¶Table of Contents
¶Quick Facts
The Rat Terrier is a small-to-medium-sized American terrier with plenty of energy, a strong prey drive and an eagerness to work with its owner. The breed was developed as a farm dog to control rats and other vermin. Today it is mainly kept as a companion, but its working background remains clear in how quickly it notices movement and how readily it searches, chases and solves problems.
- Origin: United States
- Breed group: Group 3, Terriers
- Purpose: Originally a farm dog and ratter; now mainly an active companion
- Size: Miniature 25.5–33 cm; Standard over 33 and up to 46 cm at the withers
- Weight: The breed standard gives no weight range. The dog should be well balanced, with a weight appropriate to its size and build.
- Coat: Short, close-lying, smooth and glossy
- Colour: Pied, meaning coloured patches combined with white; several colours and markings are permitted
- Temperament: Observant, affectionate, energetic and quick to learn, with a marked prey drive
- Recognition: Recognised by the Nordic Kennel Union (NKU), but not by the FCI
The Rat Terrier is best suited to someone who wants an active partnership with their dog and is prepared to work on prey drive, recall and settling. Its small body should not be mistaken for modest exercise and training needs.
¶Appearance & Coat
The Rat Terrier is compact, strong and agile without being coarse. It is only slightly longer than it is tall, and its overall appearance should suggest speed, power and balance. There are two official size divisions: Miniature at 25.5–33 cm and Standard at over 33 and up to 46 cm. The breed standard gives no ideal weight, so proportions, body condition and movement say more than a number on the scales.
The head is wedge-shaped and the expression alert. The ears may be erect, semi-erect or button, and all three are equally acceptable. The tail may be naturally short or naturally long. A long tail tapers and reaches approximately to the hock, but the standard does not attach importance to length itself. Tail docking is prohibited in Sweden.
The coat is short, close-lying, smooth and glossy. The typical pattern is pied: clearly defined coloured patches combined with white. Permitted colours include black or chocolate, red, apricot, blue, fawn, tan and lemon, with or without tan points. White is always part of the pattern, and there is considerable colour variation.
The short coat is easy to inspect. Brush it when necessary to remove loose hair and dirt, checking the skin, ears, paws, claws and teeth at the same time. Bathe the dog when it is dirty rather than following a fixed timetable. The amount an individual Rat Terrier sheds varies between dogs and through the year.
¶Temperament & Personality
The Rat Terrier is observant, affectionate and full of energy, yet quick to learn when training is clear and motivating. It rapidly takes in what is happening around it and may be reserved with strangers. The breed standard describes it as generally friendly with other dogs, but individuals and encounters differ.
The strong prey drive is the most important everyday breed trait to understand. A Rat Terrier may react extremely quickly to a rodent, bird or other small animal. Not every dog behaves in the same way, but a prospective owner should plan on the basis that prey drive may be strong. Training reduces risk and improves teamwork, but it does not remove the dog's inherited instincts.
Early socialisation and gradual exposure to different environments help the dog become comfortable with people, dogs, sounds and new settings. This work should continue as the dog grows and at a pace at which it feels secure. Create calm experiences, allow more distance when needed and reward the behaviour you want to see again.
The breed can suit a committed first-time owner, but it is not an obviously easy first choice. Its owner needs to enjoy training, prevent the dog from chasing small animals and help an alert dog cope with excitement and settle.
¶Training & Exercise
The Rat Terrier needs physical activity, mental problem-solving and training with its owner every day. No fixed number of minutes suits every dog. Judge the level by the dog's recovery, body condition, concentration and ability to settle.
Combine walks with scent work, searches, engagement exercises, problem-solving and controlled play. Increase physical demands and difficulty gradually, particularly for a growing dog, and adjust activities to age, fitness and health.
Reward-based, progressive training makes good use of the breed's speed and willingness to work. Give early priority to three skills:
- Recall: begin in easy settings and use a long line wherever the dog may set off after wildlife.
- Disengaging and changing focus: reward the dog for leaving a scent, movement or object and turning back to you.
- Settling: teach the dog to rest in a designated place and to recover after activity.
Any enclosed area must be secure for the individual dog and the site. There is no universal fence height that guarantees a Rat Terrier will remain inside. Check openings, gaps beneath the fence and gates, and do not leave the dog unattended simply because the garden is fenced.
