Rat Pinscher

6-10 lbs
9-13"
United States
Rat Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
American Rat Pinscher, Rat-A-Pin
The Rat Pinscher is a designer hybrid between the purebred American Rat Terrier and Miniature Pinscher.  The hybrid is small with a regal carriage and long, thin legs.  The Rat Pinscher is high spirited and alert with good sensibility.  They are moderate barkers and good with gentle children.  The Rat Pinscher is a well-known escape artist and needs a secured backyard.  Their vermin hunting genes also increase their prey-mind so they can become one-track minded when chasing after squirrels or other small animals.  The Rat Pinscher is a remarkably healthy dog and can live well past the age of 15 years if in a good home.
purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
American Rat Terrier and Miniature Pinscher

Rat Pinscher Health

Average Size
Male Rat Pinscher size stats
Height: 9-13 inches Weight: 6-10 lbs
Female Rat Pinscher size stats
Height: 9-13 inches Weight: 6-10 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
Minor Concerns
  • Cataracts
  • Atopic Dermatitis
  • Corneal Dystrophy
  • Dental Problems
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Epilepsy
Occasional Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Radiographs

Rat Pinscher Breed History

The Rat Pinscher is a hybrid between two Terrier type purebreds, the American Rat Terrier and the Miniature Pinscher.  The Rat Pinscher is a recent hybridization with no history or breed standards.  Its origins are unclear, but the Rat Pinscher was most likely first bred in the United States, as is most designer breeds.  Owners who wish to understand their Rat Pinscher's breed histories can review the origins and character traits of the parents to help understand and predict their hybrid's health and temperament. The American Rat Terrier is a small dog of the Terrier family, bred in the United States.  The Rat Terrier is a combination of several other Terrier and possibly Hound breeds whose original role was that of a small ratting dog.  The Rat Terrier was bred for its tenacious vermin hunting abilities as well as its small size and assisted farmers with rat problems in their barns.  The American Rat Terrier was also bred with regional Hound breeds, such as the Beagle in the U.S. South to increase its pack mentality and the Greyhound in the Midwest to increase its fleet abilities against the fast jackrabbits that plagued the fields.  The Rat Terrier was not bred for show but to assist with vermin hunting duties, so it was a late-comer to the American Kennel Club, having been recognized only in 2013.  However, the Rat Terrier has a relatively long history in the United States and was the dog of choice to help President Theodore Roosevelt with the White House rat problem during his presidency. The Miniature Pinscher is a German dog that is thought to be several centuries old.  However, detailed documentation on the breed is not available.  Standards for the Miniature Pinscher, which is often referred to as the Min Pin, were developed in the 19th Century and included both the black and tan and the red-coated variations for the breed.  The Min Pin has a striking resemblance to the Doberman Pinscher but in a considerably smaller package.  However, the Miniature Pinscher is an older breed than the Doberman, and the two are not closely related.  The Min Pin is a German Terrier whose name means miniature biter.  The breed remained popular in Germany early on but grew in worldwide popularity following World War I.  The Min Pin then made its way to the United States in the early 20th Century where it gained recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1929.   The AKC originally classified the Min Pin as a Terrier but later reclassified it in the Toy group.

Rat Pinscher Breed Appearance

The Rat Pinscher is a regal-looking dog with a short, shiny coat and long thin legs.  They carry themselves proudly with a light gait.  They have flat heads with large, oval-shaped brown eyes and a tapered muzzle with a black nose.  The nose can be brown in brown-coated Rat Pinschers.  The Rat Pinscher's ears are triangular and stand up but may also fold down, like that of the American Rat Terrier.  They have straight, long legs and compact feet.  The Rat Pinscher's tail is carried high and usually docked but if not, it is medium in length and sickle-shaped over the back with no brush.  The Rat Pinscher's coat can vary in color but will almost always be two-toned with light coloring on its face, chest, and legs.
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Rat Pinscher eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Rat Pinscher nose
Black
brown Rat Pinscher nose
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
black Rat Pinscher coat
Black
sable Rat Pinscher coat
Sable
brown Rat Pinscher coat
Brown
red Rat Pinscher coat
Red
white Rat Pinscher coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Rat Pinscher straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Rat Pinscher Breed Maintenance

