Reasons to Buy a Rat Terrier

It has been scientifically proven that rat terriers are the coolest dog to walk the face of the planet. Well, maybe not. But they’re a very unique breed and not a lot of people know about them, so I thought I’d shed a little light on the four legged friend that has changed my life over the past year and a half.

Rat Terriers originated in England, and were developed from crosses of the Smooth Fox Terriers, Whippets, and Manchester Terriers. Many people say they resemble Jack Russell Terriers, and I can certainly see the resemblance. After the 1890s, when the breed became popular in the United States, it is quite possible that other breeds such as Beagles and Italian Greyhounds were added to the unique mixture. They were developed to maintain the varmint population, particularly rats on the farm. They were far more effective than any cat could would ever dream to be at killing and chasing rodents.

As for appearance, they couldn’t get any cuter. They come in a variety of different coats and patterns. The majority of rat terriers are white with either black and tan, apricot, or a brown spot variation on their body. The most common color is the tricolor of black, tan, and white, which is what my dog Lola is. Most rat terriers have cute, black freckles scattered across their bellies. Ears are usually upright and tipped, and the tails are docked a third of their original length.

There are three size groups of Rat Terriers. The larger size, or Deckers as they are called are the standard size and range from 14 to 23 inches tall and weighs 14 to 35 pounds. Mid sized rat terriers weigh 6 to 8 pounds and stand 8-14 inches tall. The smallest of the group, the toy rat terriers, are less than 8 inches tall and weigh around 6 pounds or less. The Toy size is becoming an increasingly popular house pet and companion dog. However, they still exhibit the same hunting instincts as the larger sizes, and I can agree with this. Lola chases anything she sees, whether it be a fly, lizard, or a squirrel hurrying across the yard. One downfall is that this particular breeds a lot, and their hair is very small and fine.