Rat Terrier anyone?--Picked out our puppy today!!--Updated with picture

[golfgal]

Well, the kids won, they are getting a dog for Christmas. We have some friends that have rat terrier puppies and we are going to get one of those. I originally wanted a poodle mix but not at $2000 I think the dogs are purebreds but I don't think they have "papers" which is fine, we aren't going to show the dog or anything. Just wondering if you have any tips or information for me. I haven't seen the puppies yet, will probably go out to their farm sometime this week. They have 3 females left, so we will get a female. They own the mom and dad so I will be able to get a good idea of how big the dog will get. I have been looking on the internet and found some information but one question I do have is the dogs need a lot of exercise which is fine, our kids are active, but could a rat terrier, when grown, go on longer, say 2-3 mile runs with DS13? It sounds like they have a lot of wind but are they too small for this?


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UPDATE: Well I picked our our puppy today. She is so cute. She is all black with tan paws and eyebrows and around the muzzle. She has some white down her chest. None of the puppies barked even once when I was there. The owners said that the mom does a good job raising the puppies and teaches them well. We will pick her up either Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. I will post a picture when the kids are not around!!! I didn't get very good pictures because we were outside and the puppies were playing.

 

[DisneyRoys]

I have two female rat terriers who are aged 4 and 5. They are around 12 lbs. each which I think is pretty standard for rat terriers. They are still extrememly high energy dogs and love to run. When we take them on walks they immediately start running while on their leads. Now that I am really thinking about it the dogs run all the time: through the house, in the back yard, etc. So I really don't think they would have a problem running for two or three miles.

The dogs LOVE the kids. They follow the kids around the house and always want to play. We have NEVER had them growl or nip at anyone. Not even when the kids walk by and pet them while they are eating. They just love people. They are extremely intelligent and can be taught tricks easily.

The only problem we have had with them is that they will dig holes and occasionally they will catch small animals (squirrels and frogs) or a bird. When a frog hops under their dog house they will dig under the house trying to get the frog. Just be prepared this may happen but really this could happen with any dog or cat. Rat terriers were originally breed to catch rats so they are just doing what comes natural.

These are the best dogs we have ever had. I can't imagine ever getting any other breed now.

 

[jrmasm]

Can you post pics of your terriers? I have little girl that I got from a rescue. I was told that she was Toy Fox Terrier but think she might be a Rat Terrier.

 

[DisneyRoys]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002AQOZS.01-A9P1KZBSDQIPK._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

One of my terriers looks exactly like this Hartz dog. The other one is is just black and white but very similar looking. I don't have any pics I can post right now but this gives you an idea of what they look like.

Edited to add:

If you go to google and do an image search for rat terrier you will find tons of cute pictures!! Makes me want to get another puppy!

 

[Cindyluwho]

Could I please, please ask that you do one thing? Please check out puppyfinder or another website that has a questionair that you can fill out which will help you determine which kind of breed BEST suits your family. "because the neighbors have puppies" isn't a good reason. There are so many breeds out there and it is a life long commitment when you get a puppy. Rat Terriers are awesome, there's no doubt about it - BUT they may not be the breed best suited to your family unless you have time for training (with the whole family) and for lots and lots of exercise time. Research all of the breeds, it's really fun - let the kids help!

 

[jrmasm]

The Hartz dog looks more like a JRT to me. Maybe I'm not on the right track after all.

And I did Google for images, she looks alot like some but not others (make sense?) which is why I'm still wondering.

Eh, maybe she just a mutt!

 

[Sandy V.]

When I was growing up, we had rat terriers. They're great little animals; ours were very smart and affectionate. They were good with kids too.

They DO dig, though, so be prepared for that.

 

[jrmasm]

And for the record, the dog I am trying to identify came from Petfinder as did her 2 sisters.

 

[jrmasm]

Here's mine:

http://pic19.picturetrail.com/VOL1098/4065339/8533887/117420105.jpg

 

[DisneyRoys]

I wasn't sure what a Toy Fox Terrier looked like so I googled images on those too. Jacks, Rats, and Toy Foxes all look very similar. I can see it would be hard to determine which is which.

Your dog is very cute! She looks more like a Rat Terrier or the Toy Fox Terrier than the Jack Russells I have seen.

My friend has two Jacks and they just seem stockier than my dogs and slighty bigger. Their snouts are also bigger around. Their hair is wirey while my dog's hair is very sleek but that could just be genetics and not a breed specific trait.

 

[Christine]

I *almost* got a Rat Terrier--such CUTE puppies they are. But I ended up with a Jack Russell. I think they are similar. I will say that my Jack Russell is a VERY good leash walker and can walk for miles and miles and never get distracted. She keeps her nose to the ground and looks straight ahead. She would be the perfect running dog! I imagine the Rat would be too. Now, my hound is another story. The dogs stops to smell and look at everything. No way you could run with that dog.

I think you'll love the dog. Terriers of all kinds really have the most wonderful and intelligent personalities. They are a bit high strung though, although I don't consider my JRT to be a problem at all. The only issue with a dog that small (my JRT is only 11 lbs) is if the slats between your fence are too far apart. We had to put chicken wire along our entire fence. It took my DH weeks and he was not too happy. But, if not, she could have squeeze through.

 

[minkydog]

My sister has one that half Rat terrier/half JRT. I've never seen a dog with so much energy. She's a great dog, though and not really yappy. Just VERY energetic. She's at least 10 now and she hasn't slowed one bit. My Sis just loves her to pieces, even though she sheds like nobody's business.

