Creative Commons<\/a>VIDEO Their eyes are amber or dark brown and match the coat color. 2023 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. WebThe short-legged Rat Terriers developed a devoted following and were named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt. If youre getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the ages of the dogs in her lines and what they died of. What should I do to kill it or chase it away? VIDEO Dog adoption and cat adoption saves lives. These dogs will have ears that are tipped or upright and will become erect when the dog is on alert. I have a rat terrier, and she is a very hyper dog! But a Rat Terrier almost never drools. In addition to chronic itchy skin allergies, the Rat Terrier may be allergic to any number of things, including certain food ingredients. Reserved since at one time a man abused her badly. Has he ever bitten or hurt anyone that they know of? Hes generally friendly toward other dogs, but although he might not start a fight, he wont back down from one either. Adopt a dog or adopt a cat and you'll have a friend for life. For answers to your questions about owning this spunky little breed, keep reading! PennHip certification of hips is also accepted. If your Ratter is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is recommended. It's also recommended that you establish a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon. She has a lot of personality. The athletic Rattie can use a piece of furniture as a launching pad to escape over a baby gate. If youre going by air, hes small enough to ride in a carrier under the seat in the cabin. A good breeder can tell you about the history of the breed, explain why one puppy is considered pet quality while another is not, and discuss what health problems affect the breed and the steps she takes take to avoid those problems. Like a typical Terrier, Rat Terriers ears must be upright when theyre alert. Post on your Facebook page that you are looking for a specific breed so that your entire community can be your eyes and ears. Great Pet Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. She seemed much more energetic on her walk and then when I was at her home, she seemed like she just wanted to hang out and cuddle. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. His ears are usually up when hes curious and he puts them down when hes in She doesn't care for big dogs but I believe it's because of her past. Food puzzles, stuffed Kong toys and hide-and-seek games with his daily ration of food are all great ways to keep his brain and body busy when you arent around to keep him company. While they can still certainly excel in the hunt, this is a very family-oriented dog that wants to join in with whatever his people happen to be doing. Typical rat A few exercise ideas: When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Ratter access to one or more balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. Rat Terriers are generally small-sized, but can have a good bit of size variation--from seven to 20 inches at the shoulders in height, and from eight to 25 pounds in weight. Since they were originally developed to be vermin hunters, Ratters are quick, intelligent, and task-oriented, so they'll do best with a variety of activities that stimulate them mentally as well as physically. He was so loving and smart growing up. They also often offer fostering opportunities so, with training, you could bring a Rattie home with you to see what the experience is like. These dogs are high-energy hunting dogs who get along with most people and other dogs but are likely to pursue any creature that they see as prey. (Just make sure they receive daily exercise!) Dogs with this condition generally show signs of discomfort including reduced mobility, less interest in activity, or simply moving stiffly. Click here: Rat Terrier Club of America - Breed Standard I hope this helps you but if you have more questions, just let us know. Big ears, that were floppy and batwingish as a newborn, but now at 13 weeks straight and tall. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. VIDEO Ask the breeder to show evidence that both of a puppys parents have OFA patella certifications. Like all breeds, Rat Terrier food will need to contain plenty of animal proteins and carbohydrates for energy, vitamins and minerals for digestive and immune health, and omega fatty acids for coat and skin wellness. There are many great options available if you want to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or breed rescue organization. Rat Terriers have short, easy-care coats. If you plan to get a Rattie, you need to make sure you can give him the activity and companionship he needs to stay happy. Last but not least, it should go without saying that a people-loving dog like the Rat Terrier needs to live in the house. The coat consists of short, smooth, and shiny hair in a variation of pied patterning. Avoid letting things like newspapers, cardboard boxes, or clothing pile up. have been screened for genetic defects and deemed healthy for breeding. They have incredible personalities and are so fun to look after. Get prepared with the new pet parent checklist on The Wildest! Be sure to keep your Rat on a leash when outside. She is so smart and very attentive. This can lead to pain and osteoarthritis. I think I have a rat/ mouse in the house, but it keeps escaping my traps. Bathe them only when required, may be once in many months. Rat Terriers luckily don't require very much grooming at all just brushing their fur once in a while. Their ears are mostly upright, and more than 3/4 of them have this appearance. Use a dog crate, baby gate or wire exercise pen to keep him confined. These dogs have strong prey drives, and they have high compulsions to chase--be it birds, squirrels, cats, even small dogs--if given the chance; a leash will help you control your Ratter when it spies an interesting-looking critter.
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Rat Terriers can have dental issues, so be sure to regularly brush their teeth, at least one to three times weekly. Opt for commercially available food approved by theAssociation of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)to make sure your food of choice provides proper nutrition and meets all necessary regulations. 
Careful breeders screen their breeding dogs for genetic disease and breed only the healthiest and best-looking specimens, but sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas and a puppy develops one of these diseases despite good breeding practices. If youre interested in Rat Terrier adoption, Kallas says there are several national rescue groups that do excellent work for the breedand because they all work a bit differently, its wise to chat with each of them to see which one might work best for your family. Blue Buffalo, Royal Canin, and Taste of the Wild are three recommended brands that carry excellent lines of premium dry food. A dog food designed for small dog breeds would be appropriate, andbecause Rat Terriers can be prone to skin allergies from various causesKallas says she looks for kibble with a fish-based protein (otherwise, she supplements with fish oil). The one Rat Terrier I have walked was very affectionate and enjoyed her walk. She doesnt like other pets! The Rat Terrier comes in two size groups: Miniature, which are 10 to 13 inches at the shoulder, and Standard, which are 13 to 18 inches. Rat Terriers have a fairly high tendency for obesity, and will quickly become overweight if constantly overfed (and under-exercised)--and a fat Rat Terrier will have joint, breathing, and digestive issues, not to mention a shortened lifespan. So, if youre interested in purchasing a Rat Terrier puppy, you should consider this option. Rat Terriers are pack oriented, so they usually get along with other pets, including cats, especially if they are raised with them. Rat Terriers are active little dogs, so they love to eat--and their diet will need to be balanced and complete to keep them healthy. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Cope-With-the-Sound-of-Rats-at-Night-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cope-With-the-Sound-of-Rats-at-Night-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Cope-With-the-Sound-of-Rats-at-Night-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid273561-v4-728px-Cope-With-the-Sound-of-Rats-at-Night-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
