How to Adopt a Rat Terrier in California

Rat terriers are some great dogs to adopt in California. Whether you’re looking for a new puppy to add to the family or you want an adventure companion for exploring the state’s various national parks, rat terriers are a good fit. Plus, who doesn’t love their big eyes, pointy ears, and alert-looking faces? While they may seem alert and serious all the time, you’ll find that they’re also goofy and love to go on walks or play.

Rat terriers are also easy dogs to train if you have the time to train them. When you pair that with the fact that they’re a healthy breed with minimal grooming needs, it’s no surprise that rat terriers are some of the most popular dogs in the country. Still, that doesn’t mean you can go out there and adopt one without being prepared. Before you adopt a rat terrier, it’s essential to learn more about the breed and what California’s unique adoption process looks like.

The good news is that we’re here to help. In this article, we take you through everything you need to know about rat terriers and how to adopt them in California. This includes what the adoption process looks like at shelters and rescues, what they’re like, and even how much this all costs. Read on to learn more about how to adopt a rat terrier in California.

What Are Rat Terriers Like?

Rat terriers are small dogs with muscular bodies, pointy ears, and big, alert-looking eyeballs. You’ll also find that they’re on the small side and come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from fully white coats to white coats with patches of black and brown. It’s also common for their faces to be a different color from the rest of their body.

When it comes to their behavior, rat terriers are intelligent, affectionate, and kind. Most rat terriers are also loyal and brave, so they make good watchdogs – not only do they look alert, but you’ll find they are very alert dogs. Rat terriers are also gentle with children, kind, and a bit standoffish towards strangers until they open up.

What Is a Rat Terrier’s Temperament? Rat terriers have a happy and excitable temperament. They love to play, run around, explore, and learn new things. Rat terriers are also kind and affectionate, so you’ll find that they have no problem cuddling up with you after a long day. That said, rat terriers are also smart and curious, so it’s a good idea to train and play with them often.

How Active Are Rat Terriers? Rat terriers are active dogs. You need to spend around 60 minutes daily playing with them, walking them, or even running with them. Failing to do so can result in behavioral problems and issues with your furniture (they might tear it up). Aside from playing with them and walking with them, rat terriers also need mental stimulation. It’s important to train them for around 15 to 30 minutes daily or provide them with puzzle toys that they can use and play with. Dog Training with Dog Academy

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What Size Are Rat Terriers?

Rat terriers aren’t big dogs, which makes it easy for them to fit into more California homes. You’ll find that male and female rat terriers reach a height of about 18 inches and an average weight of around 18 to 25 pounds. Due to their small size, it’s important to keep them active and watch their diet as they get older to prevent bloating and other health issues.

What Are a Rat Terrier’s Grooming Needs?

Rat terriers aren’t hard dogs to handle when it comes to grooming. Aim to brush them weekly to remove loose hair, but during the fall and spring months when shedding is more frequent, it’s a good idea to brush them daily, or else you may notice hair all over your home.

It’s also a good idea to trim their nails every four to six weeks, and they may need the occasional bath if they get dirty. Also, check their ears for signs of infection and brush their teeth a few times weekly, or give them treats that help with gum health.

What Are Common Rat Terrier Health Issues?

Rat terriers are healthy dogs, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to health issues. In fact, the leading cause of death for rat terriers is heart disease, which is something you’ll want to keep an eye on later in their lives. Patellar luxation is another potential health condition they may deal with, which happens when the kneecap slips out.

Rat terriers can also struggle with dental disease, so make sure you brush their teeth. Also, keep an eye out for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, which can lead to degeneration in their hip joint. Rat terriers can also have some skin allergies, bloating, and low blood sugar. Always take them to the vet if you notice symptoms like fatigue or any physical issues like patches of missing hair.

What Is a Rat Terrier’s Lifespan?

Rat terriers tend to live a long lifespan. In fact, you’ll find that they even outlive the average small dog, with a lifespan of 15 to 18 years.

Are Rat Terriers Good With Other Animals or Kids?

Rat terriers tend to be great with other animals and kids. That said, it helps to raise them alongside kids and other animals from a young age for the best results. Introducing them to your family later in life is fine as well, but this should be done slowly, and you should monitor the situation.

Overall, with a little socialization training, you’ll find that rat terriers make great additions to your family, regardless of whether or not you have little kids or other pets.

Are Rat Terriers Good for First-Time Dog Parents?

Rat terriers are great for any dog parents, even if it’s your first time! That said, you do need to be firm and consistent with them, or else they can become stubborn or a little too independent.

Also, make sure you have enough time to spend with them to ensure that they’re getting physical and mental stimulation. The good news is that as long as you spend time with them and help them use some of their energy, you shouldn’t have any issues with a rat terrier.

How Do You Adopt a Rat Terrier in California?

Adopting a rat terrier in California isn’t challenging. Once you find one in a shelter, rescue, or through a foster program, you can start the process. This begins with some basic adoption paperwork. You’ll need to provide information about yourself, your history with pets, information about current pets, and what your living situation is like. Essentially, you have to go through a mini background check process.

Most adoption shelters, rescues, and fosters will also want to check with references to ensure that you’re being truthful. In fact, people will usually pay you a visit as well to ensure that your home is the right fit for a rat terrier. If they notice things like a lack of fencing or an apartment that’s too small, they may not approve you for a rat terrier.

Once the initial part of the process is over, they will review the information they have and make a decision. If they approve you for adoption, you’ll pay the adoption fee and bring them home. From there, you may still have to take them for shots or to spay/neuter them if you adopt a young rat terrier puppy.

This process is about the same for most locations in California due to the laws that govern the adoption process. For example, adoption laws in California set the fee between $50 and $300, require a photo ID, and a minimum age.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Rat Terrier in California?

It doesn’t cost a lot to adopt a rat terrier in California. Expect to spend around $175 to $300 on rat terriers in the state. This is the fee you can expect to spend at most shelters, but some rescues may be a little more costly.

While this adoption fee is low, it’s important to purchase toys, food, and other items that will make your rat terrier healthy and comfortable. Therefore, expect to spend about $1,000 during the first few months with them.

How Should I Train a Rat Terrier?

Rat terriers aren’t hard dogs to train; it’s all about knowing where to start and understanding the fundamentals. The best place to start is with positive reinforcement. Before you consider trying to teach them commands or obedience, you’ll want to teach them that good behavior gets rewarded with treats, toys, or play sessions. On the other hand, you don’t want to be aggressive, loud, or physical with them if they do something wrong. This will only make training even harder.

Once you know the basics, you can start to train your rat terrier and teach them commands and obedience. We recommend starting with one of our online training courses. These are online sessions and courses that will give you the tools necessary to train your dog. Plenty of options are even available for more advanced training routines and programs, so don’t be afraid to dive in! For example, you can get started with a simple basic obedience program and then move on to more complex dog tricks.

Rat terriers are also great dogs to train because they can learn complex commands and do well with early socialization. This makes them great companions to take with you out in public or through one of California’s many state parks or hikes.

Find the Right Rat Terrier in California for You

Rat terriers make great canine companions regardless of how much space you have, which makes them perfect for apartments in LA but also for bigger suburban properties. What’s more, their trainability and easygoing temperament make them great additions to the family, even if you don’t have a ton of experience with dogs or any pets, for that matter.

Still, it’s important to understand what the process for adopting a rat terrier looks like in California. While the process isn’t hard once you know where to begin, finding one that’s available can be tricky. That’s where our adoption tools swoop in to save the day. Give them a try and find a rat terrier to adopt in California near you.