My advice is to heavily research breeds to determine if this is the right dog for you. It took me 5 months of research to really know what we wanted and in the end we determined that MOM has to be happy with the choice, since I was going to be the primary caretaker. We got our poodle mix from a rescue group and he is AWESOME. He has so many characteristics of a poodle, the vet has suggested he may be purebred. He's active outdoors and a couch potato indoors(he's a big standard.)The best part is the minimal shedding.

So if you are still thinking "poodle" don't give up; look into rescue dogs. Ours cost $100 and he's worth 20 times that.

 

[jbdreamer]

I had a rat terrier gowing up, and she was by far the best pet our family ever had. She was extreamly friendly, and would let kids do pretty much anything to her without getting upset. I think it is a great choice for a family dog. I think the dog would be fine going on long runs - once it's a little older.

Good luck!

 

[airhead]

I've trained 2. they are smart and active. This is not a couch potato. I suggest if you want a sound animal,that you leave the dog with its mother for at least 8 weeks. There are lessons for puppy to learn that humans aren't capable of teaching. Get yourself a crate and use it. RTs can be detructive as all pups can be. When you get your pup,and AFTER its had its shots,SOCIALIZE SOCIALIZE SOCIALIZE that dog! Walk him,DO NOT CARRY him,on different surfaces. Expose him/her to different sounds(traffic,loud radios and TV's ,kids,other animals)Everything you can think of! When you bring your dog to the vet(in her crate,of course),give him lots of treats everytime you go. He'll associate the vets with good things. Puppies are the best! Good luck and have fun!!

 

[golfgal]

I have done a lot of research and the Rat Terrier is one that come up higher on our list so that is fine. The puppies are about 8 weeks old right now and they are going to keep it for us until Christmas so it will be about 12 weeks when we get the dog. It's first shots will be given by the owners who are farmers and do this for their animals DAILY so that is good, the dog won't think shot when we take it to the vet. We have 3 active kids and DH and I grew up with dogs so we are used to the dogs. We also live on the main walking route to the school so there are lots of people walking/driving by our house every day so that will help. We also have about 10 extra kids in the house daily or so it seems, so that will help as well. I am waiting to hear back from our friends to see if I can run out and pick out a puppy! I have to stop at Walmart on the way out and pick up a cute collar or something now. .

 

[sheilarose2]

We have a toy rat terrier(pepper) that was born mothers day weekend and she is now 6 months old. I can tell you that i had MANY people tell me not to get this kind of dog since I have children....I am soooo glad that I DIDN'T listen to them!!!!!!! This is probably the best thing that I could have ever done for my kids and for the dog. I myself am not a pet person but "pepper" has me wrapped. She is like one of my kids. She loves to play with my kids and cries if she sees them outside and she can't get to them. She is very protective of them as well even though she is small. She sleeps with them and me also. SHe is apricot and white and a gallon of milk weighs more than she does. I don't think she will get any bigger either. True joy and pleasure having her. She is spoiled rotten. SHe is hyper but she also has her down time when she just wants to sleep. My daughter is 3 and she carries pepper around like a baby doll and pepper lets her. It didn't take long to potty train her-I just stuck with one phrase-Do you need to go outside-and she is at the door waiting for me to take her. Absolutely the best!!!! Good luck in your decision.
Sheila

 

[Christine]

We have a toy rat terrier(pepper) that was born mothers day weekend and she is now 6 months old. I can tell you that i had MANY people tell me not to get this kind of dog since I have children....I am soooo glad that I DIDN'T listen to them!!!!!!! This is probably the best thing that I could have ever done for my kids and for the dog. I myself am not a pet person but "pepper" has me wrapped. She is like one of my kids. She loves to play with my kids and cries if she sees them outside and she can't get to them. She is very protective of them as well even though she is small. She sleeps with them and me also. SHe is apricot and white and a gallon of milk weighs more than she does. I don't think she will get any bigger either. True joy and pleasure having her. She is spoiled rotten. SHe is hyper but she also has her down time when she just wants to sleep. My daughter is 3 and she carries pepper around like a baby doll and pepper lets her. It didn't take long to potty train her-I just stuck with one phrase-Do you need to go outside-and she is at the door waiting for me to take her. Absolutely the best!!!! Good luck in your decision.
Sheila

Okay Sheila--I MUST see a picture of Pepper.

 

[Nickimouse]

Oh golfgal I'm excited for you and your family! We got out first dog(also had them growing up) last Jan. She was the best decision we ever made. She really is almost like having another kid.
I had a smile on my face when you described waking your DD with her on Christmas morning.How sweet!
Enjoy your new family member!


I had to add; When you posted about a puppy a few days ago I went to petfinders just to look around and made an adorable discovery. I found a sweet little dog that looks so much like our Sassy. She was given up by her owners after 6 years and was sent to a Corgi rescue in Ohio. We are now seriously considering giving sassy a new sister. That poor thing needs a stable family.
The DIS is either finding me great information or getting me into trouble!

 

[elgerber]

I have always been a big dog person, grew up with a 120 pound malamute. My 65 pound Golden (who we just lost 2 weeks ago, sniff sniff) was too small for us. So imagine our surprise when we inherited a 6 pound 4 month old rat terrier in September. It's a long story how she came to us, but we are so in love with her it's pathetic. My dd who liked the Golden but did not care to interact with him much (she cannot possibly be my daughter) just adores her. She wakes the kids up each morning, and they wake up happy! She has a ton of energy, but she also loves to just cuddle up with you and snuggle while you watch tv. She has plenty of down time during the day. If I can find one, I will try to post a picture of her. She is wonderful.

 

[elgerber]

Here is my Izzy... (hopefully this works)