Rat Terrier Growth Chart – Size & Weight Chart

Rat Terriers, often known as Ratters, possesses the classic terrier spirit and is a scrappy, sociable, and energetic dog.

Although typically tiny, Ratters may range in size from Toy to almost medium so our Rat Terrier growth chart can help you to track their growth.

Although their terrier temperaments might make them difficult to handle at times, Rat Terriers don’t need a lot of time or effort in terms of general upkeep.

If raised and cared for properly, a Rat Terrier may be a wonderful addition to the family. They are not only great at eradicating pests but also make for reliable guard dogs and devoted pets.

Our Rat Terrier weight chart will provide you with important information on the typical growth and development of these pups, as well as their predicted adult size. Please continue reading if this is something that interests you.

When Do Rat Terriers Stop Growing?

The main issue that you have to take into consideration is that they exist in three distinct sizes. Smaller ones will develop faster than bigger ones, but both will require about the same amount of time.

Usually, a regular Rat Terrier develops between the ages of 10 and 12 months, whereas a toy or mini Rat Terrier achieves full size between the ages of 8 and 12. The size of any given Rat Terrier will level out between the ages of 12 and 15 months.

When this point is passed, any further gains in weight are more likely to be attributed to fat than muscle, and hence need to be monitored and restricted. Too much food or the wrong kind of food might cause this.

Rat Terrier Growth Chart

Toy Rat Terriers

Adult Toy Rat Terriers typically weigh between 5 and 10 pounds and reach a maximum height of 10-12 inches, making them the smallest of the 3 varieties.

Miniature Rat Terriers

While larger than toy Rat Terriers, miniatures are still little when compared to regular Rat Terriers. You may even classify them as a toy dog. They may reach a maximum weight of around 12-20 pounds and a height of 13-15 inches at the withers.

Standard Rat Terriers

Then we get to the serious players. For the most part, at least. The most frequent kind of Rat Terrier is the standard variety.

They are a medium-sized dog breed, with an average size between 12 and 16 inches in height and a weight of around 14 to 25 pounds (but they may be bigger).

Estimate your dog’s weight by identifying what type of Rat Terrier category he falls into. Then you simply choose the appropriate developmental weight that matches it.

Rat Terrier Weight Chart

Rat Terrier Puppy Development Stages

Birth – 2 Weeks

Puppies are considered newborns throughout this neonatal period. Due to their infancy, the puppy’s eyes and ears are not yet open, therefore they are blind and deaf.

Their senses of scent and touch, however, are well-honed. As a newborn, the mother is solely responsible for the care of her dog.

3 Weeks – 12 Weeks

The puppy is now in its period of adjustment and first socializing. Before anything else, their senses of sight and hearing develop, enabling them to take in and process their surroundings.

They may then go to normal puppy food after the first teeth come in. When the puppy is 8 weeks old, it should be completely weaned and ready for its new home.

Housebreaking, socializing, and obedience training may all begin after the puppy has settled into its new home. Deworming and vaccinations must also be administered at this time.

4 Months – 9 Months

At this point, your dog has entered adolescence. They will become more defiant and obstinate, and they may even start marking their territory.

Because of their developmental stage, it is normal for them to exhibit certain behaviours. Likewise, they will make their dominance known in an effort to establish themselves as the pack’s top dog.

Keeping up with obedience and socializing training will reinforce your authority. Talk to your veterinarian about spaying or neutering the Rat Terrier now.

Exercise can help burn off some of the puppy’s boundless energy and provide healthy mental and physical stimulation.

10 Months – 18 Months

At this point, the Rat Terrier has grown to its full adult weight and size. When they arrive is dependent on their size.

Their breed characteristics of loyalty, respect, intelligence, and sociability are also on display at this age. With the guidance of your veterinarian, you should gradually switch the pup from a puppy diet to adult dog food.

Adult

When a Rat Terrier reaches full maturity in these areas, we consider him or her an adult.

