Rat-A-Pap

10-15 lbs
11-12"
United States
American Rat Terrier
Papillon
The Rat-A-Pap is a designer hybrid of the purebred American Rat Terrier and Papillon.  The hybrid is a small, alert dog with an intelligent expression and high energy.  The Rat-A-Pap is a charming dog with a keen intuition towards its owner's moods.  They are excellent family dogs and have high enough energy to play with the kids.  The American Canine Hybrid Club currently recognizes the Rat-A-Pap.  As a designer dog, the Rat-A-Pap is also recognized by the Designer Dog Kennel Club, and the International Designer Canine Registry.
purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
American Rat Terrier and Papillon

Rat-A-Pap Health

Average Size
Male Rat-A-Pap size stats
Height: 11-12 inches Weight: 10-15 lbs
Female Rat-A-Pap size stats
Height: 11-12 inches Weight: 10-15 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
Minor Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma
  • Von Willebrand's Disease
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Dental Problems
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • Portosystemic Shunts
Occasional Tests
  • Radiographs
  • Blood Analysis
  • Blood Sugar and Thyroid Tests
  • Complete Physical Examination

Rat-A-Pap Breed History

The Rat-A-Pap is a designer hybrid mix between the Rat Terrier and the Papillon.  Not much is currently known about the origins of the hybrid, and a detailed history of the intentional cross-breeding is not available.  Hybrid standards do not exist for this breed, and the Rat-A-Pap can vary significantly depending on which parent breed is most dominantly resembled.  As such, owners can review the respective histories of both parents for a better understanding as well as the history of bloodlines. The American Rat Terrier is, as its name implies, of the Terrier group.  The breed is an American dog those arose from several other well-established breeds including the Manchester Terrier, the American Fox Terrier, the Old English White Terrier, and the Bull Terrier.  The goal of the crossbreeding programs that resulted in the American Rat Terrier was to produce a small ratting dog with a smooth coat and a tenacious personality for vermin hunting.  The size needed to be small as well to fit into the hiding places of rats.  The Rat Terrier was also crossbred with other breeds, such as the Beagle in the U.S. South and the Greyhound and Whippet in the Midwest.  The Beagle was used to increase the Rat Terrier's pack mentality and the Greyhounds and Whippets to increase the fleet abilities against fast jackrabbits.  Variations within the Rat Terrier still exist today and are allowed by the American Kennel Club standards, which were established only in 2013. The Papillon is a far older breed, having been established in Europe by the 16th Century.  The breed is of the Spaniel family and was developed in France.  Originally, the Papillon's ears were dropped, but a butterfly-like preference prevailed.  The raised ear preference led to the naming of the Papillon, which is French for butterfly.  The dropped ear variation of the Papillon continues to exist but is rare.  Its name, Phalene, also refers to its ears, which is French for moth and refers to the wings of a moth at rest.  The Papillon, with its loving disposition, remained a court favorite in Europe and made its way to the United States in the late 19th Century where the American Kennel Club recognized it in 1915.    

Rat-A-Pap Breed Appearance

The Rat-A-Pap can vary in appearance depending on which parent breed it most resembles.  The coat, no matter how long the hair, will always be smooth and soft to the touch but the hair can range from short to medium-length.  Typically, the hair around the ears will be longer than the body.  The ears are also large and stand up with a little tip at the top.  The eyes are large, brown, and have an intelligent expression and the muzzle is long and tapered.  The Rat-A-Pap has a sturdy, compact body with a slight curl to its tail.  The coat color variations can range from dark to light, but the Rat-A-Pap will almost always have white hair.
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Rat-A-Pap eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Rat-A-Pap nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
white Rat-A-Pap coat
White
black Rat-A-Pap coat
Black
brown Rat-A-Pap coat
Brown
red Rat-A-Pap coat
Red
fawn Rat-A-Pap coat
Fawn
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Rat-A-Pap straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Rat-A-Pap Breed Maintenance

The Rat-A-Pap is not a hypoallergenic dog and is considered a moderate shedding dog.  However, short coated Rat-A-Paps will shed more.  Weekly brushing will help remove the dead and loose fur from the Rat-A-Pap and owners should also check their dog's ears while grooming.  The Rat-A-Pap may have longer hair around the ears that traps dirt and moisture, and if left unclean, may lead to ear infections.  The Rat-A-Pap's coat is smooth and easy to keep clean with weekly brushing, so baths are not necessary.  Over bathing the Rat-A-Pap may irritate their sensitive skin and cause atopic dermatitis.  The Rat-A-Pap may also develop dental issues over time, so teeth brushing is suggested at least three times a week.
Brushes for Rat-A-Pap
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Rat-A-Pap requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Rat-A-Pap Temperament

The Rat-A-Pap is a family oriented dog that loves being with its people.  They often follow their owners room-to-room and are eager to please.  Their eagerness and intelligence makes them easy to train, but the prey-minded Terrier bloodlines may be challenging for novice owners.  The Rat-A-Pap is a kid-friendly dog but is better suited for older children and those who know how to interact with a dog.  When it comes to strangers, the Rat-A-Pap is curious and friendly toward new people.  They will bark when necessary and will alert their owners, but otherwise, they are not considered watchdogs or overly shy with strangers.  The Rat-A-Pap has high energy and is considered easy to train.

Rat-A-Pap Activity Requirements

The Rat-A-Pap has high energy and love to run and jump.  They are capable of jumping high from a standing position without a running start and might jump a low fence to chase after an animal.  Therefore, owners should make sure their backyards are secured and always attend to their Rat-A-Pap while outside.  The Rat-A-Pap also needs plenty of mental stimulation to lead a healthy life.  A bored Rat-A-Pap may develop negative behaviors, such as chewing and digging.  The Rat-A-Pap's high energy requires daily exercise and preferably outdoors in a small backyard.  They are better suited for small homes with yards but can adapt to apartment living if they get enough daily exercise.  The Rat-A-Pap has a higher tolerance for cold climates than hotter ones but prefers temperate environments.
Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
10 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Rat-A-Pap Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.00 - $1.20
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Rat-A-Pap Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Rat-A-Pap size stats at six months
Height: 10.0 inches Weight: 10.5 lbs
Female Rat-A-Pap size stats at six months
Height: 10.0 inches Weight: 10.5 lbs
12 Months
Male Rat-A-Pap size stats at 12 months
Height: 11.5 inches Weight: 12.5 lbs
Female Rat-A-Pap size stats at 12 months
Height: 11.5 inches Weight: 12.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Rat-A-Pap size stats at 18 months
Height: 11.5 inches Weight: 12.5 lbs
Female Rat-A-Pap size stats at 18 months
Height: 11.5 inches Weight: 12.5 lbs

Rat-A-Pap Owner Experiences

Pippa
2 Years
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing Ball
swimming
Walking on the canal,
Visiting Family
snuggling
Car rides
Playing in the snow
Very High energy dog. She keeps me on my A game. Very loyal. Follows me around the house from room-to-room. She gets along well with other people and kids. Very eager to please. Very alert, needy, and loving. Loves to be in my lap. Loves my girl cat. Hates my boy cat who hisses at her. Very fun and rewarding experience. She was difficult to potty train. Still has the occasional accident in the house. But seeing as she was a shelter dog, I had to undo a lot of bad & lazy behavior.
3 years, 8 months ago
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