In today’s article it is all about Rat Terrier pros and cons, in which we will outline and go in detail explaining them one after the other.
Ratties were first bred as farm dogs. With the aid of their Rat Terriers, farmers may hunt rodents and parasites both above and below the ground. Additionally, they will assist in locating and trapping small animals around the farm.
Speaking of Rat Terriers, they are quite brave and vigilant, and because they are devoted to and attentive to their masters, they are very willing to serve them.
Ratties are sociable dogs with lots of energy who get along well with other animals. They don’t act aggressively as other dogs do.
Rat Terrier Pros And Cons
Rat Terriers are known for being incredibly sociable, sensitive, and loyal to their owners, Rat Terriers get along well with kids.
Even if they occasionally exhibit excessive independence and stubbornness, with the right training and socialization during the first few months of adoption, they will adjust since they pick things very quickly.
Rat Terriers are cheerful dogs in addition to being sociable and energetic, but we should be careful about their attitude toward strangers as it might be skeptical.
Let’s start with the list of pros of owning a Rat Terrier:
1. Rat Terriers are a highly smart and happy dog.
The Rat Terrier is a highly wise and happy dog for its owner.
This dog breed is intelligent; they pick things up quickly and act upon them right away, always staying one step ahead of their owner.
Even if they might not know everything, you must start while they are young if you want to buy them cheaply, knowing that they are smart and simple to teach.
As long as you know the basics and how to teach them, they can obey simple commands.
Use treats as you teach them the basics of obedience because they are food-driven.
Due to their competitive agility and willingness to learn new tricks, this breed of dog will comply with all you teach them.
2. Rat Terriers are devoted partners.
Ratties undoubtedly make excellent pets since they are companionable and loyal to their owners.
They are easygoing, ready to please, and rapidly form bonds with their favorite people, making sure to follow them about the home as their shadows.
Rat Terriers are good pets because they are so loyal and eager to please. Pethelpful, says; Dogs are fun. They play with you and will run with you.
Since our Rat Terrier is genuinely our loyal companion, we must always keep this in mind and make sure that everything is in order if we want them to love us as much as they love us.
If care is not taken, Rat Terriers can develop an unhealthy overprotectiveness toward their owners and even exhibit aggression toward strangers who approach them too closely.
There may even be an issue if this happens and your Rat Terrier finally gains control and becomes overly protective of you and your family members.
3. Rat Terriers are simple to learn.
Ratties are smart dogs who are quick to pick up new tricks. Read more; Are Rat Terriers easy to train?
Given that they have natural hunting tendencies, it’s crucial to start them on the right training regimen, say, in their first three to six months.
Due to their intelligence, you can easily teach them as you read about the best dog socialization tips to help you get them used to meet new people and other pets around your house.
Training your Rat Terrier won’t be a problem if you don’t have time because of your job because they can pick things up rapidly and adapt, therefore you may do it for a fair fee with a virtual trainer.
Owning a Rat Terrier is a major thing for you since you won’t have to spend a lot of time teaching them.
They are already energized, so they can enjoy the training for hours without feeling tired.
4. With Rat Terriers you will stay fit.
As long as your Rat Terrier is energetic, regular exercise, say for up to 30 minutes each day, is required to keep them active.
But if you don’t offer them enough exercise, their bodies won’t be able to keep them mentally stimulated, which might make them act destructively to let off energy.
Having a Rat Terrier as a pet can also help you to become more energetic and active since they may take part in your life as you exercise with them, such as when you go for walks and runs or go rollerblading, running, and cycling with them.
This is a brave act. You already know that our bodies require exercise to be healthy and active, but by working with our Ratties, we can achieve this aim.
5. Rat Terriers Are Exceptionally Loving.
When looking for a pet to adopt, I don’t believe Rat Terriers stand out, since they are loving and eager to show their owners’ affection.
Since this kind of Rat Terrier values the human company, they frequently cuddle up to you as a sign of their affection.
It’s appealing to consider what a pet parent needs from their pet, if not pleasure and joy for their pet to experience.
If you’re ready and have the sort of personality that encourages this kind of behavior, Rat Terriers will show you their affection.
