Rat Terrier

The Rat Terrier is an American breed developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from a blend of working terriers including the Smooth Fox Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Bull Terrier, and Whippet, producing an all-purpose farm dog prized for hunting vermin and small game. Compact and muscular yet swift and agile, the Rat Terrier was a fixture on American homesteads—famously kept by President Theodore Roosevelt—and proved itself equally adept at fieldwork and family companionship. Today it is known for its alert, inquisitive nature, surprising versatility in dog sports, and strong bonds with its human family.

Physical Traits