Rat Terrier Dachshund Mix (RatShund / RatDoxie) – Cross Breed Info

Have you ever heard about RatShunds? If you are a dog enthusiast, this name might ring a bell. RatShund is a hybrid, designed dog breed resulting from Rat Terrier and Dachshund mix. 

Hybrid dogs get unique looks and bring unique personalities due to the combination of two different dog breeds. Therefore it would be fair to say that there are many things to discover about crossbreed dogs. This article will be talking about one such crossbreed: RatShund.

RatShund, also known as RatDoxie, is a crossed version of two purebred dogs; Rat Terriers and Dachshunds. Both Rat Terriers and Dachshunds are popular dogs around the world, and their hybrid version was developed not very long ago.

Inheriting genes from two spectacular parent breeds, RatShunds are undoubtedly unique hybrid dogs. For anyone looking forward to having a loving, intelligent, friendly, and protective dog, it is worth getting to know about RatDoxies.

Whether purebred or hybrid, having a dog is a responsible duty to fulfill. And if you are planning to raise a crossbreed dog, it could be more challenging than raising a purebred one.

But there is no reason to panic. If you have a fair knowledge about the parent breeds, their temperament, maintenance, and related factors, you can nail raising a hybrid dog.

This article will help you understand the Rat Terrier and Dachshund mix in-depth. Without further ado, let’s get started!

Fast Facts – RatShund (Rat Terrier And Dachshund Mix)

Origin of Rat Terrier and Dachshund Mix

If you trace the origins of RatShunds, you will not be able to find when this crossbreed was developed precisely. But observing the current information, it is clear that this hybrid dog version has gained popularity in recent years.

However, if you trace their parents’ roots, you can find a fascinating history associated with the parent breeds. Even though RatDoxies gained popularity in recent years, both parent dogs were developed hundreds of years ago.

If we briefly look into the origins of the parent breeds, Rat Terriers were developed in the 1920s. These dogs were bred in the United Kingdom, and at the initial stages, Rat Terriers were identified as hunting dogs.

On the other hand, Dachshunds were generated in the 1500s, yet they became popular during the 1700s in Germany. Dachshunds were also predominantly developed for hunting purposes.

Although you can find plenty of information regarding the origins of parent breeds, there is a limited amount of information regarding their hybrid version.

Dog cross breeding began long ago to create dogs with bold personalities, unique looks, and more capabilities. You may not find why and when RatDoxies were precisely bred.

Still, their combination certainly created an exceptional designer dog. Over the past 10 to 20 years, they gained popularity among crossbreed dogs.

Another interesting fact to mention is that though their parent breeds originated in the United Kingdom and Germany, it is said that RatShunds were developed in the United States.

The appearance of Rat Terrier and Dachshund Mix

Both Rat Terriers and Dachshunds are exquisite-looking dogs. How about their designer version?

Like any other hybrid dog, RatShunds could also be a perfect blend of the parent breeds; if not could own more physical traits from one parent over the other.

You cannot pinpoint the appearance of these designer dogs, but typically they would look as below. 

Rat Terriers are small-made dogs, and so do Dachshunds, yet they have clear differences in appearance.

Usually, a RatDoxie may weigh around 6-35 pounds and stand tall up to 8-18 inches. Their coat is often short-lengthed; it has a straight or wiry texture, and sometimes they could also have a medium-length coat.

The coat may contain colors such as black, brown, white, ebony, and cream; typically, a combo of two to three colors mentioned earlier.

RatShunds get an adorable look through their large floppy ears; in some cases, they could have pricked ears. Their eyes are hazel, black, or blue, and their nose is usually black. 

How big do RatShunds (Rat Terrier and Dachshund Mix) get?

There are a couple of factors that affect the growth of a dog. Some of them are internal factors, while others are external ones.

Internal factors, including genes, play a critical role in a RatShund’s growth. If the parent dogs are coming from good bloodlines, a RatDoxie could grow up to 35 pounds in weight and 18 inches in height.

However, a healthy adult RatShund has an average weight of 10-25 pounds and a height of 8-12 inches. Remember, these measures are relative, so there are possibilities for slight differences.

