Rat Terriers were originally bred to hunt and control rat populations on farms and homesteads. Their agility, speed, and great sense of smell make them excellent at rat hunting. They’re still used for their hunting skills to this day, as well as excelling in various dog sports.

Rat Terriers can live to be 12 to 18 years old. However, individual lifespans can vary based on factors such as genetics, diet, exercise, healthcare, and overall lifestyle. Providing proper care, regular veterinary check-ups, a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight can contribute to helping dogs of all breeds live long and healthy lives.

Rat Terriers typically reach their full size at between nine and 12 months. It’s important to provide proper nutrition, exercise, and healthcare during their growth stages to ensure they develop into healthy adult dogs. Regular veterinary check-ups can also help monitor their growth and overall well-being.

Yes, Rat Terriers bark as they were bred to be guard dogs and vermin-catchers, so they are instinctual alarm barkers and can be fond of their own voice. As with any dog, they can be discouraged from barking as frequently with proper training and exercise.

Yes, Rat Terriers are good family pets. They’re active, alert, and truly crave human companionship, which makes them wonderful family members. They do need a good amount of exercise, so an active family is best. This breed loves to please their humans and thrives on praise.

Yes, Rat Terriers can be good with cats, but early and proper socialization is key, as the breed’s prey drive is high, and their instinct is to chase smaller animals. Of course, each dog (and cat) has their own preferences and temperament, but you can feel fairly confident your Rat Terrier, if properly socialized to your cat and introduced at a young age, should get along just fine.

Yes, Rat Terriers tend to do well with other dogs their size or larger. Early socialization and training is a must. Rat Terriers have strong prey drives, so they should never be allowed off-leash, as most will not be able to resist chasing strange cats, other dogs, or squirrels.

Yes, Rat Terriers are known for being smart. They are quick learners and often eager to please their pet parents, which makes them highly trainable. They excel at obedience training, agility, and even advanced tricks.

Rat Terriers can make excellent apartment dogs as they don’t require as much space as larger breeds and are easily trainable. They are known for their adaptability and sociability and may appreciate the close bond apartment living can offer with their families. Just be sure to give your Rat Terrier lots of exercise to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.

Yes, Rat Terriers are easy to train as they are intelligent and thrive on pleasing their pet parents. Just keep in mind that even if a certain dog breed is known to be easy to train, teaching a dog requires a long-term commitment.

Yes, Rat Terriers have an alert nature and are often quick to bark to alert their parents to any potential intruders or unusual activity around the home.

Yes, Rat Terriers can be good with kids, but early and proper socialization with kids is key for Rat Terriers, as they can be territorial with their toys around smaller beings. They are typically fearless and energetic, which means they can make wonderful playmates to older kids, but pet parents will need to train them to behave gently with children, and vice-versa.

As with any breed, it is recommended that your child is always supervised when interacting with your Rat Terrier to keep both the child and dog safe.

Rat Terriers are an incredibly sturdy breed with a long lifespan, partly because of the vast genetic pool they come from. Like most dogs, they may end up with one of the following conditions: 

• Hip and/or elbow dysplasia: Hip and elbow dysplasia are two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. They are similar diseases in which either the hip or elbow joint has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from properly meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Unlike in hip dysplasia, where the main problem is joint instability, the abnormalities seen in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis.

• Patellar luxation: Also known as slipped kneecaps, patellar luxation is a common problem in many dog breeds. It occurs when slight abnormalities cause the knee joint to slide in and out of place, which can cause pain and occasional lameness. Surgical treatment is available for severe cases, although many dogs lead normal lives without treatment.

• Others: Incorrect bite, where the jaw is slightly deformed and causes misalignment in the jaw (similar to an over or underbite in humans); and allergies.

No, Rat Terriers are not hypoallergenic. However, regular grooming practices such as brushing and bathing can help reduce allergens on a dog’s coat and skin.