The Rat Terrier is a small-to-medium, particolored dog breed that was originally bred to hunt rats and small game. There are two sizes available in the breed – miniature and standard.
Are you looking to add a Rat Terrier to your family? Want to know how much it costs? Then this guide is for you. Our team has analyzed several ads to bring you the latest Rat Terrier puppy price range and also its annual and lifetime ownership costs.
Rat Terrier Price – What To Expect
In the United States, a Rat Terrier puppy from a reputed dog breeder can cost, on average, $1260.
The first-year cost of raising this dog could come to $2360.
After that, the annual cost of caring for a Rat Terrier could come to $1080.38.
The lifetime cost of owning a Rat Terrier is nearly $16,745.
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How Much is a Rat Terrier Puppy in the USA?
We analyzed around 10 ads from different breeders and websites to bring you the latest Rat Terrier puppy prices:
- As mentioned before, the average cost of a Rat Terrier dog from a top breeder was $1260.
- We found its minimum cost to be $1200 while the maximum price was $1500.
- The cost of adopting a Rat Terrier is around $200. Some shelters charged between $300 and $500 but they also covered the dog’s vaccinations, deworming, and sometimes also spayed/neutered it before rehoming.
Initial Costs – Price of Basic Equipment for Your Rat Terrier
Once you’ve made up your mind to bring home a Rat Terrier puppy, you need to invest in some basic equipment. Most of these will be one-time costs although you may have to replace some items from time to time.
- Crate and bed – $100-$300. Choose a sturdy bed that your feisty terrier will not be able to chew. A crate will keep your Terrier safe during car rides and also help you in potty training it. Choose a crate that is of the right size for your terrier but also accommodates the growing puppy. A wire collapsible cage usually works well.
- Bowls – you need these for feeding your terrier puppy 4 meals a day. Select ceramic, food-grade plastic, or metal bowls that won’t skid and frighten your young pet. These cost around $20 to $35 for two bowls.
- Leash, collar, harness – $15-$35 depending on the material and size.
- Grooming kit – brush, shampoo, nail clipper, hair trimmer, etc. These cost around $50.
- Potty training tools – scoop or poop bags, cleaners, sprays, pee pads, etc. $30.
Most dog owners spend an average of $300 to $500 on basic equipment for their dogs in the first year.
Medical Costs for Rat Terrier
The next important costs to consider for a Rat Terrier are its medical costs. Your puppy will need several vaccinations to prevent canine diseases such as distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, etc.
Next, if your pet hasn’t been de-sexed, you need to get that sorted out as soon as your vet recommends the procedure. This is very important to prevent unwanted puppies as well as certain canine cancers.
You also need to provide your terrier with all-year-round flea/tick prevention and deworming.
Here is a table showing you the average medical costs dog parents incur:
| Vaccinations | $45-$100 a year |
| Spaying | $300-$500 |
| Neutering | Around $200 |
| Flea-tick prevention | $150- $200 per year |
| Deworming | $8-$55 per dose. |
| Dental cleaning | $100-$300 |
| X-rays | $125-$300 |
| Surgery | $1000-$4000 |
Rat Terriers are predisposed to developing health issues like Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, hip dysplasia, cardiac issues, and eye problems like lens luxation, deafness, etc. Good breeders test their breeding stock to prevent puppies from developing some of these genetic diseases.
Pet health insurance can cover some or all of these costs. You can expect to spend between $20-$50 a month on pet insurance premiums depending on the kind of coverage you opt for.
Dog Training Costs
All terriers need firm training and handling since they tend to have a very high prey drive. There are several options before you when it comes to dog training:
- Free training – Volunteer at a dog shelter so you can learn a few dog training tricks and implement them on your pet. You can also learn from some YouTube videos. There are several free online training videos – you just need to research them a bit. Alternatively, you can pick up some dog training books from the library.
- Private trainers – these can be expensive. They cost around $45 to $120 per session.
- Group classes at PetCo or PetSmart – they usually cost between $100 and $150 for 6-8 week classes. You could find some coupons online for both of these facilities to get some discounts.
- Board and train – this option can cost nearly $1000-$1250 per week.
Dog Food Costs for Rat Terriers
Adult Rat Terriers measure around 13-16 inches at the shoulders and weigh around 18 lb. For a dog of this size, you need at least 13.34 lb. of food each month. This quantity will vary based on the dog’s age, size, activity levels, etc. A pregnant or nursing bitch will need more food. Puppies also need at least 4 meals per day whereas an adult with normal activity will need 2 meals a day.
- By selecting low-cost or budget dog food, the monthly dog food costs came to $23.35 lb.
- For medium-range food, we might spend $40.
- Higher range or premium food which costs around $5 a pound comes to $66 a month.
If you opt to feed premium dog food, then the cost of dog food per year alone comes to $800. Dog treats can cost around $5 to $20 a month which can further increase your food budget.
Other Costs of Owning a Rat Terrier
Travel or Pet Boarding
Many Terrier owners prefer taking their small dogs with them on their journeys. Being compact dogs, they are fairly easy to travel with. However, air-fares can be costly – almost $125 for a short round trip. If the distance is higher, the fares will increase. You also need a special air carrier for taking your pet.
If you opt to board your buddy at a pet hostel, then the cost can come to $30-$45 a night.
Dog Walker
Rat Terriers need plenty of physical and mental stimulation to calm their overactive terrier minds. You could have a dog walker come over to walk your pet a couple of times a day. Most dog walkers charge $10-$30 for a short walk. This could bring your monthly cost to almost $600 if you opt for twice-a-day walks.
Grooming
Dog groomers charge $20-$40 for grooming small dogs like Rat terriers. The services include bath, brushing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, etc,
Microchipping & Pet License
Microchipping is a one-time expense of $25 to $45. License renewal needs to be done annually. The price is around $8 for de-sexed dogs in most states.
Key Takeaways – How Much Does a Rat Terrier Cost?
A Rat Terrier puppy from a good breeder could cost, on average, $1260. The first-year cost of raising this puppy can come to $2360 while the annual cost after the first year can come to $1080. Premium dog food alone could cost $800 a year. Medical costs for dogs usually come to $600 per year. This implies that the lifetime cost of owning a Rat Terrier could very well go over $16,745.
