15 Important Factors to Consider Before You Adopt a Rat Terrier
You love their bright eyes, big personality, and fearless little-dog swagger.
We do too—and we have the mud-stained sneakers and chewed treat pouches to prove it.
Here are the factors that actually matter before you bring a Rat Terrier home, so you adopt with open eyes and a happy heart.
1. Daily Energy Needs Are Real
Rat Terriers are athletic little dynamos. Plan on 60 to 90 minutes of activity a day split between brisk walks, fetch, and structured play.
They settle nicely afterward, but if you skip the outlet, they will invent their own—usually sprinting laps and rearranging your throw pillows.
2. Prey Drive Changes Your Walks
This breed was designed to dispatch vermin. Squirrels, rabbits, and birds flip a switch.
Use a well-fitted harness and keep a reliable recall on a long line in safe spaces. Off-leash in unfenced areas is rarely a good idea.
3. Intelligence Is a Gift and a Challenge
They learn fast—both what you teach and what you forget to prevent. Boredom becomes mischief, door-darting, or creative countersurfing.
Rotate puzzles, teach tricks, and mix up routes. Ten minutes of nose work can drain more energy than a monotonous jog.
4. Barking: Alert, Not Aggressive
Expect quick alerts to knocks, footsteps in the hall, and delivery trucks. It is part of their job description.
Teach a quiet cue and pay generously for calm. White noise and window film help apartment dwellers.
5. Space and Yard Setup
They do fine in apartments with real exercise, but in a yard they are diggers and escape artists.
Inspect fences for gaps, latch gates, and provide a legal dig zone like a sandbox to save your garden.
6. Grooming Is Easy, Shedding Is Seasonal
Short, smooth coat. Weekly brushing, occasional baths, and regular nail trims are usually enough.
They do shed—especially spring and fall—so a rubber curry brush and a good vacuum are your friends.
7. Health Watchouts
Common concerns include patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes, hip issues, and eye conditions. Allergies can pop up, and some lines are sensitive to certain flea products.
Choose an adopter or rescue that shares medical history. Budget for annual exams and be ready to see a specialist if persistent limping or squinting appears.
8. Small-Dog Teeth Need Big Attention
Like many small breeds, Rat Terriers are prone to tartar and periodontal disease.
Daily toothbrushing, dental chews that meet VOHC standards, and professional cleanings as advised will save teeth and money.
9. Weather Sensitivity
Thin coat means they feel the cold. A simple sweater and limiting time on icy sidewalks helps.
In heat, they go hard and forget to stop. Walk at cooler hours, bring water, and watch for overexertion.
10. Kids and Family Fit
Well-socialized Rat Terriers can be playful buddies for respectful kids.
We coach gentle handling, no chase games, and a kid-free retreat spot. Supervise around snacks; they are quick and opportunistic.
11. Small Pets and Prey Species
With cats, results vary—some coexist with slow introductions, others fixate. With rodents or pocket pets, management must be airtight.
Crate-and-rotate and closed-door policies prevent bad outcomes. If you want a free-roaming rabbit roommate, pick a different breed.
12. Training Style That Works
Positive reinforcement, short sessions, and clear rules shine with this breed. They shut down with harsh corrections but thrive on games and jackpots.
13. Alone Time and Routine
They bond closely and can protest sudden long absences. Build independence with crate training and food-stuffed toys.
Most adults settle with a predictable schedule and a midday potty break.
14. Lifespan and Long-Term Plan
Rat Terriers often reach the mid-teens with good care. That is a decade-plus commitment of walks, training refreshers, and preventative vetting.
Think ahead about housing, travel, and who can help if life changes.
15. Adoption Path and Budget
Start with Rat Terrier rescues, local shelters, and breed-savvy foster networks. Ask about temperament, prey drive, medical notes, and energy level in the current home.
Pros
What you will love
- Smart, trainable, and deeply people-focused
- Compact size with real athletic ability
- Low-maintenance coat
- Great hiking and adventure buddy when managed
Cons
What to plan for
- High prey drive and door-dart risk
- Alert barking needs management
- Can be destructive when under-exercised
- Cold-sensitive and heat-proud—needs weather planning
Budget for adoption fees, initial vet visit, vaccinations if due, microchip update, harness and ID tags, crate, puzzle toys, and training classes.
Sviatoslav Oleksiv founded The Pets and Love in 2019. A lifelong pet owner and Rhodesian Ridgeback enthusiast, he writes and edits our guides to help fellow pet parents give their animals the best care.
Every guide follows our editorial standards. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice — always consult a licensed veterinarian about your pet's health.