Rat Terrier Looking At Camera

Adopting a rat terrier in Pennsylvania is a great choice, as these small, friendly dogs can adapt to both city living and larger homes. These pups are loyal and affectionate, though they do have quite a bit of energy and need routine exercise to stay both mentally and physically stimulated. In Pennsylvania, cold weather can be an issue for this smaller dog, and you might find yourself needing to bundle up your pup during the winter season.

When it comes to adding a rat terrier to your family, adoption can be the preferred option, as it allows you to save a pup in need and give a rat terrier a forever home where they can thrive. For the most part, you can utilize rat terrier rescues in Pennsylvania and other animal shelters to find the perfect dog for you.

Below, we give you more information on the rat terrier, as understanding this breed is a crucial first step to adopting one, in addition to giving you more details on how to adopt a rat terrier in Pennsylvania.

How Do You Adopt a Rat Terrier in Pennsylvania?

Adopting a rat terrier in Pennsylvania is a fairly straightforward process. To start, you will need to look at local shelters and breed-specific rescues that may have rat terriers available for adoption. These dogs aren’t uncommon to see in shelters, even though they are purebred dogs. Rat terriers are not one of the more exceedingly popular breeds, such as golden retrievers or other hybrid mixed dog.

Once you have located a place to adopt your rat terrier in Pennsylvania, we recommend contacting the staff to learn about specific adoption procedures. Most of the time, you will need to submit your adoption application, provide identification, and meet and greet with your chosen rat terrier. Some organizations may request a home visit or a meet and greet with other animals in your home.

After you have been officially approved for adoption in Pennsylvania, you can pay your rat terrier’s adoption fees and take your new dog to their forever home.

Other Dogs For Adoption

Rat Terrier In Front Of White Background

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

Rat terriers are not that expensive, as this breed is common and not one of the most popular breeds in the United States. You can expect to pay between $100 and $300 on average to adopt a rat terrier in Pennsylvania, though adult dogs and senior dogs may cost less or even be free to a loving home.

Depending on your rat terrier’s health issues and lifestyle, the upkeep of your dog will be between $250 and $1,000 a year, on average. This includes food, toys, vet visits, and other items to keep your dog happy.

How Should I Train a Rat Terrier?

Rat terriers are like all other dogs in that they benefit the most from positive, rewards-based training. You will need lots of patience as you train your rat terrier, as while these dogs do love to learn and benefit from things like agility training, they tend to learn on their own terms. Keep sessions short and consistent to ensure your rat terrier stays focused and gets the most out of training.

You can utilize our online dog training courses to get started training your rat terrier from the comfort of your home. We recommend two 15-minute sessions a day to start with as you get your rat terrier used to the process of training.

Dog Training with Dog Academy

Rat Terrier In The Summer

Find the Right Rat Terrier in Pennsylvania for You

Finding the right rat terrier in Pennsylvania to adopt doesn’t need to be a huge struggle or an overwhelming process. There are many shelters and breed-specific rescues in the state ready to help you find a rat terrier in need of a forever home. Make sure that you are prepared to give your dog the life they need to thrive. Also ensure that you understand the specifics of caring for this breed, and you will no doubt bring home the right dog for you in no time.