Rat Terrier

The Rat Terrier is an American breed developed in the early 1900s by farmers needing versatile dogs to control rat populations and hunt small game. Created by crossing various terriers with Beagles, Italian Greyhounds, and Manchester Terriers, producing agile, efficient ratters. Rat Terriers come in two sizes: Miniature (10-13 inches) and Standard (13-18 inches), weighing 10-25 pounds depending on size.

They have compact, muscular builds with moderate bone and athletic proportions. Rat Terriers have smooth, short, dense coats that are easy to maintain, coming in various color combinations including white with black, tan, chocolate, blue, or combinations creating bi-color or tri-color patterns. They have wedge-shaped heads, button or erect ears (both acceptable), and expressive, intelligent eyes that are dark or correspond to coat color.

These terriers have level backs, deep chests, and high-set tails traditionally docked but now often left natural. Rat Terriers are remarkably agile and fast, capable of impressive speed and quick direction changes. Their smooth coats require minimal grooming.

These versatile farm dogs remain working dogs on many farms, controlling vermin populations efficiently. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 2013.