Mini Ratzer

8-23 lbs
11-17"
United States
Rat Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer

The Mini Ratzer is a combination of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Rat Terrier, which are both small dogs. This hybrid can range in size because the Rat Terrier comes in both miniature and standard sizes but they are usually about 11 to 15 inches tall and weigh about 20 pounds. They have a short, thick, wiry coat that can be just about any color mixed with white. The Mini Ratzer makes a great family pet because they love children and other animals. However, do not leave them alone with young children or small animals like hamsters or guinea pigs.

purpose Purpose
Companion, Hunting
history Date of Origin
1990s
ancestry Ancestry
Miniature Schnauzer and Rat Terrier

Mini Ratzer Health

Average Size
Male Mini Ratzer size stats
Height: 12-18 inches Weight: 10-25 lbs
Female Mini Ratzer size stats
Height: 11-17 inches Weight: 8-23 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Pulmonic Stenosis
  • Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
  • Portosystemic Shunt
  • Pancreatitis
Minor Concerns
  • Demodectic Mange
  • Cataracts
  • Color Dilution Alopecia
  • Schnauzer Comedo Syndrome
  • Bladder Stones and Infections
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
  • Dental Problems
  • Cushing’s Syndrome
Occasional Tests
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Dental Examination
  • Skin Evaluation
  • Ultrasound
  • Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
  • Blood And Urine Analysis

Mini Ratzer Breed History

Although the hybrid Mini Ratzer has not been around long, you can look at the histories of the parent breeds for an idea as to their history. The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was the smallest and most popular Schnauzer. They were discovered as an excellent rat hunter in the 1800s and were considered working dogs in Europe and other countries. However, in the United States, they are grouped with the Terriers, unlike their larger relatives, the Giant and Standard Schauzers. They were originally called Wirehaired Pinschers and just continued to stay in the Terrier group even after their name change. The Miniature Schnauzer is thought to have been bred from smaller Standard Schnauzers, Toy Poodles, and Affenpinschers. Their name, Schnauzer, means small beard, regarding the beard they have that covers their muzzle, making them look like an old man. In 1926, the Miniature Schnauzer was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club and is now the 17th most popular dog breed in America. The Rat Terrier is one of very few American breeds and they were developed as a small vermin hunter in the 1800s from a mix of the Beagle, Greyhound, Whippet, Fox Terrier, Manchester Terrier, English White Terrier, and Bull Terrier. The breed is well-known for its excellent scenting ability, speed, and friendly disposition. By the 1900s, the Rat Terrier was one of the most popular dog breeds found working on American farms. Theodore Roosevelt had a few Rat Terriers and brought them to the White House when he was president and his dogs were called “Teddy’s Terriers.” Strangely enough, they were not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club until 2013, where they are the 96th most popular breed of dog.

 

Mini Ratzer Breed Appearance

Unlike most dogs, the Mini Ratzer can have almost any color eyes including brown, hazel, green, gray, or blue. Their nose is usually black but may be brown in lighter colored dogs. Their coat may be just about any color too such as black, gray, brown, red, white, sable, brindle, cream, pied, or fawn. They can vary quite a bit in size, depending on whether the Rat Terrier is a standard or small size. These dogs have triangle shaped ears that perk up when listening, a slight beard, small head, and short legs. Their tail is usually medium length and curves up over the back. 

Eye Color Possibilities
blue Mini Ratzer eyes
Blue
hazel Mini Ratzer eyes
Hazel
brown Mini Ratzer eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Mini Ratzer nose
Black
brown Mini Ratzer nose
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
black Mini Ratzer coat
Black
gray Mini Ratzer coat
Gray
brown Mini Ratzer coat
Brown
red Mini Ratzer coat
Red
cream Mini Ratzer coat
Cream
fawn Mini Ratzer coat
Fawn
blue Mini Ratzer coat
Blue
white Mini Ratzer coat
White
pied Mini Ratzer coat
Pied
sable Mini Ratzer coat
Sable
brindle Mini Ratzer coat
Brindle
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Mini Ratzer wiry coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Mini Ratzer Breed Maintenance

Your Mini Ratzer will need to be brushed at least two or three times per week to prevent excess shedding and promote good circulation. Because of their wiry fur, your dog will need his coat stripped every six to eight weeks. You can do this with a stripping tool or by hand by pulling out the dead hairs individually to keep their coat healthy. Once a week, you will need to clean your Mini Ratzer’s ears and check them for mites, excess wax, and other debris. In addition, you should trim your dog’s toenails with nail clippers every six weeks or when you can hear them clicking on the floor. 

