Breed profile
Rat Terrier
Explore the care, lifestyle and household factors that matter before making a commitment.
SizeSmall
ExerciseHigh
GroomingLow
ChildrenModerate
BarkingHigh
HealthLow
What this means
Source-linked data has been researched to help you make an informed decision about life with this breed.
Read how evidence is handledAt a glance
Key facts
Size classSmall
Adult weight5 to 11.3 kg
Exercise needHigh
Energy levelHigh
BarkingHigh
Grooming effortLow
Health burdenLow
Breed profile
Life with this breed
Home and lifestyle
- Flat suitability
- Possible
- Alone tolerance
- Moderate
- Energy level
- High
- First-time owner fit
- Possible
Care and training
- Minimum daily exercise
- 45 minutes
- Mental stimulation
- High
- Trainability
- Moderate
- Grooming effort
- Low
- Professional grooming
- Low maintenance
- Shedding
- Moderate
Household fit
- Children
- Moderate
- Dogs
- Moderate
- Cats
- Limited
- Prey drive
- Very high
- Visitors
- Moderate
Health and evidence
- Health burden
- Low
- Heat tolerance
- Moderate
- Cold tolerance
- Moderate
Health-burden evidence confidence: Medium.
Recorded health considerations
- Patellar luxation
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
- Primary lens luxation
These are breed-level considerations, not a diagnosis or a guarantee that an individual dog will be affected.
Children and pets need supervision and careful introductions. Individual behaviour varies.