A sleek, athletic ratting terrier with a glossy black-and-tan coat and keen, spirited temperament. Long-lived and low-maintenance in grooming, but a true terrier in drive and alertness.
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Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Apartment or small home with daily walks
Apartment + 2× daily 30-min walks
A small dog adapts well to apartment living with two structured walks a day plus indoor enrichment. Crate-train for alone-time and give supervised free-roam of the household when settled.
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Recommended
Home with secure yard + daily routine
House + fenced yard + 45 min daily exercise
A house with a securely fenced yard, two structured walks per day, and indoor enrichment (chews, training, puzzle feeders). Most small breeds settle well as household pets when this baseline is met. High-drive working breed — the recommended tier still demands daily structured mental work (training, scent games, herding ball, fetch with rules), not just walks.
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Ideal
Household companion with varied enrichment
House + fenced yard + sport or hobby
Rat-hunting terrier — barn hunt and earthdog work suits the drive. — ideal is acreage or rural property paired with a daily job or canine sport: herding stock, scent detection, agility, protection sport, sledding, gundog field work, or a structured working role. Without that outlet, expect destructive behaviour, reactivity, and welfare-relevant frustration.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Adaptable and apartment-friendly given daily exercise. Needs 30-60 minutes of brisk walks plus play and mental stimulation. A securely fenced yard is appreciated, as their prey drive makes off-leash recall unreliable around small animals. Sensitive to cold due to a thin single coat; provide a sweater in winter.
Diet
Standard quality dog food portioned to the dog's small size and high energy. Prone to obesity if overfed and under-exercised; measure meals and limit treats. No breed-specific dietary disease, but maintaining lean body condition supports their long lifespan.
Behavior & temperament
Intelligent, observant, devoted, and lively. Highly trainable but independent and easily bored, so keep sessions varied and reward-based. Strong prey drive toward rodents and small pets. Good with respectful older children; can be reserved with strangers. Generally fine with other dogs when socialized; supervise around cats/small pets.
Health
Generally hardy. Watch for von Willebrand's disease (bleeding disorder), patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, and inherited cardiomyopathy/conduction issues in some lines. Juvenile cardiomyopathy and a hereditary glaucoma have been reported. Recommended screening: vWD DNA test, patella evaluation, cardiac exam, and eye exam.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Coat care is minimal: weekly wipe-down or rubber-mitt grooming controls light shedding; bathe occasionally. The thin coat offers little cold protection, so use a coat in winter. Channel terrier energy into earthdog, barn hunt, agility, or fetch. Start recall and impulse-control training early; reward focus to counter their independent streak.
