The rat terrier, named after its original purpose of hunting farm pests like rats, is an American breed that was created by mixing several terrier breeds including the fox terrier, bull terrier, Manchester terrier, and old English white terrier. Their initial aim was to catch prey on farms.
During the 1910s and 1920s, rat terrier breeders focused on developing particular abilities, leading to the creation of various new lineages within the breed. In the Midwest, breeders crossbred rat terriers with whippets and Italian greyhounds to produce swift dogs that could assist in managing jackrabbit populations. Meanwhile, in Central and Southwest America, they interbred rat terriers with beagles to enhance their hunting skills and produce more pack-oriented canines. Furthermore, in the 1920s, rat terriers were crossbred with toy fox terriers that didn’t meet the standards of their breeding programs, resulting in miniature versions of the breed.
The rat terrier used to be a frequent sight on American farms, but in the 1940s and 1950s, farmers started using poison to manage pests and rodents, which resulted in a decrease in their numbers. Only a few breeders managed to keep the breed from dying out until it regained popularity in the 1970s.
During this period, two additional rat terrier categories were established: the decker rat terrier, which is slightly larger and is adept at hunting and water retrieval, and the hairless rat terrier, a smaller hairless breed that comes in both miniature and standard sizes.
Rat Terrier Care
Despite being easy to groom, rat terriers require high maintenance when it comes to training and exercise. As a working dog, their energy levels are high, and they need ample daily exercise, making them a great choice for active families. Rat terriers are also known for their tendency to dig, so it’s vital to provide them with a designated digging area in the backyard.
Exercise
The rat terrier, having been bred for work and hunting purposes, boasts high levels of energy and exercise requirements. It is advisable to allow your rat terrier to exercise in a wholly enclosed area with sufficient space for movement, preferably for no less than 40 minutes every day. As the rat terrier is capable of high speeds and leaps, the fence should be around 5 or 6 feet tall. Rat terriers possess a strong instinct to hunt, making it unwise to give them the chance to roam free off-leash in an open space. In circumstances where there may not be a fenced area for your rat terrier to exercise, consider numerous, forceful walks each day.
Grooming
It is crucial to inspect your rat terrier’s ears weekly, just like with any other breed, for any indications of infection or debris. In case your dog’s ears have an unusual smell, inflammation, or redness, arrange for an immediate appointment with the veterinarian as these may be signs of injury or infection. If there is a waxy build-up, clean it gently with a cotton cloth but steer clear of cotton swabs since they can harm the delicate structures within the ear.
Taking care of your dog’s dental health is crucial. It’s recommended to brush your dog’s teeth daily, but at least once a week can suffice in preventing dental and oral problems. While dental treats are acceptable, they should not be relied on as the sole means of dental care.
To keep your rat terrier well-groomed, it is recommended to use a rubber mitt or soft brush once a week to eliminate loose hair and dirt. As they possess a short, dense and smooth coat, it is sufficient to bathe them only when required. Bear in mind that during the fall, spring and heat cycles, the breed tends to shed more heavily.
Training
The rat terrier, as with many other terrier breeds, possesses high levels of intelligence but can also display strong stubbornness. Furthermore, if they lack stimulation or become bored, these dogs can become prone to destructive behavior. Though training and obedience may present difficulties, proper conduct and socialization are crucial. By integrating games and rewards, training can remain intriguing and keep the rat terrier involved. If distractions occur or no progress is being made, alternative tactics should be experimented with.
Common Health Problems
Rat terriers are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, may be susceptible to certain health conditions. There’s no guarantee your rat terrier will—or won’t—develop these conditions, but it’s important to know the signs and symptoms should they arise in your dog.
Rat terriers frequently experience certain health issues, such as:
- Incorrect bites: A slightly deformed jaw bone can result in an incorrect, or misaligned, bite. There are three types of incorrect bites, which are all seen in rat terriers: an overshot bite; an undershot bite; and wry mouth, or a twisting of the mouth. If your rat terrier doesn’t grow out of her misaligned bite after 10 months, it’s unlikely she ever will. Surgery may be performed to correct serious misaligned bites that interfere with chewing or swallowing.
- Demodectic mange : A condition caused by demodex mites, this condition can affect rat terriers with suppressed or weakened immune systems. Look for signs like redness, patchiness, or balding on the head, neck, or front legs.
- Allergies : A condition that can be found in all breeds, your dog can develop food, contact, or airborne allergies. Treatment depends on your dog’s specific allergy and reaction.
Consult your veterinarian for easy methods to promote a long, joyous, and healthy life for your rat terrier if you have concerns about their well-being.
Diet and Nutrition
The quantity of high-quality dog food you give to your rat terrier will vary according to her size, age, and level of activity. If your dog weighs 10 pounds or less, you should give her around .25 cups, while dogs weighing between 30 and 40 pounds should receive approximately 2 cups per day. The food you give should be high in protein and of good quality.
Remember to give treats in moderation. Overeating can lead to dangerous health conditions, like canine heart disease , obesity , and diabetes .
Where to Adopt or Buy a Rat Terrier
It’s possible to easily come across Rat Terriers in your vicinity. You can pay a visit to your nearby animal shelter to examine if there are any Rat Terrier or Rat Terrier crossbreeds available. Browse websites like Petfinder.com to locate shelters based on the breed, size, gender, and other specifications. If locating a Rat Terrier within a shelter becomes challenging, seek rescue organizations that serve your locality.
