Rat Terrier Yorkshire Terrier Mix (Rat-Shire) – Hybrid Dog Breed Info

Have you ever heard about the Rat-Shire dog breed? Rat-Shire, also known as Rat-Kie, is the result of the Rat Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier mix. Let’s find out more about this fantastic hybrid Terrier dog breed.

Dogs that belong to the Terrier group vary in their looks and personalities, yet they share certain common traits too.

As explained by the American Kennel Club, Terriers, in general, are well known for their feisty and energetic personalities, and these dogs were bred primarily for hunting purposes.

Different versions of Terrier dogs have been developed over the years, and although they have inherited hunting genes, they have now become ideal family dogs.

Due to their unique looks and temperaments, different versions of Terrier dogs were crossed, resulting in hybrid Terrier dogs. Today we will talk about one such hybrid Terrier known as Rat-Shire.

Ratshire is the hybrid dog breed designed through Rat Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers. Rat-Shire is a small made dog yet packed with a lot of charisma. The parent breeds have varying physical characteristics, and all put together, Rat-Shire becomes a sweet-looking dog.

Personality-wise Rat-Shires are super energetic, active, affectionate, and intelligent. For anyone who would like to have a lively little dog, it is worth getting to know about the Rat Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier mix. 

You might be someone who has no experience in raising a dog, but we all start our dog parenting journey as amateurs. All you have to do is familiarize yourself with the basics regarding the breed that you would like to have.

If you understand the breed adequately, you can ace your job as a dog parent. Read this article to understand all the essential details that you should know about Rat-Shires.

Perhaps it could be the perfect dog that you’ve been looking for.

Fast Facts : Rat Terrier And Yorkshire Terrier mix (Rat-Shire / Rat-Kie)

Origin of Rat Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier mix

When was this mixed dog breed originated? There is no precise answer to this question because the exact roots of hybrid dogs are often unclear.

However, by studying the origin of their parent breeds, we can roughly understand the basis of this mixed breed.

Both Rat Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers have long and interesting histories associated with them. Rat Terriers were first bred around the 1920s in the United States.

They were initially developed as hunting dogs, mainly to hunt rats and tiny pests on farms which is why they are known as Rat Terriers.

On the other hand, Yorkshire Terriers were bred in the 1800s in the midst of the industrial revolution. These dogs have their earliest roots coming from Scottland, but they were developed in England and named after the county of York in Northern England.

Like Rat Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers were also bred to hunt small animals in coal mines. Rat-Shire’s date of origin cannot be precisely traced, but considering the current information, this breed was likely developed in the early 2000s.

The appearance of Rat Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier mix

The parent breeds of Rat-Shire have distinct looks; hence it is hard to predict the appearance of a Rat-Shire precisely.

They could equally get physical traits from both parents, if not more characteristics from one parent.

Generally speaking, Rat-Shire is a petite dog with an average weight of 10-15 pounds and a height of 8-10 inches. Rat Terriers are dogs with short lengthed coats, whereas Yorkshire Terriers have long coats.

This results in Rat-Shires getting coats of varying lengths and textures. However, Rat-Shires typically get long and luscious fur which gives them an iconic look.

Rat-Shires usually get black, gray, sable, red, brindle, and white color coats. Descending from a hunting background, Rat-Shires undoubtedly get fierce looks with sharp, alert eyes and pricked ears. 

How big do Rat Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier mix get?

Neither Rat Terriers nor Yorkshire Terriers are big dogs. Therefore their hybrid version also creates a small-sized dog.

Usually, a healthy, full-grown Rat-Shire could weigh 10 pounds and stand up to 8 inches tall.

These measures are not fixed; they may differ due to genes, gender, nutrients, and physical activities.

The temperament of Rat Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier mix

As mentioned, Rat-Shires are small dogs. However, do not be too quick to judge them by their size because these small dogs have big personalities.

Despite the small size, Rat-Shires have excellent energy levels. These dogs are active and playful and love spending time with humans.

Rat-Shires could be a little moody around small kids; they are not the biggest fans of toddlers as they find it hard to cope with their behavior.

Hence, it is vital to train Rat-Shires to socialize from the youngest age. These dogs are intelligent, so early socialization helps them act better.