Swedish law also requires particular care around wildlife. From 1 March to 20 August, dogs must be prevented from running loose in areas where game is present. During the rest of the year, dogs not being used for hunting must be prevented from driving or pursuing game. A dog with a strong prey drive will often need a lead or long line until its recall works despite major distractions.
¶Health
It is not possible to say with confidence how common different health problems are in Swedish Rat Terriers. The Swedish Kennel Club states that too few dogs are registered for a reliable assessment. The breed-specific breeding strategy (RAS), published in 2022 and based on data up to and including 2021, also describes a small and largely young Nordic population. Assess the litter and its family line rather than relying on a general claim that the breed is healthy or unhealthy.
Distinguish rules from recommendations. The Swedish Kennel Club's 2026 registration rules list no breed-specific health requirements for the Rat Terrier. The Swedish RAS nevertheless recommends that the parents' DNA status for the eye conditions primary lens luxation (PLL) and prcd-PRA be known before mating. It also addresses patellar luxation and recommends that the breeder check that puppies can hear before they leave. The American parent club additionally recommends patella, hip and cardiac evaluations and a DNA test for PLL. That American programme is not a Swedish registration requirement.
Ask the breeder to show which checks were carried out on both parents and to explain the results. A carrier is not the same as an affected dog; ask how the mode of inheritance and the other parent's test result affect the mating. Also ask which health problems have occurred in the family and how previous litters are followed up.
These questions are more useful before buying than a long list of diseases:
- Which examinations and DNA tests were carried out, when and by whom?
- Can the results be verified in certificates or official registers?
- How was the puppies' hearing checked?
- Are there known eye, patella, hip or heart problems among close relatives?
- How does the breeder preserve genetic diversity in the small Swedish population?
A veterinary examination certificate records the puppy's condition at the time of examination, but it does not replace knowledge about the parents and wider family. Consult a vet if the dog shows pain, lameness, a change in vision, a clear change in hearing or other symptoms.
¶History & Origins
The Rat Terrier was developed in the United States as a versatile farm dog. Its main role was to control rats and other vermin, and the breed standard also describes an ability to hunt small game and work both above and below ground. This background explains the breed's present-day vigilance, rapid reactions, energy and prey drive.
The United Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1999, and the American Kennel Club granted full recognition in 2013. The Swedish Kennel Club decided to recognise the breed in autumn 2016, with effect from 1 January 2017. The Swedish translation of the standard was approved in the same year and is based on the American Kennel Club standard.
The Rat Terrier is recognised within the Nordic Kennel Union but not by the FCI. It is therefore recognised and may be registered in Sweden despite lacking FCI recognition. The distinction concerns which canine organisation has adopted the breed and its standard.
¶Living with the Breed
Living with a Rat Terrier calls for more planning around prey drive and activity than around the size of the home. The breed can live in a flat if it receives enough physical activity, scent work, training and rest. In a building with poor sound insulation, the owner also needs to address barking calmly and early. A house and garden do not replace activities shared with the owner.
With children, adult supervision is the most important safety rule. Children should leave the dog alone while it eats and rests, and the dog needs a quiet place of its own. An adult must take responsibility for walks, training and situations that could lead to conflict.
The breed may live successfully with other dogs, but introductions should be calm and tailored to the individuals. Living with a cat depends on both animals' experience and on whether the home can be divided into separate areas. Begin with physical separation, give the cat safe escape routes and prevent chasing from the first meeting. Do not leave them alone together until their relationship has remained stable over time.
Mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and other small pets require greater caution. The Swedish Kennel Club expressly warns that a Rat Terrier may see them as prey. Plan for physical separation and secure accommodation; obedience is not sufficient protection when no adult is supervising.
Time alone must be introduced gradually. Start with very short distances and absences while the dog is secure and calm, increasing them only when it can relax. Some individuals learn quickly, while others need much more time. Persistent barking, distress, escape attempts or destructive behaviour mean that the plan needs to be scaled back and adjusted.
The short coat does not provide a fixed answer to how well a dog will cope with Nordic weather. Watch the individual in cold, wind and rain, and adjust activity and protection. A dog that tenses, lifts its paws or wants to end the walk needs help to keep warm, but no single temperature threshold or clothing rule suits every dog.
