Do Rat Terriers shed?

Yes. Rat Terriers shed most in the spring and fall, but they also shed moderately all year. Keep shedding to a minimum by brushing them weekly.

Are Rat Terriers hypoallergenic?

No, Rat Terriers are not considered to be hypoallergenic dogs (though no dog is 100% hypoallergenic).

Do Rat Terriers bark a lot?

Rat Terriers tend to be on alert, so they may bark to let you know when someone’s at the door. Consider it a charming quirk that they want to announce any guests, and work with a certified trainer who uses positive reinforcement if your dog gets a little too chatty.

How long do Rat Terriers live?

The Rat Terrier lifespan is 12–18 years.

Are Rat Terriers good family dogs?

Yes, Rat Terriers make excellent family dogs, including families with kids and other dogs. But if your family has small pets, like hamsters or guinea pigs, they probably won’t be a good fit.

What are some Rat Terrier characteristics?

Rat Terriers are loyal, energetic, and affectionate. They’re very devoted to their person or family, and they appreciate people who share their zest for life.

Rat Terrier

Updated August 28, 2025

If you’re on the lookout for a small best friend with a big heart, search no further: The Rat Terrier is an adorable, vivacious pup who lives for playtime and loves snuggles. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more devoted buddy.

Temperament

Cheery, Energetic, Loyal

Weight

10–25 pounds

Height

Miniature: 10–13 inches

Standard: 13–18 inches

Life Expectancy

12–18 years

Maintenance Level

Friendliness

Coat Color

Black and White, Black White and Tan, Black Tan and White, Blue White and Tan, Red White and Sable, White and Apricot, White and Black, White Black and Tan, White and Blue Fawn, White and Blue, White and Chocolate, White Chocolate and Tan, White and Fawn, White and Lemon, White and Red, White and Silver, White and Tan, White

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Yes, the Rat Terrier is aware: There’s a PR problem. Their name doesn’t exactly inspire the confidence of “Labrador Retriever” or “Rhodesian Ridgeback.” But this tiny bundle of joy is every bit the hero (and no, they look nothing like a rat).

Rat Terriers are, however, bite-sized pups here to be your best friend for life. Ever the loyal, valiant buddy, they’ll stick by your side through thick and thin, always grateful for your companionship.

Rat Terrier Characteristics

Remember: Dogs are individuals and not all dogs, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.

Exercise Needs

Health Issues

Grooming Needs

Training Needs

Shedding Level

Friendliness

Playfulness

Energy Level

Good for Apartments and Small Homes

Sensitive to Cold Weather

Sensitive to Warm Weather

Good for First-Time Pet Parents

Rat Terrier Appearance

Rat Terriers’ expressive eyes reflect their zest for life. They come in two sizes: Miniature (10–13 inches) and Standard (13–18 inches). They have a wide combination of colors in a pied pattern, meaning large–colored patches surrounded by white.

Ears
Rat Terrier ears stand straight up with the tips pointed upward or are semi-alert with tips flopping down (aka button ears).
Eyes
Their oval-shaped eyes are set wide apart. Colors range from dark brown to hazel, though they’re sometimes gray.
Nose
As with the Rat Terrier's eyes, the nose color ranges from light to dark and depends on the color of their coat.
Coat Length
Rat Terrier coats are smooth and shiny with short hair; the fur might be slightly wavy down their back.
Coat Color
Their coat comes in a range of colors, including black and white; tri-color (black, tan, and white); red-white and sable; blue, white, and tan; white, chocolate, and tan; and white and blue, to name just a few. Their coat often has a pied pattern, meaning it’s mostly white with large patches of one or more colors, or they might have speckles mixed throughout.
Tail
While it was once common to dock a Rat Terrier’s tail, nowadays many of these pups have their tails intact. Many groups, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, oppose tail docking, and many countries as well as U.S. states have banned the practice.

Rat Terrier Temperament

Curious and super smart, Rat Terriers—aka Ratties— were originally bred for hunting rats on U.S. farms. But today’s pups offer so much more than pest control services.

Rat Terrier dogs are exceptionally dedicated to their people, and they love to be included, so no leaving them at home all day without an explanation. Instead, let them go along for the ride—or to doggy daycare to hang with other canine pals.

It’s important that pet parents keep up with the Rat Terrier’s energy and brains with exercise and mental stimulation. These dogs are great at games, can quickly solve puzzle toys, and adore having a job to do.

As sweet and friendly dogs, they’ll likely get along with everyone and welcome guests with charm and style. That said, sharing a home with small pets like mice or hamsters might be a challenge for this terrier thanks to their work history as four-legged pest control.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Rat Terrier

Find Rat Terriers to Adopt Near You

How to Care for a Rat Terrier

Rat Terriers are pretty low–maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs. But all that time you save will need to be spent on fun training sessions and lots of daily exercise. Don’t forget snuggle time too.

The Rat Terrier’s short, compact coat is relatively hassle-free.