If you decide to purchase a rat terrier from a breeder, make sure to conduct thorough research to ensure that you are working with a breeder who is ethical and responsible. You should ask a lot of questions, such as “Where are the puppies housed?” and “How many litters do you breed annually?” If feasible, visit the breeding location and meet the parents of the litters. Watch out for indications of backyard breeding, such as filthy surroundings or unhealthy canines.
If you decide to welcome a rat terrier into your home, be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars on care expenses. However, purchasing a rat terrier directly from a breeder can set you back as much as $2,000, particularly if you opt for a purebred.
BONUS: How to Choose the Best Dog Food
If we lived in a perfect world, every type of dog food would be identical. However, there is a vast selection of dog food available for owners, each boasting to be the greatest. Sorting through these alternatives to discover a nutritious, economical, and appetizing dog food brand can be a bothersome process. Our team of experts has gathered valuable advice to simplify your choices.
What Makes a Dog Food “Good”?
Dry kibble or canned wet food are the most commonly fed meals to dogs by the majority of people. Although we might not find these processed foods appetizing, they comprise of all the essential nutrients required for dogs to maintain good health. The contents of these dog foods typically undergo strict scrutiny by veterinary professionals during their testing and regulation to ensure premium quality. Hence, the question remains: what exactly do these dog foods consist of?
In contrast to cats, dogs are not exclusively carnivorous. Although they primarily consume meat, domestic canines can also benefit from nutrients found in grains, fruits, and vegetables. These alternative food sources offer essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber and are not merely used as filler ingredients. A high-quality dog food should incorporate a mixture of meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits that are suitable for your dog’s digestive system. The most exceptional dog foods feature top-notch versions of these components.
Dog Food Nutrition
Fulfilling your dog’s nutritional requirements is vital when selecting the optimal food for your pet. Although many commercial dog food manufacturers include the minimum essential nutritional elements in their formulations, it is crucial to note that each dog’s nutritional necessities are unique.
Throughout their lifetime, dogs need various nutrients in varying amounts. Puppies’ nutritional requirements vary from adult dogs, making it advisable to offer them a puppy formula or an “all life stages” diet. If you’re uncertain about the varying dietary needs of puppies and adult dogs, the Merck Veterinary Manual’s nutrient recommendations for dogs, which also considers their weight and age, could help. Nutritional needs differ for puppies and adult dogs, with large and small breed dogs having differing requirements.
Dog Food Myths and Misinformation
On the Internet, there are numerous dog food misconceptions and incorrect information about the diet of dogs. You can easily navigate this by adhering to one fundamental principle: validate your sources. Numerous individuals with good intentions make assertions regarding dog nutrition without providing scientific evidence. Whenever you carry out research, always check whether the information is substantiated by a trustworthy source such as a veterinarian, a canine nutrition expert, or a scientific research study. Additionally, being skeptical is advisable. If it appears excessively good to be true, it probably is.
There are a lot of inquiries regarding dog food that includes grains, animal byproducts or peas. If your dog has a grain allergy, you may choose to give them grain-free food with the advice of your vet, however, for most dogs, grains provide necessary nutrients. Quality byproducts like entrails and organ meats are also nutritious, containing more nutrients than the main muscle meat. Unregulated animal byproducts include hooves, manure, hair, floor sweepings, and intestinal contents. In case of any queries regarding your pet’s food, talk to your vet.
How to Read a Dog Food Label
To differentiate between good and bad dog food, reading the label is a useful approach. However, this can be challenging due to the small print and awkwardness of handling large bags of dog food while shopping. Moreover, dog food labels can also be deceptive according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. The FDA mandates that dog food labels include eight crucial pieces of information, and certain states might have additional labeling requirements.
- Product name
- Net weight of the product
- Name and address of the manufacturer
- Guaranteed analysis
- List of ingredients
- Intended animal species (i.e. dog or cat)
- Statement of nutritional adequacy
- Feeding guidelines
Product Name
Simply by looking at the product name, you can discern a lot about what it contains. If the product is labeled as “beef,” this indicates that at least 70 percent of the contents must be beef. In the case of products labeled as “beef dinner,” “beef entrée,” or “beef platter,” however, the minimum requirement drops to just 10 percent. A product labeled as “with beef” only needs to contain 3 percent beef, while “beef flavor” indicates that there is just enough beef present to add flavor (less than 3 percent). This same principle applies to products labeled with other named ingredients, like “chicken.”
Ingredients
The quality of ingredients and their source cannot be determined from the ingredient list on a dog food label. To ensure equal distribution, manufacturers divide ingredients like corn into different types, such as flaked or ground, which lowers their rank on the list. Meat poses another challenge as it contains water weight, lowering its actual percentage in the food. Meat meal, on the other hand, may seem unappetizing but has a higher meat content, as there is no water weight to consider.
Although the quality of the ingredients is not disclosed on the ingredient list, it does reveal the contents of the food. This is of significant importance to dogs that have specific dietary requirements or allergies and can also be advantageous for dog owners who want to provide their pets with specific sources of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber.
