Hey Everyone,

I am looking for a new dog and met the sweetest Rat Terrier the other day! While trying to do a little research on the breed this morning I found your site. Would you mind answering a few questions for me?  I live in Georgia. Anywhere near the Atlanta area and North up to Gilmer County.

1.  Would you get another one?

2. Do they Shed alot and has anyone had experience with the hairless variety?

3.  Where is the best place to get them? I won't do pet stores and would like to know how I can tell if the breeder is reputable.

4. What have you found as the biggest problem you have found with this breed?

Thanks so much!

Rybekka

First of all a Big Welcome. Glad you found us. You'll find so much information here.
Yes, if anything happened to our little Ernie, I would get another in a heartbeat.
Shedding is a factor but not as much as you would think. I have had other breeds that were much worse. Being a short haired breed, it really isn't a major factor.
Biggest problem??? Maybe laughing too hard at there antics. They are strong willed but so intelligent and easy to train. I can't think of a major problem.
Breeder questions can be answered maybe better by others. Like Tracey said rescue is a good solution also.

I woudl get another Rattie in a second.  Just me personally, I will always go through Rescue. I have found these to be the sweetest, most loving dogs and it just feels good.

Biggest problem, make sure you have a yard or somewhere they can run and play. Let them get ALL their energy out, but then when they come inside what wonderful little lap dogs.

Welcome Rybekka!  No better place to learn about ratties than from rattie owners.  I thought I was a dachshund person for 30+ years.  But once I got a rattie, boy did I discover my breed!  Happy, affectionate, playful dogs all their lives!  I swore I'd never have multiple dogs again, but they say ratties are like Lay's potato chips, ya cah't have just one!  Well after two years, I succumbed and rescued a pup and two is definitely good for these little dogs. 

They entertain each other.  They play and snuggle together.  With one, you have to be willing to be their playmate & give the pup more of YOUR time.  Terriers will demand their attention.  But what playful, loving attention!  I'm loving every bit of it!   Will probably never own any other breed!  They steal your heats for sure!  What little loves! 

Only facts you need to be aware of with this breed, I think, is besides being shedders in many cases, this breed is cited in breed literature as being prone to Luxating Patella in their rear legs (slipping kneecap) that is degenerative over time and usually will require surgery in later life.  But it is correctable.  But if you do the research,  pretty near every breed has some genetic weaknesses, and many breeds have several!  So one "ain's so bad" IMHO   The breed is also cited as being prone to skin problems (allergies).  On the right food, my two girls have none of these problems (yet).

Yes I would get another one.  In fact I just did.  I have Mikey who is 5 yrs. old. (pictured) and then there's little Alice who is 5 mos. old.  Like everyone else says, they do shed some but since they have short hair it's not so bad.  They are very smart and easy to train.  I've had rat terriers since 1992 and have gotten the last two from a very reputable breeder.  Your life will absolutely be changed for the better if you add a rat to your household!

Hi Rybekka,

1. If I could. I have 5 personal dogs and 1 fosterdog. My county only allows 5 dogs before you have to get a kennel license. I sneak Mickey MooMoo by as "not mine" because he's a foster dog!! Here's his link: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9170110  

Welcome!!  And so excited you're considering a rattie!  To answer your questions...

1.  I would TOTALLY get another rattie.  But we've already got three dogs, and two of them are twice the size of our rattie.  Plus we rent and it's a small one bedroom house.  We just don't have room!  (And, technically, in our town, we're not supposed to have more than 2 dogs...we figure Sam doesn't count since she's old!)

2.  I don't notice too much shedding.  Yes, I have some little white hairs- mostly in my car and sometimes on my black pants.  But, then again, we have a shephard mix and a lab mix.  Both of them shed far more and longer hair.  Rowdy's is nothing in comparison.  I've got no experience with the hairless...

3.  All my dogs are shelter dogs.  I prefer to rescue my dogs. 

4.  I can't think of a serious problem.  I can't keep Rowdy out of the trash, but that's just his weakness....  Other than that, he's eager to please, loving and cuddly, and has huge personality.  We got him to be a companion to the shephard and, even though he's less than half her size, he's the perfect companion.  Playful and never afraid to take her on, he also enjoys cuddling with me and is nearly always by my side (when he's not busy wrestling with Schatzi).

I would get several more in a heart beat! But I live in an apartment and I am already 1 animal over my limit!

Jack gets along well with my 2 kitties (except for when they decide to beat up on them, but he does no more than defend himself & then run to me for protection)

He is a rescue dog, but I would also consider going through a local breeder if I wanted a puppy,

He is mostly white and seems to shed quite a bit, but no more than either of the cats...

I have had many dogs in my life, but now that I have lived with a rattie I can not imagine ever having anyother breed again! He is the most even tempered dog I have ever known, and loving to a fault (all he wants to do is be with me and love me)

Hi, I would definately get another and plan to in the future. He sheds a little, but that doesn't bother us, and we have found nothing in the negative about this breed. He's great with kids, and other pets. Like some of the other responses, I would recommend a rescue, there are so many out there with no homes etc. it is really sad. If it is ok to say so, I highly recommend Ratbone Rescues, where we adopted our Rattie They have many ratties waiting for their forever home.

I have always had large dogs (50 plus lbs.) Would never even consider a small one. One of those "real dog" issues I guess. Anyway, just after we lost one of our "big dogs" to cancer - Smokey came into our lives purely by chance (or was it???)

This little guy is the biggest dog we have ever had - all 17 pounds of him. He gives us 24 hours of love, affection and fun 7 days a week. We still adore our Bandit (75 lb. hound mix) and love him to death. He and Smokey are the best of buddies but, for us - it will be Ratties in the future.

We're hooked -

1.  I have a Rat and A Jack Russel. 

2.  They do shed but it is not a problem for us, we also have two cats that shed.  Some people have problems with shedding.  I think it is a person thing.

3.  I would go through a breeder if you want a puppy, ask lotsof questions and get refereences from them if you want an older pup why not think about rescuing one

4.  The biggest problem for me is they are addictive-- you seem to want more when you get one.  Alsothey are very smart and you have to continue to stay ahead of them