Rat Terrier
RAT TER-ee-uhr
United States· Rural United States (farms and homesteads)
The Rat Terrier is an American farm dog bred to control vermin, developed from a mix of terrier and hound breeds brought over by immigrants to work the barns and grain stores of rural America.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Small
Exercise needs
1 hour daily
Home size suited to
Flat or small home
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush
Coat length
Short
Sheds
Yes, heavily when moulting
Lifespan
12-18 years
Town or country
Either, with enough exercise
Garden size needed
Small garden or none
Where it comes from
Origins of the Rat Terrier
Developed on American farms from terrier and hound crosses brought by immigrants, bred purely for function as a vermin controller. The variable American farm climate favoured a hardy, adaptable, short-coated dog.
- Region
- Rural United States (farms and homesteads)
- Climate it was bred for
- Varied, continental American climate
- Original job
- Vermin control on farms
The long read
About the breed
The breed emerged in the late 1800s and early 1900s from crosses of Smooth Fox Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Whippet and other breeds brought by English and other European immigrants, refined into an efficient, versatile ratter and small-game hunter suited to American farms. President Theodore Roosevelt reportedly gave the breed its name after his own Rat Terrier cleared a White House rat infestation, and for decades the breed was a common all-purpose farm dog across the rural United States, valued more for function than pedigree.
Living with a Rat Terrier means living with a compact, energetic, sharp-minded dog with a strong prey drive, unsurprising given its history. They need regular exercise and enjoy having a job, whether that is vermin control, agility, or simply active daily play, and can become bored and destructive without it. The short coat needs minimal grooming, just occasional brushing. Rat Terriers are typically affectionate and loyal with their family, often forming close one-on-one bonds, and can be reserved or vocal with strangers; early socialisation helps.
Today the breed remains popular in the United States as both a working farm dog and a companion, valued for its intelligence, low grooming needs and manageable size. It suits active owners who want a genuinely versatile small dog and can provide outlets for its hunting instincts.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the Rat Terrier greets people it does not know.
Trainability
4/5
Sharp and eager, responds well to consistent training.
Energy
4/5
Needs regular exercise and mental stimulation.
Barking
3/5
Alert, will bark at unfamiliar activity.
Grooming
1/5
Short coat needs minimal upkeep.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Rat Terrier is for someone taking on their first dog.
Sociability
3/5
Loyal to family, can be reserved with strangers.
Independence
3/5
Confident, will pursue prey independently.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Rat Terrier's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Colours & patterns
Recognised coats
Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.
Tricolour
Standard colour
Common combination of black, white and tan.
Black and white
Standard colour
Classic patched colouring.
Chocolate and white
Standard colour
Common patched variant.
Blue and white
Standard colour
Diluted colour variant.
Timeline
History & development
late 1800s
Immigrant terrier crosses
English and European immigrants bring terrier breeds to America, crossed to create an effective ratting dog.
early 1900s
Theodore Roosevelt's endorsement
President Roosevelt names the breed after his own dog clears a White House rat problem.
mid-1900s
Farm dog staple
The Rat Terrier becomes a common all-purpose farm dog across rural America.
1990s-2000s
Formal recognition
Breed clubs work toward formal recognition, with UKC recognition arriving in 1999.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Compact, deep chest, level topline.
- coat
- Short, smooth, dense.
- ears
- Erect or button, set high.
- eyes
- Oval, dark, alert.
- gait
- Quick, agile, effortless.
- head
- Wedge-shaped, moderate stop.
- size
- Small
- tail
- Docked or natural, carried up.
- colour
- Tricolour, Black and white, Chocolate and white, Blue and white. Colours outside this list are seen but are not accepted by the kennel clubs.
- temperament
- Typical of the breed: strongest in energy, trainability, sociability. Nervousness or aggression are serious faults in the show ring and in the home.
- general appearance
- Small, sturdy, well-balanced, agile.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
Patellar luxation
Screen for it
Ask for knee checks on breeding stock.
Primary lens luxation
Watch closely
DNA testing available and recommended.
Demodectic mange
Low concern
Occasionally seen; generally manageable with veterinary care.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Rat Terriers added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Rat Terrier
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Rat Terrier illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Rat Terrier Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Rat Terrier illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Rat Terrier Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Rat Terrier illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Rat Terrier Mug
Ceramic mug with the Rat Terrier illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Treat Pouch
Magnetic-close belt pouch for training sessions.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Rat Terrier video
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