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Rat Terrier Dogs 
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What you MUST Know Before Getting a Puppy
Forget about the normal list that everyone writes about..."puppy proof your home", "choose the right breed".  The information you must know, goes MUCH deeper than that. This is insider information that no one talks about, the behind-the-scenes info you really must know before you make your choice...Read More
Average Weight: 10-15 pounds  (4.53 to 6.8 kg)
 Average Height: under 13  inches (33.02  cm)
Pronounced: Rat    TEH-ree-er
Group:  AKC Toy
Life Span: 18 Years
Average Litter: 6
Origin: Britain
Appearance

The Rat Terrier comes in 2 sizes: Miniature and Standard.  This profile is regarding the Miniature Rat Terrier dog.  This breed is sturdy and compact with a fairly long head, well developed cheek muscles, a slightly domed head, prominent eyes and strong jaws.  It is the eyes that is said to give this small breed dog a soft, gentle expression.

Ears are V-shaped and where it is legal, the tail is usually docked.

Colors

This dog comes in a large variety of colors: Black, blue,  red, sable, white,  apricot, blue (a faded diluted black) , chocolate,  fawn, lemon (a creamy very light yellow) and silver (a shiny gray). Coats may be solid, double or triple colors.

This small breed dog also has quite a few possible markings including blanket-back (where a certain solid color goes right across the dog's back - like a "saddle") and piebald (a multi-colored dogs with splashes of color in any random places.

Personality

Rat Terriers are very friendly.  Getting along well with other dogs, he often is curious but not aggressive.  Very active, alert and seeming to always be on the move,  This is a rather vocal dog who grumbles, mumbles and growls when he thinks he has "spotted prey" or is trying to communicate something.

Extremely loyal, protective and affectionate, the Miniature Rat Terrier makes a great companion.  Most get along excellent with children,  more so when the children are part of the immediate household.

Health Issues

This breed lives a very long "dog" life, with 18 years not being uncommon at all. There are some possible health conditions to be aware of:
  • Allergies - This dog is a bit more prone to allergies, both contact, internal and external.
  • Luxating patella - Very common with all small breed dogs, a dislocation of the kneecap
  • Demodectic mange- sounding scarier than it is, the dog becomes sensitive to microscopic mites that live on all dogs, causing fur loss.   While this does need treatment from the veterinarian (with medication involved) many dogs recover with no lasting signs.
Exercise

Since this is an active dog, daily exercise is a must to maintain good health and to divert any behavioral problems due to pent up energy.  2 walks per day is optimal, 1 in the morning and 1 at night.  In addition, cardio exercise such as running at the dog park or yard is recommended a couple of times per week.  If you like to be active outdoors and want a canine companion with you, this is the dog.

Grooming

With a short coat, grooming is minimal.  Baths every 2 - 3 weeks, a good brushing every week and nails trimmed every few months.  It is important to never use human shampoo - this is the case with all dogs, but especially the Rat Terrier, as this breed is more prone to contact allergies.

Care & Training

Because this dog is so faithful to his owners, he may be a bit over-protective or shy & reserved when visitors come to the house or he sees strangers nearby.  For this reason, you would want to know about command and socialization training. (We have this information below).   Being prone to canine allergies, one should be aware of the details of this.  Rat Terrier Owners - Click Here For Detailed Information

                  
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