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Rat Terriers
Rat Terriers
Ranging from standard (35-58 cm, weight: 12-35 pounds), mid-sized (20-35 cm, weight: 6-8 pounds) and toy size (20 cm or less, weight: 4-6 pounds), the Rat Terrier packs a lot of muscle into a tiny space. Regardless of their size, this breed is known for its strong legs and muscular build. Coat colours include chocolate, pearl, red, black, tan, sable and brindle, and are often a combination of at least two colours.
Rat Terriers are suitable for apartment life, but require a bare minimum of 30 minutes of exercise each day. If you plan to let them run around in a fenced-in area - beware. These dogs love to dig and can easily escape an enclosed space. They do however, like to be outdoors (provided you have properly enclosed and protected the out door area) as much as they enjoy spending time indoors with the family.
Rat Terriers are energetic, playful dogs. They do not bark often, and are easy to train. Rat Terriers have no problem socializing with other animals and do well in families with young children.
Rat Terriers
Unlike most modern purebreds, Rat Terriers were developed by combining a diverse number of breeds. While their exact lineage is largely unknown, they are thought to be developed from Manchester Terriers, Fox Terriers, Italian Greyhounds, and Whippets - all of which contributed to their speed and agility. The Chihuahua contributed to the size of the smaller Rat Terriers and Miniature Pinschers and Beagles contributed to their superb hunting abilities. Their mixed heritage has virtually rid this breed of any serious health problems (although they are prone to allergies, hip dysplacia and tend to gain weight quickly),and has resulted in a longer than average lifespan (about 15-18 years) Rat Terriers originated in Great Britain in the early 1800s. Named by Teddy Roosevelt, this breed was developed to catch and destroy rats. Today, they can be found on farms for this very purpose. Rat Terriers are very easy to groom. They are average shedders and only require bathing on an as needed basis.
Rat Terrier Puppies
Other things you need to know before buying Rat Terriers for sale or Rat Terrier puppies for sale are that they are extremely playful and love children. They should be socialized with children and other animals early on so they understand how to interact with them. An unsocialized puppy may become too overexcited when in the company of others, and may nip and scratch, unintentionally causing harm. Rat Terrier puppies have an inquisitive nature and like to jump around and sniff things. Training sessions should be kept short - about 2-5 minutes at a time - and peppered with a lot of positive praise. Rat Terriers are wonderfully loyal creatures and very much want to please you. Take great care to teach your dog not to jump on people or pull on a leash and make sure the dog is always attached to a leash when out in public. When looking for a breeder, make sure they are reputable and have proper certification. A properly bred Rat Terrier should be virtually free of health problems and is expected to live for a long time. Do not purchase a dog that comes from questionable beginnings.
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