A short coat does not make the breed allergy-free either. Dog allergens are found in sources including saliva and skin, and levels vary between individuals. Anyone with an allergy should investigate their own sensitivity and meet the particular dog several times rather than relying on coat type.
The Rat Terrier is the right choice if you want a quick, observant and willing terrier and are prepared to make prey-drive management, training and rest part of everyday life. It is less suitable if small pets must roam freely in the home, if the dog will often be left alone or if you want a small dog content with only short walks.
¶Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Aggressiveness | 3/5 |
| Child Friendly | 3/5 |
| Energy | 3/5 |
| Hair Shedding | 3/5 |
| Health | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 |
| Grooming Needs | 1/5 |
| Learning Ability | 3/5 |
| Barking Level | 4/5 |
| Height | 25 – 46 cm |
| Weight | 5 – 10 kg |
| Life Expectancy | 15 – 18 years |
¶Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical temperament of a Rat Terrier in a family home?
They are usually lively, affectionate and people oriented, often bonding very closely with their primary caregiver. Many are playful and good with respectful children, but their strong prey drive and alertness can make them intense around fast movement or unfamiliar animals. Early socialization helps keep their energy and watchdog instincts well balanced in a family setting.
How much exercise does a Rat Terrier really need each day?
Despite their small size, they are a high energy working terrier that generally needs at least 60 to 90 minutes of mixed physical and mental activity daily. Short but brisk walks alone are not enough for most individuals. Games of fetch, scent games, agility, or safe off leash running help prevent restlessness and destructive behavior.
Are Rat Terriers good apartment dogs, or do they need a yard?
They can do well in an apartment if their exercise and mental stimulation needs are consistently met. A yard is helpful but not essential, as long as they get several structured outings and active play sessions every day. Because they are alert and vocal, sound sensitive neighbors may notice barking if training and enrichment are neglected.
How strong is a Rat Terrier’s prey drive and can they live with cats or small pets?
Most have a pronounced prey drive due to their history as farm ratters, so chasing small, fast moving animals comes naturally. Some individuals can live peacefully with cats or other resident pets if raised together and managed carefully. Even so, they should always be supervised around small pets like rodents or rabbits, and recall training is critical outdoors.
What health problems are Rat Terriers prone to?
Overall they are considered a relatively healthy breed, but they can be at increased risk for patellar luxation, hip issues, Legg Calvé Perthes disease and certain allergies. Some lines may carry genetic risks for cardiac problems or eye diseases. Responsible breeders screen for these conditions and prospective owners should ask about health testing and the longevity of close relatives.
How easy is it to train a Rat Terrier, and do they suit first time dog owners?
They are intelligent, quick learners and often very food or toy motivated, which makes them responsive to consistent positive training. At the same time they can be independent, easily distracted by movement and scent, and may test boundaries, especially in adolescence. A committed first time owner who enjoys training and can provide structure usually does well, but they are not ideal for someone seeking a low effort companion.
Do Rat Terriers bark a lot and can this be managed?
They are naturally alert watchdogs and will often bark at noises, visitors and wildlife. Without training and enough activity, this can turn into frequent nuisance barking. Teaching a reliable “quiet” cue, rewarding calm behavior, and providing mental enrichment typically reduces excessive vocalizing.
What kind of grooming does a Rat Terrier need and do they shed much?
They have a short, dense coat that is low maintenance but not low shed. Weekly brushing and occasional baths are usually enough to keep the coat clean and reduce loose hair, though they may shed more seasonally. Regular nail trimming, ear checks and dental care are still essential even though their coat is simple.
Are Rat Terriers good with children and active households?
Many thrive in active homes and enjoy being involved in family activities, especially if they are well socialized from a young age. Their small but sturdy build usually tolerates energetic play, but children must learn to handle them gently and respect their space. Supervision is important, since a stressed or overexcited dog can nip or jump.
How long do Rat Terriers live, and what can owners do to support a long lifespan?
They often enjoy a relatively long lifespan, commonly reaching 13 to 16 years when well bred and well cared for. Keeping them at a lean weight, providing daily exercise and mental challenges, and maintaining regular veterinary checkups all support healthy aging. Early detection of joint, dental or cardiac issues helps preserve quality of life into their senior years.¶Comparisons with other breeds
Compare Rat Terrier with other breeds and see the differences in temperament, activity level, and care to make a confident choice. Show all comparisons
