History

The ancestors of the Rat Terrier originated in England in the 1820s, where they were known as feists. They are probably descendents  of the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Manchester Terrier.   Feists were fierce, agile and extremely smart dogs valued for their ability to rid a home or barn of rats and other vermin. Ratting was a popular sport among the common folk, as well as the more rakish men of the upper class. Bets were laid  as to which dogs would kill the most rats, and the best ratters were quite famous.  

When British immigrants came to the United States, their valuable feists came with them, and they quickly adapted to the harsher climate and difficult conditions in their new environment.  With fewer rats to hunt, they were used to hunt squirrels and other small game.  Larger RTs are still used to hunt squirrel, opossum, and wild boar. 

In the United States  feists were interbred with the Smooth Fox Terrier,  the  Italian Greyhound and the Beagle, producing a  more refined, gentler dog while still retaining their hunting instincts. 

President Teddy Roosevelt was the man who gave the breed its modern name.  When he moved into the White House after his election, he was disturbed to find the cellar and attic full of rats.  His childrens' pet feists soon rid the house of the unwanted rodents, and President Roosevelt referred to the dogs ever afterward as "Rat Terriers."

Personality

Rat Terriers are people dogs. They are alert, sensitive,  friendly and very social.  They love to be with their family, and participate in whatever is going on.  They're not  at all  "yappy" but they will bark to let you know when something is going on.  They're talkers, though.  They communicate with yodels and hums and growly sounds.  They bond with their owners, and are protective of "their" people, though they are happy to meet your friends and neighbors when properly introduced.  Kids and RTs are like peanut butter and jelly...natural partners.  

RTs can get along quite well with cats and other animals, particularly if they grow up with them.   A wise owner will remember that RTs were bred to be hunters, and that all dogs have an instinct to chase.  

RTs are almost too smart. They can figure out all sorts of things you don't want them to know....like how to open doors, get through gates and hide from you when you're looking for them.  They benefit immensely from obedience training, and do best in environments where they can be involved with their people, or at least other dogs, most of the time.  Like kids, boredom in RTs leads to mischief!  They are happiest when they're right in the thick of the action at home. 

Appearance

 Rat Terriers   are pedigreed dogs,  registerable through the United Kennel Club. Rat Terriers come in two general sizes, miniatures or "minis", not exceeding 13 inches measured at the shoulder, and standards, measuring more than 13 inches but not more than 18 inches. Weight is to be in proportion to height.   All RTs have short, sleek coats, and come in a variety of colors.  They usually have upright ears, but button or "tipped" ears are not uncommon (and very cute.)  They are beautiful, graceful, elegant dogs.