Bathing: Bathe your dog once a month, unless they happen to play in a particularly dirty spot. Otherwise, you can spray them with a nice deodorizing spritz.
Brushing: Thanks to their short coat, these dogs only need a brush-out once a week with a curry brush or rubber mitt. They shed heaviest in the spring and fall, so you might need to increase your brushing schedule around then.
Ear care: Check your Rat Terrier’s ears every day. If there’s redness, swelling, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection that needs vet attention. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to irritation or infections; they can give you tips and recommend the best ear-cleaning products.
Dental care: Small dogs are at an increased risk of dental disease. You can help keep your pup’s mouth healthy by brushing their teeth every day with a dog-friendly toothpaste. Start when your Rat Terrier puppy is young, so they get used to the routine.
Nail care: Rat Terriers need their nails trimmed once a month. You’ll know it’s time to grab the nail clippers when you can hear them tapping on hard surfaces.

Start obedience training with your Rat Terrier puppy as soon as you bring them home, and teach them cues like sit, stay, and come. These dogs are fast learners and eager to make their pup parent happy, which makes them easy to train.

As with any pup, always use positive reinforcement—with praise, training treats, and favorite dog toys—to teach your pup how to be on their very best behavior. Rat Terriers a very determined breed, and they’ll likely work very hard to impress you (and to get their favorite treat).

Training is especially important for Rat Terrier dogs. Because of their terrier tendencies and vermin-hunting history, they might tend to bark a lot, chase smaller animals, and dig in the yard. A certified dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement can help reduce these unwanted behaviors.

Also invest time in proper socialization, which involves exposing your Rat Terrier puppy to new people, places, sounds, and other stimuli in a positive manner. They’ll get used to these new interactions and become a calm adult, well-mannered adult.

Rat Terriers need a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet made for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).

These pups are very fairly small (only reaching 25 pounds, max), so be mindful of an unnecessary weight gain, which can cause and worsen health issues. Talk to your vet if you’re worried that your dog might be at an unhealthy weight.

Keep count of how many treats you give your dog, too. Treats should never make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.

Rat Terriers have a lot of energy, but they’re happy to get it all out on your daily walks—get in 30 minutes of exercise a day, at minimum. But if you’re a more active person, your Rat Terrier will be thrilled to join you.

Worried that your dog isn’t getting enough exercise? Don’t worry—if your Rat Terrier isn’t happy, they’ll let you know.

You can meet your pup’s need for more exercise with indoor games like tug and hide-and-seek or by playing fetch in a fenced-in area. They’ll also enjoy nose work, agility training, or tracking classes (where your dog can use their nose to trace scents). A Rat Terrier will even be happy swimming, as long as they’re wearing a life jacket.

A Rat Terrier is content to be a city dog, a country dog, or anything in between.

These social butterflies are just happy to be wherever you are—just promise them you won’t leave them alone for long periods of time. If you need to be away during the day, doggy daycare or a dog walker can be great options.

If you have a big family, even better—that’s just more people for them to hang out with. And they’ll probably happily accept four-legged siblings, too. But if you happen to have mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, or other small creatures for pets, a Rat Terrier might not be the best fit; even though their past as a hunter is behind them, they still maintain their instinct to chase.

Rat Terrier Health

The typical Rat Terrier lifespan is 12–18 years. Here are some health issues to be aware of. 

Heart issues: Rat Terriers can be prone to heart murmurs and mitral valve disease, where the heart doesn’t pump blood efficiently. A heart murmur can be the earliest sign of a heart condition, including mitral valve disease; symptoms include exercise intolerance, a cough, heavy breathing, and a decreased appetite.
- If your pup has a murmur, your veterinarian will likely refer them to a veterinary cardiologist for an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). 
Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is when the ball and socket of the hip and thigh bones doesn’t properly fit. It’s an inherited condition that can be made worse if a pup is overweight and eventually leads to arthritis and pain. More severe cases may require surgery, but the condition is often treated with medications, joint supplements, special diets, weight management, and/or physical therapy.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease: A rare and likely genetic disease that causes bone death in the head of the femur and significant changes to the hip joint, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease usually develops in the first year of life, causing pain and limping. Surgery is usually necessary, and most Rat Terriers make a full recovery.
Luxating patella: Rat Terriers can develop a luxating patella, where the kneecap slips out of place. It can be treated with supplements and medication, if mild, but surgery may be necessary for severe cases.
Primary lens luxation: Primary lens luxation is when the eye lens falls out of its normal position. Symptoms include tearing up, squinting, cloudiness, redness, a change in pupil size, and/or a white spot in front of the iris. This painful condition can lead to glaucoma and blindness, so it needs immediate veterinary attention.

Rat Terrier History

Rat Terriers earned their name by being experts at catching, well, rats on U.S. farms. But now that they’re cherished family dogs, they have better things to do.

It’s thought that this clever dog is a combo of several different breeds, including the Smooth Fox Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Whippet, Italian Greyhound, and Beagle.

As new methods of rodent control emerged, Rat Terriers became less common on farms and more common as pets. They were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2006.

Rat Terrier puppies tend to cost between $500–$1,100. If you choose this route, pick a responsible breeder.

You can also adopt a Rat Terrier who’s been patiently waiting for their forever family. Reach out to a local Rat Terrier rescue like New Rattitude, keep an eye out for them at your local animal shelter, or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area.

FAQs

This content was medically reviewed by Barri Morrison, DVM, Chewy veterinarian.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Rat Terrier

Rat Terrier