Rat Terrier Appearance and Identification

The Rat Terrier is a small to medium-sized dog with a compact, muscular body.

They typically weigh between 10 and 25 pounds.

Their short, smooth coat comes in a variety of colors including solid, bi-color, and tri-color patterns.

Rat Terriers usually stand between 10 and 18 inches tall at the shoulder.

Their broad, wedge-shaped head is one of their distinctive features.

A Rat Terrier's physical characteristics are quite distinctive. They come in two sizes: miniature and standard, with the miniature typically standing between 10-13 inches tall and weighing between 10-25 pounds.

Their head should resemble a wedge that's blunt and smooth, with a gradual widening towards the ear base. The ears should be V-shaped and set on the top outside edge of the skull, with a length that's proportional to the head.

The eyes are oval-shaped, not large, and set obliquely, with a wide space between them. The eye color depends on the coat color, ranging from dark brown to hazel, except for blue-fawn or blue-colored dogs, which may have gray-colored eyes.

Here's a summary of the Rat Terrier's physical characteristics:

Their overall appearance should be compact and sturdy, with a fit and elegant look. The tail should appear to be a continuation of the spine, and the gait should be efficient and ground-covering.

The Rat Terrier is a muscular, active, small-to-medium hunting terrier. They have a broad, slightly domed, wedge-shaped head that is proportionate to the size of the body.

Their ears are V-shaped, set at the outside edges of the skull, and may be erect or button. The preferred ratio of length of body to height is 10:9.

Rat Terriers come in solid white, other solid colors with markings, and white with a variety of colored patches. Each dog is unique, but every Rat Terrier must include white somewhere on their body.

The Rat Terrier's tail is set on at the end of the croup, and a docked or natural bob tail is preferred. However, a natural tail is not a fault.

Here are the ideal proportions of a Rat Terrier:

The Rat Terrier's gait is smooth and effortless, with good reach of forequarters and strong driving power from the rear quarters.

Eyes are set obliquely and are round, small, and somewhat prominent. Eye color ranges from dark brown to amber and corresponds with coat color. Hazel eyes are acceptable in dogs with lighter coat color. Blue or amber eyes are permitted in blue-colored dogs only, but a dark gray eye with gray eye rims is preferred. Eye rims match nose pigment.

Bulgy eyes are considered a fault in this breed. Deep-set eyes are also a fault.

A unique perspective: Rat Terrier Blue

The Jack-Rat Terrier breed can vary greatly in appearance, even within the same litter, due to being a hybrid.

They typically weigh between 20 to 26 pounds and stand between 13 to 18 inches tall.

The Jack-Rat Terrier has a double coat that sheds frequently and comes in a variety of colors, including white, blue, tan, yellow, and tri-color.

Their coat is not well-suited for cold weather, and they tend to tolerate it poorly.

You can find Rat Terriers in a range of sizes, from small to medium, depending on the individual dog.

Broaden your view: Jack Russell vs Rat Terrier

Rat Terriers come in two sizes, which can be important to consider depending on the ratter's purpose and owner preferences.

The AKC and UKC recognize two size divisions: Miniature and Standard. The Miniature variety is quite small, not exceeding 13 inches in height.

The Standard variety is slightly larger, measuring over 13 inches but not exceeding 18 inches in height. Weight will vary depending on the size of the individual dog.

Rat Terriers should be presented in hard, muscular condition, which is more likely to be achieved with regular exercise and a healthy diet.

Expand your knowledge: Miniature Toy Rat Terrier

Rat Terriers are incredibly diverse when it comes to their colors. With 18 colors recognized by the AKC, no two dogs are alike.

Their unique color palette includes blue, lemon, red, and many others, making each Rat Terrier one-of-a-kind. Every Rat Terrier must include white somewhere on their body.

Their coats can be a single color or a combination of colors, such as a tri-color variation. The coat is a double coat that sheds quite often.

The colors of a Rat Terrier's coat can vary greatly, even within the same litter, due to their hybrid nature.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Rat Terrier Colors