Brushes for Mini Ratzer
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Dematter
Dematter
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Mini Ratzer requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Mini Ratzer Temperament

The Mini Ratzer is a fun-loving and lively dog that enjoys being with people all the time. They are good watchdogs too and will protect their family from anything they see as a risk. While they do like kids and other pets, they should be watched closely with young children and they may chase small pets like rabbits and guinea pigs. This breed is easy to train and learns quickly so they are good first pets for someone who has not owned a dog before. They listen well and usually do not have any obedience problems unless they are not trained properly.

Mini Ratzer Activity Requirements

The Mini Ratzer has a lot of excess energy and will need approximately one hour to 90 minutes of exercise daily. If they do not get enough physical activity, they can start to become nervous, anxious, or bored. Once that happens, they may become aggressive or develop bad habits like barking too much or chewing on things. Your Mini Ratzer is an excellent hunting companion so if you enjoy hunting, that is a good activity for you both. Some of the other activities your Mini Ratzer may enjoy are playing with other dogs at the dog park, taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood, swimming, hiking, or playing fetch. 

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
7 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
90 minutes
activity minutes

Mini Ratzer Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.5 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.60 - $2.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$48.00 - $72.00
food bag monthly cost

Mini Ratzer Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Mini Ratzer size stats at six months
Height: 13.0 inches Weight: 10.0 lbs
Female Mini Ratzer size stats at six months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 8.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Mini Ratzer size stats at 12 months
Height: 14.0 inches Weight: 14.0 lbs
Female Mini Ratzer size stats at 12 months
Height: 13.0 inches Weight: 12.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Mini Ratzer size stats at 18 months
Height: 15.0 inches Weight: 17.5 lbs
Female Mini Ratzer size stats at 18 months
Height: 14.0 inches Weight: 15.5 lbs

Mini Ratzer Owner Experiences

RigaTony
1 Year
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Run
Play keep away
Fetch
Road trip
He is super high energy! Obtains huge heights in his jumps and is super smart- you can’t outwit him. We can go for the longest walk and he is ready to play again after a short rest. He loves his people, takes a minute to get all of barks out at new people but eventually likes them too. Easily distracted with a squeaky toy. Makes it his mission on walks to hunt all squirrels and birds. Does better off leash at daycare or a dog park but when on a leash he can be more reactive to other dogs.
1 year, 1 month ago
RigaTony
1 Year
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Run
Play keep away
Fetch
Road trip
He is super high energy! Obtains huge heights in his jumps and is super smart- you can’t outwit him. We can go for the longest walk and he is ready to play again after a short rest. He loves his people, takes a minute to get all of barks out at new people but eventually likes them too. Easily distracted with a squeaky toy. Makes it his mission on walks to hunt all squirrels and birds. Does better off leash at daycare or a dog park but when on a leash he can be more reactive to other dogs.
1 year, 1 month ago
RigaTony
1 Year
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Run
Play keep away
Fetch
Road trip
He is super high energy! Obtains huge heights in his jumps and is super smart- you can’t outwit him. We can go for the longest walk and he is ready to play again after a short rest. He loves his people, takes a minute to get all of barks out at new people but eventually likes them too. Easily distracted with a squeaky toy. Makes it his mission on walks to hunt all squirrels and birds. Does better off leash at daycare or a dog park but when on a leash he can be more reactive to other dogs.
1 year, 1 month ago
AXEL
8 Years
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
BEST LITTLE DOG GOOD WITH KIDS COULD CARE LESS ABOUT OTHER DOGS LITTLE FOOD SNATCHER
2 years ago
Daisy
2 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetching
Running
Hunting
Very smart dog, extremely loving. Mine is very bonded to me and doesn't want much to do with other people. Kids scare her but an amazing little dog
6 years, 7 months ago
Khloe
7 Years
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
run, walk, plays fetch
Walk
Run
Great family mogul. Great with kids but prefers older kids and is not solely one persons dog. Goes between hubby and I and will drop us in an instant when two of our older girls show up. Has a terrific memory. She is also an anxious dog. Misses us terribly when we leave but is not destructive. Talks a lot when wwe get home...tells us all her troubles. Very food motivated.
6 years, 7 months ago
Tilly
4 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walks, snuggles, tug of war
Great family pet. Ferociously protective. Great lap dog. Barks at the neighbors’ golf carts as they go by. Thinks she is as big as our German Shepherd.
6 years ago
Missy
16 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fantastic pet, i want another one
5 years, 3 months ago
Whiskey Jack
11 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
jog
Tug-of-war
Agility training
Whiskey is great, he is extremely energetic but also so affectionate. We also have a 1 yr old Bull Beagle and they are best friends. They spend all day playing and cuddling. I love my little guy.
4 years, 3 months ago
Kratos
8 Weeks
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
rambunctious during certain times of the day but also cuddly at other times ofthe day. He doesn't like to be alone.
4 years, 2 months ago
Diego
3 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Agility training
He is my quite active and loved cuddles
4 years, 1 month ago
Diego
3 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Very cuddly and loves to play!
4 years ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd