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Independent dog care guides · Sourced from veterinary references · Written for owners everywhereHow we work Pet insurance

Rat Terrier

Compact American farm terrier bred to clear barns of rats. Quick to learn, keen to work, and happiest with a job to do.

Tricolour Rat Terrier with upright ears sitting outdoors in front of red desert rock formations — A Rat Terrier outdoorsPhoto: Dlarm112 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Weight: 4.5–11 kg10–24 lb
Height: 25–46 cm10–18 in
Lifespan: 12–18 yrs
Group: Terrier
Origin: United States
Popularity: #84 USNot ranked in UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogs Low grooming

Energy

Shedding

Trainability

Barking

Good with kids

Flat-friendly

Temperament

Intelligent, Energetic, Curious, Affectionate.

Health problems to know about

Patellar luxation
Primary lens luxation
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Hip dysplasia
Chronic heart valve disease

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Daily walks plus games and training to keep a busy mind occupied. Weekly brushing, more during seasonal sheds. Secure fencing, as the prey drive is real.

A good fit for

Active owners and families who want a small dog that can keep up and enjoys learning tricks or dog sports.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with pet rodents, owners who want a dog content to lie about all day, people out for long hours.

Sources

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

Similar breeds

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Smooth Fox Terrier

Sleek, mostly white terrier with a sharp mind and a loud bark. Quick, playful and always ready to start something.

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Beagle

Merry, sociable scent hound. The nose leads, and the ears stop working when it does.

A black-and-white Boston Terrier lies on a grey carpet, looking at the camera with upright ears

Boston Terrier

Compact, tuxedo-marked companion with a big personality. Easy to live with, but the short face brings real breathing and overheating risks.

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West Highland White Terrier

Bright, confident white terrier with a big-dog attitude. Fun and sociable, but the skin needs watching.

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