Furthermore, feeding patterns and physical activities could also impact the size of a RatDoxie to a reasonable extent.

Average Lifespan of Dachshund And Rat Terrier Mix

We know that Both Dachshund and Rat Terrier breeds have a relatively longer lifespan than other small dog breeds. Rat Terrier has a significantly higher lifespan than Dachshund as well.

Therefore, the mix of Rat and Dachshund has an average lifespan of 12 – 15 years. Typically, they are healthy dogs, though they have some genetic health concerns.

The temperament of Rat Terrier and Dachshund Mix

Just because Rat Terriers and Dachshunds have small bodies doesn’t mean they have little personalities. Both Rat Terriers and Dachshunds are dogs with bold characters.

As already mentioned, both breeds were developed as hunting dogs, so they have fierce personalities. The combo of these two dogs creates loyal, active, caring, and protective dogs.

Even though the parent breeds were developed as hunting dogs, they are both considered affectionate dogs, and so do their hybrid version.

RatShunds love their owners and prefer spending time with the family. RatDoxies are obedient and intelligent dogs; they will learn to socialize with others pretty well if you train them properly.

Another personality trait that RatShunds inherit thanks to their parents is protectiveness. RatDoxies naturally become good watch dogs due to their genes.

They are attentive and sensitive, which makes them protective of their family. Overall, RatShunds are active and affectionate dogs to raise.

How much do RatShund puppies cost?

The Rat Terrier and Dachshund mix price could vary based on different factors. For instance, the bloodline of the parents and the breeder’s reputation.

If you want to buy a RatShund, you will probably have to spend around 500 to 1500 US dollars.

You won’t be able to find RatDoxies anywhere and everywhere, so their price seems to be relatively high compared to many other hybrid dogs.

However, it is always advisable to get your RatShund from a trusted breeder.

Tips for maintenance of a Rat Terrier and Dachshund Mix

As mentioned at the beginning, when you raise a dog, you cannot deny the responsibilities that come with it.

Maintenance is one of the critical things you should take care of when adopting a dog. Below are some essential tips regarding the maintenance of RatShunds.

• Stick to a grooming schedule 

RatShunds are generally low-maintenance dogs, but it is better to follow a grooming schedule to ensure your dog stays neat and clean. RatDoxies could have either short or medium length coats.

Depending on the coat length, you can brush them 2 to 3 times per week. You should not bathe your RatShund often; unlike humans, it is not very healthy to bathe dogs regularly. Washing them once or twice a month would be sufficient.

Other than that, you can brush their teeth a couple of times a week and trim their nails. Also, do not forget to clean their ears. RatShunds could quickly get ear infections if you don’t clean them.

• Provide healthy food 

RatShunds do not have complex dietary requirements, but always make sure that you feed them balanced meals.

You can provide dog food to your RatDoxie twice a day which will certainly help them meet their regular food requirements.

However, to add variety to their meals and make them more balanced, you can add selected vegetables and meats.

When preparing meals for your RatShund, avoid giving them grain-based food. It is okay to give them little snacks occasionally, but do not give them junk food.

• Give exercises 

Physical activities are a must to keep your RatShund healthy. These dogs are usually active, so you don’t have to put a lot of effort into making them exercise.

Providing them with 15-30 minutes of physical activities will aid them in staying in good shape.

You can do small playing activities or take the dog for a walk to provide their physical activity requirements. This is useful for their physical health and their mental health. 

Final thoughts about this Rat-Shund / RatDoxie dog breed

Having a dog means you are adding one more member to your family. There are many things that we consider when buying a dog.

Some prefer having calm and gentle ones, whereas others prefer energetic and playful ones. If you ever consider having a crossbreed dog, you will often get a pack of different personality traits.

When it comes to RatShunds, these little dogs are also packed with so much personality. As discussed, they are active, friendly, protective, loyal, and intelligent.

If you are a dog parent, it is your duty to be aware of your dog’s breed and raise them with love and proper care. If you are responsible and love dogs, you can undoubtedly have a RatDoxie.

I hope you got some valuable insights by reading this article! Stay tuned with Jack Russell Owner for more interesting posts about your favorite dog breed.