Rat Terrier
An American farm terrier named, by the usual story, by Theodore Roosevelt. Kept to clear vermin out of a barn, and it will still empty one in an afternoon.
Photo by Kim Seegmiller, CC BY-SA 3.0
Overview
The Rat Terrier is an American farm dog assembled from imported terriers and, later, Whippet and Beagle, and it was bred purely for function: clearing vermin out of barns. Theodore Roosevelt kept them and one line is named for him.
It comes in two sizes and it is genuinely versatile, working as a ratter, a small game hunter and a farm companion, and it is one of the longer lived breeds at twelve to eighteen years.
Temperament
Bright, busy and affectionate. Rat Terriers are devoted to their families, good with children, and they are more biddable than most terriers.
The prey drive is serious and applies to anything small. They dig, they bark, and they are excellent escape artists. They are also clever, sensitive and eager to please, which makes them one of the easier terriers to train.
Care and grooming
A short dense coat, a weekly rub down, moderate shedding. Very easy.
Primary lens luxation and progressive retinal atrophy have DNA tests, and patellar luxation and Legg Calve Perthes disease occur. Demodectic mange is also seen. The breed is generally very healthy.
Living and exercise
An hour to ninety minutes a day plus mental work. They excel at earthdog, agility and barn hunt.
A fence sunk into the ground. They are one of the better all round American breeds and they are still uncommon outside working homes.
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