Border Terrier vs Rat Terrier

Compare Border Terrier and Rat Terrier side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.

Characteristic

Border Terrier

Rat Terrier

Breed type

Purebred

Height

28 – 40 cm

25 – 46 cm

Weight

5 – 7 kg

5 – 10 kg

Life expectancy

12 – 14 years

15 – 18 years

Child friendly

3/5

Energy level

3/5

Intelligence

4/5

3/5

Trainability

4/5

3/5

Health

4/5

Grooming needs

2/5

1/5

Shedding

3/5

Barking level

3/5

4/5

Aggressiveness

3/5

Characteristics

Border Terrier

Super smart

Low grooming

Easy to train

Tiny

Rat Terrier

Low grooming

Small

Summary

About Border Terrier

Small, sturdy terrier originally bred on the England–Scotland border to hunt foxes. Affectionate, bonded to family, yet independent with strong prey drive. Needs 1–2 hours of daily exercise, secure fencing, and kind training. Wiry, weather-resistant coat needs brushing and occasional hand stripping.

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4 puppies for sale

About Rat Terrier

The Rat Terrier is an American‑bred, small to medium, athletic farm and vermin dog. Intelligent and energetic, it thrives on training, exercise, and close family contact. With a short, low‑maintenance coat in many pied colors, it suits active homes and excels in various dog sports.

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0 puppies for sale