them.
The freeze-and-stare
Mid-walk it stops dead, ears up, locked onto movement you can't even see.
Two-speed living
Full-throttle zoomies, then hours folded into your lap — nothing in between.
Care
| Exercise | An hour of daily activity split between walks, play and free running; it excels at agility and barn hunt. |
| Containment | A talented digger, jumper and squeezer-through-gaps — check fences low and high. |
| Training | Quick and eager for a terrier; keep it positive and start recall work early, before prey drive matures. |
| Grooming | A weekly rubber-brush session and the occasional bath — one of dogdom's easiest coats. |
Life expectancy
This breed has a typical life expectancy of 12–18 years.
Similar breeds
Breeds with a similar build and background — worth a look if this one isn't quite the fit.
Breeds that look like this
Common questions
Are Rat Terriers good family dogs?
Yes — they're affectionate, playful and sturdy enough for respectful children. They tend to reserve judgement on strangers until introduced.
Can Rat Terriers live with cats or small pets?
With a confident household cat, often yes if raised together. Rodents and rabbits are a different matter — the name is a job description.
Are Rat Terriers easy to train?
Unusually so for a terrier — they're sensitive and keen to work with you. Harsh handling backfires; short, upbeat sessions get the best from them.
Does the Rat Terrier shed a lot?
Moderately. The Rat Terrier sheds a fair amount, steadily through the year with heavier seasonal patches. A weekly brush keeps most of the loose hair off your floors and clothes.
Is the Rat Terrier hypoallergenic?
Not really. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, and the Rat Terrier's shedding coat releases plenty of the dander that sets off allergies. If someone at home is allergic, this isn't the easiest breed to live with — spend time around one first.