6. They’re simple to maintain.
Rat Terriers have a double coat with a short, straight topcoat that is neither curled nor wavy.
This type of fur coat doesn’t require a lot of upkeep or grooming.
Giving your Rat Terrier a weekly brushing and wash is the best way to keep up with cleaning their body to get rid of lost fur and dander. They shed a lot.
You won’t have to worry about giving your Rat Terrier another bath if you continue to brush their body once a week.
Only if you find your Rat Terrier has dug or rolled about in mud outside should you give them a bath.
Additionally, you may save some money by grooming your Rat Terrier yourself.
7. Rat Terriers are sound.
Ratties are extremely healthy dogs with long lifespans of 13 to 15 years. They are typically a good breed and worthwhile to raise.
There are no specific major health problems that Rat Terriers are prone to.
They have typical health issues that any dog breed might experience throughout the course of their lifetime.
Because of this, it’s important to make sure that before making any decision to use your Rat Terrier for breeding, you seek for a reliable breeder who will verify that any puppies you obtain have passed the health exams required for the breed.
In the end, you’ll have a nice breed of dog—or at the very least, a dog that is healthy and behaves well is trainable, and gives you peace of mind.
It is good to consider the Rat Terrier pros and cons first.
8. Rat Terriers are small dogs.
When choosing between other dogs, the Rat Terrier’s size is perfect and is most probable and preferred.
There are certain benefits to keeping a small dog when it comes to living conditions, despite their size.
Ratties typically have the appearance of being a petite breed and weigh 14 to 18 pounds.
They are barely 10 to 15 inches tall, which makes them stand out.
They have the benefit of being able to live in virtually any type of residence.
Due to their modest body size, they don’t take up much space in their resting area or crate, which poses no problems for the owner.
When you wish to transport them about in a carrier or bag, their small size makes it convenient and easy. If required, they can be transported without a cover.
Due to their small size, you can easily transport them on that wonderful road trip you’ve been planning when your Rat Terrier is ill, and you want to transfer him to the local vet.
9. Ratties consume moderate amounts of food.
Dogs often consume a lot of food, but if you can train your Rat Terrier to be food-oriented, it will make training much simpler for you after you’ve discovered their favorite treat.
In terms of food intake, their small stature is really helpful. They have a moderate dietary intake.
But because they don’t eat a lot, and you won’t have to spend a lot on their food, you can meet your Rat Terrier’s nutritional needs for the rest of its life.
You can get a clear view of this on; how much should a Rat Terrier eat?
Up to four or five times as much as a Rat Terrier can be consumed by large breeds. It’s a crucial factor to take into account when purchasing a puppy for budget-conscious dog owners.
Now, this is the list of cons of owning a Rat Terrier:
10. Rat Terriers need a great workout.
A person with a strict time schedule will find this assignment challenging, but for what reason?
Ratties, regardless of their size, have a lot of energy, therefore it’s important to keep them active every day by exercising them for 30 to 40 minutes before you leave.
It could be difficult to drag them outside every day for exercise if, for example, you are not very active owing to old age or anything similar and you live in an apartment.
Ratties require significant exercise, which is not optional; you must provide it constantly to meet their needs, which may be wholly unfulfilled and be seen unfavorably.
However, there are other ways you might respond to their need for exercise.
Exercise with them will need you to just be outside and move about, thus this is for those who live in a vast yard or in a remote region.
Making a schedule for regular walks with your Rat Terrier is all you need to do if you have a limited yard and your dog won’t be able to run about.
Even if it cannot be avoided, which can be viewed as a negative, there are many ways and opportunities to provide exercise. Rat Terrier pros and cons are considered.
11. Rat Terriers requires extensive training.
Owing to the fact that Ratties are intelligent dogs that quickly pick up new skills. You have to consider the Rat Terrier pros and cons.
To maintain their good behavior consistently, they nevertheless require a lot of training.
Since the Rat Terrier has a high level of energy, he needs additional training to keep him mentally stimulated because failing to do so might result in aggressive or destructive behavior.
To put it simply, training a Rat Terrier takes time, effort, and knowledge, yet they are quick learners.
12. Ratties might be hostile toward outsiders and other animals.
Ratties are recognized for having strong hunting instincts and have the potential to become aggressive against humans and other animals.