Some dogs, however, may never reach mental adulthood and will always be full of life, alertness, feistiness, and funny antics. Because different dogs have different rates of mental development, this is the case.

Your dog requires your time and energy now that he’s an adult if you want him to have a long and healthy life.

This necessitates a diet rich in lean protein for muscle maintenance and immune-boosting nutrients. Encourage regular exercise to help them keep their weight under control and stay active.

How Big Do Rat Terriers Get?

If the size of your future Rat Terrier is something you’re interested in, then there are a number of methods you can use.  Check their ancestry, the size of their paws, or the results of a DNA test.

You may estimate your puppy’s final size using these strategies apart from our Rat Terrier growth chart.

You should first inquire about the fully grown size of your Rat Terrier’s parents from the breeder from whom you acquired the puppy.

This is due to the fact that pups inherit their parents’ appearance. You can roughly predict your puppy’s adult size based on the median size of its parents. Keep in mind that this breed comes in a variety of sizes.

Your puppy’s paw size may be yet another indicator of its eventual growth. They should be proportionate to the rest of your puppy’s legs and body, so if they seem abnormally enormous, it’s because your pup is still developing.

At last, a DNA test can tell you how large your dog will become if you don’t know its parents.

Male vs Female Rat Terrier Size Chart

The average Rat Terrier weighs 10–25 pounds and stands 10–18 inches at the shoulder. Size disparities between sexes of Rat Terriers are possible, nevertheless.

Male Rat Terriers, on average, may weigh up to 25 pounds and stand anywhere between 13 and 18 inches tall, making them noticeably bigger and heavier than their female counterparts. Also, compared to females, men tend to be larger and bulkier in build.

On the other hand, female Rat Terriers typically vary in size from 10 to 18 pounds and 10 to 15 inches. In general, they are little in stature and have finely sculpted features.

Remember that there is a wide range of sizes within the Rat Terrier breed, and that genetics, diet, and general health all play a role in the dog’s final size.

A healthy weight and normal development rate may be achieved by regular exercise and a nutritious, well-balanced diet.

The withers are the highest point on a dog, and they are used to determine the animal’s height. Make absolutely sure the dog is standing tall and square before laying the tape measure on the floor and lifting it directly to the withers.

Will Neutering/Spaying My Rat Terrier Affect His Growth?

Ideally, you would do these tasks while your Rat Terrier was between 4 and 9 months old. As a result, your dog’s growth plates won’t be able to shut completely.

Sterilizing your dog too soon might lead them to have abnormally long legs because they won’t get the hormones they need to shut their growth plates.

Before deciding on an exact date to neuter or spay a Rat Terrier, it’s best to get advice from your vet.

Neutering will assure your dog’s best behavior through reducing aggressive and territorial tendencies and spaying will lower the danger of uterine infections and breast cancer in addition to avoiding conception.

Jack Russell vs Rat Terrier Size

When fully grown, Rat Terriers range in size from 4 – 35 lb and 8 – 23 in. in height at the shoulder.

Whether they’re regular, tiny, or toy size determines the size difference. Puppies grow to the size of their parent breeds. However, this breed is considered to be of average size.

The size of Jack Russells may range greatly as well. The weight range is from 13 – 17 pounds, while the height range is from 10 – 15 inches.

Factors That Affect Rat Terrier Growth 

Genetics & Gender

Genetics determine Rat Terrier size and a Rat Terrier pup’s size is heavily influenced by their parents’ bloodlines and pedigrees.

Since they hunt, Rat Terriers were utilized on farms around the country to eradicate rodents and other pests. This gave the Rat Terrier its name, and their stealth and reflexes made them great predators.

Italian Greyhounds and Whippets were added to their bloodline later to make them speedier. Your pup’s pedigree may make them little or medium-sized.

Males outweigh females, especially in toy and tiny Rat Terriers, but these distinctions are subtle.  In regular ones, when men and females might vary by several inches and ten or twelve pounds, they are usually more obvious.

