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Rat Terrier: Breed Profile, Temperament, Health, and Care Guide

A Rat Terrier is a small to medium Terrier Group breed developed in early 20th-century America from Fox Terriers, Bull Terriers, Manchester Terriers, and other working breeds, bred as an all-purpose farm dog for hunting rats, vermin, and small game.

Reportedly named by President Theodore Roosevelt after his own Rat Terrier Skip helped clear rats from the White House, the breed remains among the most genuinely long-lived of any small dog. This guide covers where the breed originated, its temperament, how big Rat Terriers get, how long they live, the health problems they are prone to, grooming, how much exercise they need, how easy they are to train, what to feed them, the pros and cons of owning one, and what else people ask.

What Is a Rat Terrier and Where Did the Breed Originate?

A Rat Terrier belongs to the American Kennel Club’s Terrier Group. The breed is a genuine American original, developed in the early 20th century from a mix of Fox Terriers, Bull Terriers, Manchester Terriers, and Old English White Terriers, with Whippets and Italian Greyhounds later added in the Midwest to help the breed control jackrabbit populations more effectively. Rat Terriers were common on family farms throughout the 1920s and 1930s, valued for their combination of hunting drive and genuine versatility. The breed received United Kennel Club recognition in 1999 and AKC recognition in 2013.

The American Kennel Club defines the breed in its “Official Standard of the Rat Terrier”, approved November 11, 2009, which sets out the size, coat, and temperament a Rat Terrier should have. As of September 2026, the AKC ranks the Rat Terrier 81st of 210 breeds in popularity.

What Is a Rat Terrier’s Temperament Like?

A Rat Terrier’s temperament is energetic, alert, and playful, with a personality more docile overall than many other terriers, though the breed’s hunting instincts remain genuinely sharp. Rat Terriers are smart, clever, and love to dig, traits that combine to make them talented escape artists if a yard isn’t secure. The breed is highly people-oriented and, unlike some more independent terriers, will actively work to make sure every family member is included in the fun, though early training matters to prevent “small dog syndrome,” where a little dog assumes it’s in charge.

How Big Do Rat Terriers Get?

Rat Terriers come in two size varieties, a Miniature standing 10 to 13 inches and a Standard standing 13 to 18 inches, both sharing a compact, well-balanced, wedge-headed build and a coat featuring a white base with patches, called “pied.”

The American Kennel Club gives the Rat Terrier’s height as 10-13 inches (miniature), 13-18 inches (standard); its weight as 10-25 pounds; and its life expectancy as 12-18 years, according to its Rat Terrier breed profile, retrieved September 2026.

How Long Do Rat Terriers Live?

Rat Terriers live 12 to 18 years, among the longest lifespans of any dog breed, with a healthy 15th birthday being genuinely common rather than exceptional. Regular veterinary care supports a full lifespan for this hardy breed.

What Health Problems Are Rat Terriers Prone To?

Rat Terriers are documented as being at higher risk for the following conditions.

• Hip dysplasia. A condition where the hip joint develops abnormally, creating a loose joint that can cause discomfort and reduced mobility.
• Patellar luxation. A common condition in small breeds where the kneecap shifts out of its normal position.
• Cardiac abnormalities. The AKC Canine Health Information Center recommends cardiac evaluation as part of standard breeding health screening.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. A hip joint condition more relevant to the breed’s smaller size varieties, assessed as part of recommended health screening.
• Congenital hypothyroidism. A disease of insufficient thyroid hormone production that can affect growth and development if present from birth.

The Rat Terrier parent club sets out its recommended health screening in a breed health statement published by the American Kennel Club.

How Do You Groom a Rat Terrier?

Rat Terriers have a short, smooth, shiny coat that’s genuinely low-maintenance, needing only occasional brushing to manage shedding and keep the coat healthy. Routine nail trims, ear checks, and dental care round out the grooming routine for this easy-care breed.

How Much Exercise Does a Rat Terrier Need?

A Rat Terrier needs regular daily exercise, and the breed can get a genuine amount of activity just from indoor play, though outdoor walks and games remain important for both physical and mental health. Given the breed’s strong prey drive and escape tendencies, a Rat Terrier should always be leashed or contained in a genuinely secure, fenced area when outside, since the breed does well at both chasing and digging its way out.

Are Rat Terriers Easy to Train?

Yes, Rat Terriers are usually easy to train, intelligent and genuinely eager to please, though the breed carries the typical terrier streak of occasional stubbornness and independence. Positive obedience training works well, and the breed’s perceptiveness means it responds readily to praise-based methods.

What Should You Feed a Rat Terrier?

Rat Terriers do well on a high-quality formula suited to their size and activity level, and because the breed’s exceptional lifespan means a genuinely long-term nutritional commitment, consistent, quality feeding throughout the dog’s life pays off over the many years ahead. Training treats should be small and counted against the dog’s daily calorie allowance.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning a Rat Terrier?

Here are the main advantages of owning a Rat Terrier.

• Energetic, playful, genuinely people-oriented temperament
• Among the longest average lifespans of any dog breed
• Low-maintenance short coat
• Highly trainable and eager to please

Here are the main drawbacks of owning a Rat Terrier.

• Strong prey drive and talented digging ability require secure fencing
• Can develop “small dog syndrome” without consistent early training
• Documented risk of hip and cardiac issues worth screening for
• High energy that needs consistent daily outlets

Rat Terrier rescue organizations place adult dogs regularly, worth a look for anyone drawn to the breed’s playful personality but not set on a breeder search.

What Else Do People Ask About the Rat Terrier?

The questions below cover how much a Rat Terrier costs, whether Rat Terriers are good family dogs, why Rat Terriers live so long, and whether Rat Terriers get along with cats and other pets.

How much does a Rat Terrier cost?

A Rat Terrier puppy from an AKC-registered, health-tested breeder costs between $600 and $1,200, with puppies from champion lines or rare color patterns commanding more, and prices vary by region. Adopting an adult Rat Terrier through a rescue is usually a lower-cost alternative.

Are Rat Terriers good family dogs?

Yes, Rat Terriers are widely considered reliable family dogs, more sociable and trainable than many other terriers, and they typically form warm bonds with children they grow up alongside. Given the breed’s small size, supervision with toddlers is still recommended, and the dog will generally move away from or bark at rough handling rather than tolerate it.

Why do Rat Terriers live so long?

Rat Terriers are known for one of the longest average lifespans of any dog breed, commonly 15 to 18 years, a trait attributed to the breed’s hardy, hybrid-vigor-rich development from multiple working terrier and sighthound lines combined with sound genetic health. Consistent veterinary care and quality nutrition help a Rat Terrier reach the longer end of that already impressive range.

Do Rat Terriers get along with cats and other pets?

Rat Terriers carry a genuine hunting instinct and strong prey drive, which means introductions to cats or smaller pets should be handled carefully and gradually, in particular with animals the dog hasn’t grown up alongside. With proper early socialization, many Rat Terriers do learn to live peacefully with other household pets.

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