Rat Terriers are willing to overprotect their owners just because of their everlasting affection for them.
In the meanwhile, they could behave violently toward visitors’ dogs and unfamiliar people.
As a pack animal, Rat Terriers get along well with other animals, and because of their boundless energy when playing, other pets may quickly become worn out. Therefore, it won’t be a simple task among the other pets.
Ratties usually appear to want to be in charge and show off how spirited they are, which might damage or negatively influence other animals. The majority of people criticize it.
13. Ratties enjoy digging.
Terriers enjoy digging. When they desire to hunt rodents, one of their instinctive behaviors is digging.
They have a keen sense of smell, which they employ to locate or pursue animals that hide in their dens and dig for them.
This dog breed will enjoy digging into every crevice of your garden in search of prey like rats, mice, and rabbits; they won’t stop until they are worn out.
They love digging so much, in fact. One con of owning a Rat Terrier is that they like to dig.
14. Rat Terriers may be noisy or vocal.
Ratties will remain quiet if you can satisfy their needs and use all of their energy. But some kind of situation can make them vocalize.
When Rat Terriers are seeking for the owners’ attention, quite sure there will be a kind of whining from them.
They might become noisy and vocal if their demand is not met.
Ratties may excessively bark when they are aggressive, destructive, stubborn, or in a situation.
Before you can calm them down in this kind of condition you need to take your time and train them, teach them obedience commands like ‘quiet’ they will understand it quickly because they’re intelligent.
Where it will become worse is when you don’t have an excellent bond with your Rat Terrier you won’t be able to understand his situation and help him.
15. Ratties are prone to separation anxiety.
In order to consider Rat Terrier pros and cons, you have to know that Rat Terriers are loyal to their owners, they’re devoted partners, and will follow you around everywhere.
You can not run away from their affection firsthand you adopted them.
If you don’t recommend and implement crate training for your Rat Terrier to start working with, you won’t be able to get rid of separation anxiety in them.
Ratties will like to be with you always and have household’s and social activities with you and never want to be left alone.
When you always give your Rat Terrier enough attention, and suddenly you stop, they will start staring at you.
Your Rat Terrier will keep having this separation anxiety when you don’t get it right at the first time with them on how they should be left alone, just teach them how to stay in their crate while you are gone.
16. Rat Terriers are escape artists.
As an escape artist, Rat Terriers are. If you don’t prepare yourself, you are going to be more frustrating when you find your Rat Terrier run away.
Ratties like wandering and chasing along the street, they always have a plan on how to plot and find their way to escape the yard.
Once you have the best fence possible for your Rat Terrier not to jump over or dig the under to escape, you have done the necessary.
If you don’t neuter your Rat Terrier, they will still have the urge to chase down the other dogs in the neighborhood. Neutering the male and spaying the female one is the only common way to alter their means of escape.
Had it been that Rat Terriers do not have hunting instincts, there will never be a time a squirrel or rodents will grab their attention and get them a random urge to make a break for it.
When you don’t keep an eye on your Rat Terrier in the beginning, there is a possibility that they will still find a means of escape, and you won’t be comfortable. This is one Rat Terrier pros and cons.
FAQs
Do Rat Terriers make good pets?
In fact, they are! Rat Terriers may keep a pleasant temperament and family life, as well as good trainability and intellect, with training, socializing, and some forgiving of their bad behaviors.
A fantastic addition to your family is the intelligent Rat Terrier.
The great farm dog, Rat Terriers make outstanding watchdogs.
Rats and other tiny pests were easily eliminated from farms because to their powerful teeth and swift mobility.
Do Rat Terriers like to be held?
In view of the truth that they make excellent family pets, Rat Terriers do like being held.
However, there are several circumstances that you should avoid when handling or carrying them.
If your Rat Terrier begins to frighten, release your grip immediately; else, he could bite you.
If you attempt to pick up or hug your Rat Terrier, he can begin to feel entrapped in your arms.
Your face being that close to hers may also be seen as a threat.
Can Rat Terrier be left alone?
Rat Terriers can indeed be left alone! By the time we maintain certain patterns, we are able to keep them entertained and secure when you are not there by feeding and putting up toys for them.