Nutrition

Rat Terriers need healthy dog food to grow. Age-appropriate dog food ensures proper nutrition.  Check your Rat Terrier’s weight to make sure it’s within the age-appropriate range. Always have safe drinking water for your dog.

However, it might be difficult to establish whether you’re feeding your puppy enough to maintain a healthy weight for its age and type. Seeing your puppy’s ribs may indicate underweight.

To get them back on track, gradually increase meal sizes. If you can’t see or feel your dog’s ribs, it’s overweight. To fix this, reduce meal sizes and increase activity.

Physical Activity & Health

Rat terriers need time outside to play games like chasing tennis balls. Exercise the dog inside to keep it on a leash.

They are fast and energetic, they need room and a time allotted in the day to run. Conduct exercise for about 40 minutes a day to deter your Rat Terrier away from being destructive due to boredom.

They require a lot of mental and physical activity to avoid aggression since they have a strong prey drive like other Terrier breeds. Exercise affects dog size and active dogs may stay the same weight but have long lean, and strong muscles.

How Much To Feed A Growing Rat Terrier Puppy?

Maturity, body weight, and activity determine Rat Terrier puppy feeding. Puppies need 3 to 4 tiny meals each day until 6 months old, when they may switch to 2 meals. Consult a vet to evaluate your puppy’s nutritional requirements.

Feed your pup 1/4 to 1/2 cups of high-quality dry dog food every meal. Check your puppy’s weight and modify the diet. In their first year, puppies grow quickly and need a high-protein, nutrient-rich diet.

Avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity and health issues. Puppies need fresh water too. These puppies have tiny stomachs and need to feed often to develop and play.

What To Do If My Rat Terrier Is Not The Right Weight?

Maintain a healthy weight for your Rat Terrier as they are prone to injury due to their frail anatomy (particularly their slender legs). They ought to be quite trim.

Adding even a single pound of excess weight to a Rat Terrier’s frame may wreak havoc on the dog’s limbs and joints, making it very vulnerable to injury.

This breed has a significant surgical risk because of its excessive weight. Overweight dogs are at increased risk of health problems and a shortened life span.

Muscle atrophy, skin problems, anemia, exhaustion, and mental fogginess are just some of the negative side effects of being underweight.

However, it’s better for a Rat Terrier to be somewhat underweight than slightly overweight. Therefore, it is essential that you keep a careful eye on your Rat Terrier’s weight to guarantee their optimal health, happiness, and quality of life.

How To Properly Weight My Rat Terrier?

To ensure your dog is developing normally, it is important to weigh him or her on a regular basis. Monitoring a Rat Terrier’s weight throughout the course of its life is a great way to ensure its well-being.

Your Rat Terrier’s weight may be calculated in one of two ways. The first method is the simplest, requiring just a single measurement of your dog’s weight on a standard bathroom scale.

In the event that your Rat Terrier is unable to stand on a scale by itself, you may always get on the unit while holding your pet, have your weight recorded, and then subtract your dog’s weight from the total.

Rat Terrier Genetics And Common Health Problems

A dog’s growth might be impeded by hereditary medical diseases and other health issues that emerge gradually over time.  Patellar luxation, among other health issues, is widespread.

Thus, if your Rat Terrier’s development is off, it may be a symptom of a more severe issue, so take him to the veterinarian.

Since Rat Terriers are little, you must limit weight gaining to keep them at a healthy size. You may achieve this by feeding and exercising the dog.

Final Words

Several things need to be taken into account before you can bring a Rat Terrier to your household.  By using this Rat Terrier weight chart, you can monitor your pet’s progress and make sure its development is on track.

If you invest the time, you’ll be compensated with a happy, social canine that will be loyal to you for years to come.  And there’s a rainbow of adorable hues to choose from!

If you’re thinking about getting a Rat Terrier, check out our growth chart to get an idea of how big they’ll become.