Rat Terrier is a breed of dog which originated in England in 1820 from a cross between a Smooth Coat Fox Terrier and a Manchester Terrier. They were first brought to the United States around 1890 and raised for the purpose of a sport called rat baiting.
Rat Terriers are not big as the standard size is around 14 to 23 inches in height and 12 to 35 pounds in weight. You can also get a Rat Terrier toy dog, which is smaller and weighs around 4 to 6 pounds and they are only 8 inches high.
This is a perfect dog for someone who lives in an apartment. Even when the dog wants to play it doesn't need a yard. A Rat Terrier will always find a way to have fun, even in a small place. Rat Terriers are very intelligent and alert dogs. They are perfect companions for anyone, especially the elderly as they are very affectionate. The Rat Terrier breed is very friendly, even to strangers, and, they are perfect for kids, especially if they have grown up together.
The Rat Terrier was originally used as a hunting dog years ago. However, keep in mind that they are not good swimmers and you must take care if they are around the water. They are a little bit hard to train, as they are stubborn and very playful. This is a good reason to put Rat Terrier puppies in obedience training.
Rat Terrier dogs like to dig and they are very active dogs. They love the outdoors and they need regular exercise. They are easy to groom as you can just brush them occasionally to remove excess hair. This is a very healthy dog breed as they live to be around 15 to 18 years old.
Some of their common body characteristics include their compact size and shape, small heads with a pointed muzzle, and the tail length can either be short or long. Even with their compact frame they have great muscles and deep chests. A Rat Terrier also come in various colors, solid red, black and tan or tri-spotted. Rat Terrier dogs are also very sensitive and very alert to sounds. They are good to take care of your home as they will let you know if they hear something uncommon. 
This is a good dog to have in your home for your family. They don't require a lot of maintenance and it able to fit in any type of house.
The American Kennel Club has not yet recognized the Rat Terrier breed, but the Rat Terrier has been eligible for the AKC Foundation Stock Service registration since 2004. Although this dog has not been recognized, it's not a reason to stay away from them if you want to have one for your family and home.
There are a lot of books where you can find further information about this breed, but no matter what you find, know that they are loving and loyal dogs that will always be there for you. Your Rat Terrier will be waiting for you when you get home after a hard day's work greeting you at the door.
