Canis lupus familiaris
Rat Terrier
Featured photorat-terrier.jpgThe Rat Terrier is an all-American multipurpose farm dog developed for ratting, rabbit hunting, and vermin control. Descended from Fox Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Whippet, and Greyhound crosses brought by immigrants, the breed was ubiquitous on American farms in the 1920s–1930s. President Theodore Roosevelt reportedly named it after his terriers cleared a White House rat infestation. The AKC recognised it in 2013. Two sizes: miniature (25–33 cm) and standard (33–46 cm).
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Terrier
- Origin country
- United States
- Origin period
- Late 19th century
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Bicolor or Tricolor with White, Chocolate, Black, Lemon, Blue, Tan
- Average lifespan
- 12-18 years
- Recognition
- AKC 2013 · UKC 1999
Origin
The Rat Terrier evolved in the United States from the late 19th century as farmers and homesteaders crossed diverse terrier types to produce a fast, intelligent multipurpose vermin controller. Foundation breeds included the Smooth Fox Terrier and Manchester Terrier, which gave the characteristic terrier temperament and ratting drive. Regional variants incorporated Whippet and Italian Greyhound blood in the Midwest (to increase speed for jackrabbit hunting), and Beagle blood in the South (for scenting ability in the fields). The breed's peak popularity was the 1920s–1940s, when an estimated one million Rat Terriers worked on American farms.
Recognition
The Rat Terrier's status as a purely functional crossbreed type made formal breed registration relatively late. The UKC recognised the Rat Terrier in 1999, establishing a breed standard. The National Rat Terrier Association worked to document the breed's history and achieve AKC recognition. The AKC admitted the breed to the Miscellaneous Class in 2010 and granted full Terrier Group recognition in 2013. The FCI has not recognised the breed.
Standard
The AKC standard recognises two size varieties: miniature (25–33 cm) and standard (33–46 cm). The breed is described as a well-proportioned, active, compact terrier with a short, dense, smooth coat. Any colour or pattern with some white is acceptable; solid colours without white are not. The skull is broad and slightly domed; the muzzle is moderately long and tapers to a slightly blunt point. The breed should give the impression of elegant, athletic, capable movement. Both sexes in each size variety weigh proportionally to their height.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-05-07
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-07
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-05-07
Frequently asked questions
What AKC group does the Rat Terrier belong to?
The AKC places the Rat Terrier in the Terrier Group. The breed was developed in America specifically for ratting — controlling rat and rabbit populations on farms — which is the classic terrier function. The Rat Terrier is the parent breed of the American Hairless Terrier, which also belongs to the AKC Terrier Group.
Did Theodore Roosevelt name the Rat Terrier?
The story holds that President Theodore Roosevelt, who kept terriers at the White House, named the breed 'rat terrier' after his own dogs successfully eliminated a rat infestation in the White House basement. While this story is widely repeated and may be apocryphal, it is cited in breed histories as the origin of the common name. The term 'rat terrier' was in use before Roosevelt's presidency to describe working terriers kept for ratting.
What two sizes does the Rat Terrier come in?
The AKC recognises two size varieties of the Rat Terrier: miniature (25–33 cm at the withers) and standard (33–46 cm). Both varieties share the same conformation standard, temperament, and coat type, differing only in size. The miniature variety was developed for working in tight underground spaces and for companionship, while the standard size retained the traditional farm-dog proportions.
