About The Rat Terrier

The Rat Terrier is an American dog breed, one of many terrier varieties. It is a small, active terrier. Although the breed has been around in similar form since the early 1900s, it has remained more of a type than a breed.

The Rat Terrier comes in a variety of coat colors and patterns. It is often white with either black and tan, apricot, blue, or brown spots. The most common color is the tricolor: black, tan, and white. Many have ticking on the white part of the coat; most have freckles on their bellies. Ear carriage can be upright, tipped, or button, and the tail is traditionally docked to about 1/3 of its original length.

The Rat Terrier ranges from about 5 to 40 pounds, although the larger sizes are sometimes called Deckers or Decker Giants, after a breeder named Milton Decker who has been developing a larger version of the Rat Terrier. The Toy size (10 pounds and under) is becoming increasingly popular as a house pet & companion dog. Despite their diminutive size, many Toy Rat Terriers display the same prey drive & hunting instincts as their larger cousins.