#rat terriers

[tea-time-terrier]

Hey I'm considering a few breeds of dog to get and one is a rat terrier and the one thing I can't find a straight answer on is their size so I was wondering how big yours is and if he's a mini or not

He's super cute by the way

Hello! Thank you! Rat terriers are super fun, you just have to remember they are terriers and that can bring some specific joys to the experience <3

Pichael Roast is 21-ish lbs and just under 17" tall so she's a Standard size rat terrier and a fairly solid little dog. I am not afraid she's going to break, yet she's small enough to (awkwardly) one hand scoop. 10/10 great size although I do love some tiny dogs.

Standards are between 13"-18" tall and miniatures are between 10"-13". There's no real split between them as the minis are supposed to be just scaled down versions (so more substance then say a Miniature Pinscher or Toy Fox Terrier). 15" seems to be the sweet spot that a lot of breeders are aiming for!

[thelittlespanielthatcould]

sausage dog, ckcs, rat terrier, chihuahua and a lab because i can

sausage dog: their ears may be floppy but playing with them may be interpreted as a sign of disrespect so I wouldn't fuck with it. you have to reach down very far to touch them. even the long coat doesn't tuft up and get pluckable. It's a strong "eh" from me. 4/10

ckcs: very soft, very baby, will crawl into your lap and let you manhandle them. coat is very pleasing to touch. ears are very flappable and cheeks are very squishable. they're not hyperactive enough for maximum fidgetability but they almost make up for it by remaining readily available. extra point assigned due to personal bias. 9.5/10

rat terrier: not much going for them in the physical fidgetability department. smooth coat and prick ears leaves very little to work with tbh. however, their saving grace is their activity level, portability, and not being gross. 7/10

Chihuahua: hmmmm. their coat types are not all that fidgetable and they are for the most part not insane enough to be a true fidget. however, they do deserve credit for being very little and small. it's not every fidget dog that can be stuck in a purse and toted around like a true fidget toy. 7/10

Lab has already been done!

[strayfriend]

Me: maybe if I'm really slow and quiet and careful I can get up without waking Benny

Benny:

WROMG

I AM AWARE OF EVERY THING WHERE DO U ATTENPT 2 GO

[timwrightt]

[lapluckyheroine]

So proud of himself after running around like a maniac!

[alittleblackdogblog]

Jon challenging Boomer (Coonhound). 

Jon and Jaime (rat terrier) get along. However Jon and Boomer no longer do so they’re kept separated from now on. Boomer actually punctured a fang behind Jon’s head in a fight and needed some minor treatment. But I just don’t risk interaction anymore.

So Jon gets to have the whole property to play on while Boomer watches from the dog yard and get’s booming his head off. Jon ran up and gave him what for and then returned to me. 

[tea-time-terrier]

I'm interested in getting a rat terrier and was wondering how big Pike is? I was also wondering what types of activities she likes to do?

Hallo! Welcome to the rat terrier rabbit hole!

My beloved Pichael is just shy of 17" and weighs about 21lbs so she is on the bigger end of the standard. Small enough to be scooped, but still a sturdy package.

Pike likes to do whatever I am doing. She is happy to snuggle under a blanket, go hiking and camping, play fetch, train behaviours, go paddleboarding, attend classes, attend trials, go on a roadtrip, wiggle in some grass, or sit in my car while I vacuum it. She just wants to be involved and would love if there were also snacks <3

[tea-time-terrier]

So I’ve fallen in love with rat terriers(and American hairless lol), only problem is I’m in an fci country and because I’m into confo, I’ll have to reconsider getting one until it is accepted by fci or at least as a second sports prospect dog. Because of this, do you have any alternative (preferably smooth) terriers or other breeds of dogs that are similar in temperament? Maybe what other breeds you were considering before pike? So far, I’ve come close in German pinschers, but I’d still like to hear from you. I’d like a confident feisty dog that is biddable yet still has a mind of its own, aloof with strangers and very affectionate(velcro) with me, while also being active.

Oh man same <3 

Okay so full disclosure, I have extremely limited experience with dogs in general. I mean, I barely know what they are...

My top two contenders were Rat Terriers and Border Terriers! The choice was made when I got offered a puppy (Pike). I definitely adore RT’s and plan to stay with them, but I would still love a little Border at some point. Another terrier lite that’s come into consideration are soft-coated Wheatens but they seem more...goofy?

A lot of the RT people I have been meeting are either coming from, or are still involved with Dobermans. I don’t know where German Pinschers fall in comparison but they are gorgeous.

Pichael herself is on the nervous side and doesn’t usually seek out attention from strangers, but this is also something I have worked on since she’s come home. She adores the people who have taken the time to befriend her, but is still very much my dog. She is very engaged, very biddable, she tries so hard and sometimes that’s by going so far out of her way. She once did weaves in five completely different ways when she wasn’t sure what was up.

Rat Terriers are nothing if not affectionate. You want a portable heater? You want to never be left alone? Pigorelli is a leggy 21lbs and she fell asleep stuffed in my sweater. They love doing things with their people.

Honestly if showing isn’t a complete deal breaker, Rat Terriers are very fun, versatile, sporty little dogs. They are doing well in a whole variety of sports which is cool.