Rat-Shires also inherit predator behavior but can be diminished through proper training. Overall this breed has willful and energetic personality traits also affectionate and caring personality traits. 

How long do Rat Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier mix dogs live?

You might already know that dogs age differently from humans. Despite the breed, typically, the average life span of a dog is 10-12 years. However, this can differ based on the breed.

Due to their genetic formation, small-sized dog breeds relatively live longer than gigantic ones.

Rat Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers both belong to the small dog category, and both dogs rather have long life spans, more significantly Rat Terriers.

Rat Terriers typically enjoy an average life span of 14-18 years, considered one of the highest life expectancies for a dog.

On the other hand, Yorkshire Terriers live around 13-16 years. Therefore, Rat-Shires usually live up until 12-16 years. 

How much do Rat Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier mix puppies cost?

There is no estimated price for this hybrid breed as the price may differ due to several reasons, primarily the bloodline of parents, the Breeder’s reputation, and the litter size.

By observing the average cost of parent dogs, we can roughly understand how much you would usually have to spend if you need a Rat-Shire.

Rat Terriers typically cost around 700-1500 US Dollars, whereas Yorkshire Terriers 1500-2500 US Dollars. But both breeds can be even more expensive if they descend from reputed bloodlines.

Considering the average price, you should likely spend around 1000 US Dollars for a Rat-Shire.

Remember that these aren’t exact prices; still, be mindful of getting the puppy from a trusted and certified breeder. 

Maintenance tips for Rat Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier mix

When you decide to raise a dog, there are several things that you need to pay attention to. Among them, maintenance gets the utmost importance.

The maintenance of a dog ensures their health and well-being. In this section, we will be focusing on some essential tips that every Rat-Shire owner must know. 

• Follow a grooming routine 

A consistent grooming routine is a must for your Rat-Shire. As discussed earlier, the coat length and texture of a Rat-Shire could vary from short to long.

In most cases, Rat-Shires get a somewhat longer coat. So they typically need daily brushing to maintain it.

You don’t have to bathe them often; a maximum of two monthly baths would be sufficient. Always use a mild dog shampoo instead of harsh soap products when washing them.

Also, brush them once the coat is dry enough. There’s also a tendency for rapid hair growth, so it is important to trim their hair as required.

Oral hygiene is also an essential part of a Rat-Shire’s grooming schedule. You can brush their teeth a couple of times weekly to minimize oral issues. 

• Give them good food and make them exercise 

Nutritional food and exercises are crucial for any pet dog. If you need your Rat-Shire to enjoy their life to the fullest, you must pay enough attention to their eating habits and physical activities.

If we commence with their meals, Rat-Shire is a small dog that doesn’t need vast quantities of food. Two cups of dog food would be enough for a day.

You can give this split into two meals. You can occasionally give them selected meats, veggies, and fruits to enhance the quality and variety of the meals.

Not only good food but physical activities are also mandatory to keep them healthy and fit. Rat-Shires have intense energy levels, so they need regular exercise to release the excess energy.

Since these dogs are small, you can engage them in outdoor and indoor activities. Either way, spending around an hour for regular exercise is recommended.

•  Be attentive to their general health

Dogs are prone to health issues that are unavoidable, but we can certainly reduce the risk factor by paying enough attention to their general health.

Rat-Shires are generally healthy dogs; still, they may inherit health complexities from both parent breeds.

Some of them are patellar luxation, retinal dysplasia, epilepsy, color dilution alopecia, dental disorders, and legg-calve-perthes disease.

Do not wait to take it to a vet when you notice sudden and frequent changes in your Rat-Shire’s behavior. The Sooner the actions you take, the better you can avoid unfavorable circumstances. 

Final thoughts about the Rat-Shire breed

This article talked about Rat-Shire, the hybrid dog breed designed through Rat Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers.

This Terrier cross breed is small from their size yet has big and bold personalities. Rat-Shires are fun-loving, active little canines and make perfect family dogs. Hope this article sparked your curiosity about Rat-Shires. 

Thank you for reading this post. Stay tuned with Jack Russell Owner for more interesting posts about your favorite dog breed.