| Rat Terriers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Rat Terrier personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Rat Terrier, including these excerpts:
"Both sturdy and elegant, and often described as having a dual personality, the Rat Terrier is a fearless, tenacious hunter in the field, yet a friendly, sensible companion at home.
Untiringly active and playful, he has a special passion for ball chasing. He must always be kept in a fenced yard or on-leash, for he is agile and impulsive -- also curious and clever, so be sure those fences are secure.
The Rat Terrier craves companionship, often using his paws to demand attention, and most are somewhat vocal, "talking" and grumbling, especially when ignored.
Generally good with other dogs and cats in his own family, the Rat Terrier does have a high prey drive and quick reflexes and will dispatch squeaky creatures with little effort.
Though he has a stubborn streak, this attentive, sensitive, head-cocking breed responds to discipline and to obedience training that utilizes food and praise.
Being respectable terriers, Rat Terriers love to tunnel and dig."
History
An American-made breed, the Rat Terrier descended from terriers brought over by English immigrants, crossed with various scenthounds and sighthounds. He is an outstanding ratter and squirrel hunter.
There is also a short-legged strain of Rat Terrier (often called a Teddy Roosevelt Terrier) and a hairless strain (often called an American Hairless Terrier).
Size
Miniature: 7-13 inches and 5-13 lbs; Standard: 13-18 inches and 13-36 lbs |
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Rat Terriers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- There are energetic Rat Terriers, and placid Rat Terriers.
- Hard-headed Rat Terriers, and sweet-natured Rat Terriers.
- Serious Rat Terriers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Rat Terriers, and Rat Terriers who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Rat Terrier puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...
- Comes in small to medium sizes
- Has a sleek, easy-to-groom coat
- Is very energetic and playful
- Makes a keen watchdog
- Is generally good with other dogs and cats in his own family
- Is hardy and healthy and lives a long time
A Rat Terrier may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- The dynamic terrier temperament (see full description below)
- Providing enough exercise and activities to keep them busy
- Suspiciousness toward strangers when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals -- chasing instincts
- Stubbornness
- Shedding
- Digging holes
- Barking
- Squabbles amongst competing breed organizations, each with differing opinions about the breed
A Rat Terrier may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Rat Terrier... |
My major concerns would be:
- The dynamic terrier temperament. Most terrier breeds are remarkably similar. The same words are used over and over -- quick to bark, quick to chase, lively, bossy, feisty, scrappy, clever, independent, stubborn, persistent, impulsive, intense.
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Rat Terriers are active go-getters. They MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and to use their busy minds to do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing.
| Terriers were never intended to be simply household pets. I strongly recommend that you get your Rat Terrier involved in obedience classes at the intermediate or advanced level, in agility (an obstacle course for dogs), or in an earth dog club (terriers dig and tunnel after small critters who are secured in a sturdy cage so they can't be harmed). |
- Animal aggression. Some Rat Terriers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs. Most Rat Terriers also have strong instincts to chase and seize small fleeing creatures.
| Terriers cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that runs. |
- Fence security. Many terriers are clever escape artists who will go over or under fences in search of adventure. You may need higher fences than you might imagine for their small size. You may also need to sink wire into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging. Gates should have the highest quality locks.
- Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Rat Terriers need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become suspiciousness, which is difficult to live with and could even lead to defensive biting.
- Barking. Terriers are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. If you work all day and have close neighbors, terriers are not the best choice for you. For the same reason, terriers should NEVER be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. To make matters worse, some terriers have high-pitched barks that can set your teeth on edge.
- Mind of their own. Rat Terriers are not Golden Retrievers. Though more amenable to training than many other terriers, they must still be taught at an early age that they are not the rulers of the world. The toughness that makes them suited to killing vermin can frustrate you when you try to teach them anything. Terriers can be stubborn and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Rat Terrier to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Rat Terrier Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Defensive reactions. If you need to physically chastise a terrier, and you go beyond what THEY believe is a fair correction, terriers (as a group) are more likely than other breeds to growl or snap. It may be because they were bred to become more fierce when their prey fought back, i.e. terriers are apt to "return pain" if they "receive pain." As an obedience instructor, I'm always extra careful when putting my hands on any terrier for a correction.
| I do NOT recommend terriers for small children. Many terriers will not tolerate any nonsense from little life forms whom they consider to be below themselves in importance. Many terriers are quick to react to teasing, and even to the normal clumsiness that comes with small children (accidental squeezing of their ears or pulling of whiskers or stepping on their paw). Many terriers are possessive of their food and toys and will defend these from all comers, including children. |
- Shedding. For such a shorthaired dog, Rat Terriers shed more than you might think. Their short hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting.
- Multiple clubs. There are several Rat Terrier clubs, each claiming to be the only "true" organization for the Rat Terrier in the United States. Each group supports its own standard for appearance, size, and temperament. Unfortunately, political backbiting abounds and you'll have to do a lot of research to pick your way through a minefield of claims, counterclaims, and accusations, some valid, some petty.
| If you're considering an adult Rat Terrier... |
There are plenty of adult Rat Terrier who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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