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Before adopting a Rat Terrier, please take the time to know what you're getting into! There is far more to Rat Terriers than those endearing rattie ears. You will be happier if you choose a dog for temperament and other characteristics that fit your household and lifestyle than solely by its appearance. Please take the time to read up on the breed and making sure it is a good match before moving forward.

Socialization: For the most part, Rat Terriers are good with children and are friendly with strangers. They are very people-oriented and make faithful, loving companions who bond well with their humans and are highly eager to please. They do best with repeated exposure to new situations.

Courage: Rat Terriers run the gamut from shy and fearful to daring and fearless, but most fall close to the middle, being inquisitive and cautiously adventurous but prudent and sensitive.

Trainability: Because Rat Terriers are eager to please and very intelligent, they are generally easy to train and well mannered. Many Rat Terriers make great competitors at Agility or Flyball.

Leadership: Rat Terriers do best in households with strong, confident, consistent human leadership. Their intelligence and playfulness, combined with their innate caution, can lead to overprotection of their people or their territory if they are led to think that such behavior is their "job." Rat Terriers can benefit greatly from obedience training classes to help them bond with and communicate with their families.

Energy Level: Rat Terriers are peppy and nimble, and can be very energetic; however, they are usually not considered "hyperactive," and they do spend a great deal of their time napping or just lounging beside their people. A Rat Terrier will often tailor its energy level to the energy level of the household where it lives. Of course younger dogs in any breed will have a higher energy level than older dogs.

Exercise: Rat Terriers need a good amount of daily exercise, and should be taken on a daily long walk or jog, lasting at least 20-30 minutes a day. (But most of them, especially those under 5 years old, would enjoy and benefit from much more!) Simply going for multiple "potty walks" or having a fenced yard is not an acceptable alternative for structured exercise.

Play: Rat Terriers enjoy challenging games and outdoor romps. They are playful, inquisitive, and lively. They like stuffed toys and will gleefully and quickly "kill" the toy and pull all its stuffing out, leaving bits all over the house or yard. Many Rat Terriers love to dig. They should be provided with plenty of toys and play opportunity or they risk getting depressed and lethargic.

Prey Drive: Because Rat Terriers were bred as "ratters," most of them do have a naturally high prey drive and love to chase squirrels or other small "intruders." This strong instinct means they are generally not considered a good choice in homes with pet rabbits, hamsters, or guinea pigs, and they can't be considered safe off-leash outside of a fenced area, even if they are well trained and obedient. Some Rat Terriers are not trustworthy with cats, although others do recognize cats as members of the family rather than as prey.

Noise Level: Rat Terriers are generally not "yappers," despite the stereotype for their small size. They are alert and excitable, however, so they do make good watch dogs.

Grooming: Yes, Rat Terriers do shed. Fortunately, their hair is short and fairly thin... but it DOES show up on your black pants. An occasional brushing, along with regular nail trims, meets a Rat Terrier's grooming needs.

Health: Although they are lean and not overly muscular, Rat Terriers are hardy dogs. The most common health problems are allergies, luxating patellas (unstable kneecaps), and malocclusions (misaligned teeth).

Some good Internet sources for more information about Rat Terriers are:

Wikipedia

Dog Breed Info Central

Puppy Dog Breeds

Rat Terrier Club