Maintaining the Rat Pinscher's coat is easy because it is so short and sleek.  Dirt and debris do not adhere well to the hair and is easily removed with a bristle brush or a pet wipe.  The Rat Pinscher is not a hypoallergenic dog but is considered a moderate shedder.  Owners should only bathe their Rat Pinscher when necessary because this breed has sensitive skin and may develop atopic dermatitis as its natural oils are stripped from the skin.  The Rat Pinscher may have poor dentition from birth and requires weekly teeth brushing.  Three times a week is ideal, and owners can provide their Rat Pinscher's with hard rubberized toys to help with plaque and tartar build-up.

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Brushes for Rat Pinscher
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Rat Pinscher requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Rat Pinscher Temperament

The Rat Pinscher is a high-spirited breed that is also highly alert.  They make for great watchdogs and will let their owners know when a stranger is approaching.  However, they are also friendly toward new people and often curious.  Shyness or timidity is not known in this breed.  The Rat Pinscher is affectionate with its family and is excellent with gentle children.  The Rat Pinscher is not an ideal breed for toddlers and young children who may not understand how to interact with dogs.  The Rat Pinscher gets along with other dogs but has a big-dog mentality, which might get him hurt if he engages in rough play with other dogs.  With proper training and socialization, the Rat Pinscher can get along with both cats and dogs.

Rat Pinscher Activity Requirements

The Rat Pinscher is a high energy dog in a compact body.  They enjoy running and jumping and are known to escape backyards or run off when not leashed.  They require at least 45 minutes of high-intensity exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy.  If the Rat Pinscher is not properly stimulated, he can develop negative behaviors, such as digging or chewing.  They are an intelligent breed and train very easily as well.  The Rat Pinscher can adapt to apartment living he gets enough physical and mental stimulation but a small home with a fenced-in backyard is ideal for this hybrid.  The Rat Pinscher will also tolerate warmer climates but does not do well in colder climates.
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
45 minutes
activity minutes

Rat Pinscher Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
0.5 cups
Daily Cost
$0.70 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$20.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Rat Pinscher Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Rat Pinscher size stats at six months
Height: 10.0 inches Weight: 7.0 lbs
Female Rat Pinscher size stats at six months
Height: 10.0 inches Weight: 7.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Rat Pinscher size stats at 12 months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 8.0 lbs
Female Rat Pinscher size stats at 12 months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 8.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Rat Pinscher size stats at 18 months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 8.0 lbs
Female Rat Pinscher size stats at 18 months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 8.0 lbs

Rat Pinscher Owner Experiences

Ralph
14 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I couldn’t ask for a better dog! He was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease 5 years ago and was given 2 years to live...however he is still going strong. Has arthritis and is deaf now but still, he is my best friend. He’s slowing down and can’t do stairs anymore, but he’s extremely happy still and loves to play with his humans with wash-clothes.
4 years, 11 months ago
Piggy
8 Years
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Road trip
Walk
Play
Awesome dog, friendly and super cute! she’s only 8, but loves to sleep. we have a cat an a dog and 2 young kids she’s so good with them!
4 years, 4 months ago
Smokey
11 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Smokey is a service dog
Shes lovely. We adopted her in 2009 and trained her to b ane extremely versatile service dog. She cares for my father, a surviver of a near fatal car accident, me, who was born disabled with heart and nerve problems as well as autism, and for years, my granmmother, dying from stage 4 breast cancer. she monitors our sleep, reminds us to take our meds, encourages usto pla ywith her and get excersize, and is happy and friendly enough to go wherever we done, wrether to the store, the park, the doctor, or to a friend's house. She is a great alert dog and knows severallays t get oou aattention. She barks at stranges rwho are not introduced if they approach our home or our car. When out with us in public, she alerts to str
3 years, 11 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd