Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Rat terrier

Anyone have experience with them? I'm considering one that came from a rescue place. He won't need to be a vermin killer here, just a pet.

They're uncommon around here so if you have any advice about them I'd be glad to hear it.

Usually very people friendly. Make sure it is. Very loyal. Had 'em for years. Anymore questions just pm me. I really like 'em.

Our puppy appears to be a pit/terrier mix. I believe she is likely a rat terrier mix.

Very friendly and eager to please. Very much tuned into emotions, my niece was crying and the dog immediately went to her side and checked on her and seemed very attached. Same when someone is on TV and in distress.

Everyone had them when I was a kid, at least one per farm. They were, besides hounds, the most common breed around. Dunno what happened to the breed, but 50 years ago, they were around.

Very long lived dogs. Ours lasted 16 years. She had super hearing and always knew when someone walked by the house.

Had a female we put down about 7 years ago. She made it to almost 18. Really good natured dog. Insanely
Good nose. They have a kill move/head snap thing bred in. It’s awesome. One head snap and a squirrel will fly at least 12 feet in the air over head, ass over tea kettle, back snapped and limp. They lose teeth early on, eventually go deaf and blind, the nose works to the end and they tend to stay mobile and pain free in the hips and joints. Roosevelt Rat Terriers - good damn dogs.

My favorite breed of dogs , they’re tuff little dudes and gritty , very loyal and the ones I’ve had were one person dog , great companions and squirrel getters . My last one was a mid size tri colored female , got run over in front of the house .

Given the opportunity it’s hard to imagine any Rat Terrier not killing vermin.

Thanks for the comments!

It is a bit puzzling that they aren't more popular. Most everything I read on the internet about them is positive.

Hopefully I can get him this week.

If he puts some fear into the squirrels and rabbits around here that would be perfect!

I currently have one . He’s 15 yrs. old . He’s a very smart and a well behaved dog . As said previously most people use them to squirrel hunt but Ben is a house dog .

They are, as a breed, a nervous, high strung little dog that is scary smart and loyal to one person. They usually live a long damn time. Tiny and don’t eat much. If that’s what you are after, you’ll be pleased. If you want a family let, get a Labrador Retriever.

Man, another one might just be on my short-list for next or last dog. They’re real good. Nuthin bad about them except saying goodbye.

Grew up squirrel hunting with them and I’m on my third one as an adult - last three are just pets.

I’ve always had the “standard” size. A little taller (12-15”) and longer legs. All have been great family dogs but will chase, and kill, squirrels, rats, cats and ant other small animal that they can catch. Good with other dogs and their cats.

I’ve only known of one bad one and he was meaner than heck….would fight other dogs and was aggressive with my kids. He didn’t last long.

I had one, great pet. If you have moles in the yard, the rat terrier will wipe them out. Also kills rats.

I have a 12 year old female.
Best Danmn dog I've ever had.
Loyal, loving, smart, very intense and alert.
Hell on rodents...
Great watch dog, barking wise...nothing enters the property without me knowing about it.
She sheds a bit, but not horribly.
I'm already missing the old gal...how I dread that day.

Rat terriers?
That's a 120v dog wired to 240v!
They are definitely hyper active.

Extremely intelligent and difficult to train.

To train a dog, you have to get their attention. The smaller terriers are so active, it's hard to get their attention.
They are loving and loyal.
Go for it!

The dairy farm I worked as a kid had one and it was one of the coolest dogs I have ever been around. It would flat fight and kill anything it didn't feel belonged around the farm. The owners didn't much give a schit about pets but everyone damn sure loved that little terrier.

If it has the drives a rat terrier is supposed to have, I'd not have it as a household pet. They really need to run and kill schit IMO. They are exceptionally loyal (if bred correctly) and do make a great lap dog if they're wore out by dinner time.

When they shed, they shed.

I'd never take a dog from the pound.

We had one for 16 years, adopted as a puppy from a shelter.
Maintenance free and a great pet. Rarely barked, mostly grunt and growl when strangers were around.

I loved my little Sparky. We had him for only 9 years, he developed cancer of the spleen and he passed away.

Rest in Peace Sparky, I love you. See you in heaven.



Sparky loved to run in the snow. I can't believe he was taken away from us, so young.

Grandmother had a little male black and tan rat terrier that was literal hell on rats and mice. That dog would actually purposely 'bait' mice. Give it a piece of biscuit and it wouldn't eat it but instead would place it on the floor near enough to a mouse hole for mice to see and smell it and then hide nearby and wait for a mouse to come out and then rush out and snatch it and kill it. Took on some pretty good size rats, too, some close to half as big as it was. Pretty good little dog all things considered but was a real, REAL bad leg humper. Never missed a chance to hump a leg, be woman, man or child. Killing mice, rats and humping legs was what it lived for.