Rat Terrier vs Lhasapoo - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Rat Terrier vs Lhasapoo - Breed ComparisonBoth Lhasapoo and Rat Terrier are originated from United States. Lhasapoo may grow 8 cm / 3 inches shorter than Rat Terrier. Both Lhasapoo and Rat Terrier are having almost same weight. Lhasapoo may live 3 years less than Rat Terrier. Both Lhasapoo and Rat Terrier has almost same litter size. Lhasapoo requires Moderate Maintenance. But Rat Terrier requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Terrier dog
undefined
United States
United States
Height Male:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
20 - 36 cm
7 - 15 inches
Height Female:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
20 - 36 cm
7 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
3 - 4 kg
6 - 9 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
3 - 4 kg
6 - 9 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
15 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
5 - 7
Size:
Small
Small
Other Names:
Poo
Rattie, American Rat Terrier
Colors Available:
brown, cream, Apricot, white and black or bi-color , tan
Mix of colors - mostly tri-colored - white, tan, black
Coat:
Curly, wavy or straight
Single coat, short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

lhasapooSuch a cute, cuddly teddy bear of a dog is popular with everyone who just wants a wonderful canine companion.

Both the Lhasa Apso and the Poodle are ancient dog breeds and they are the two breeds that have been used to bring about the Lhasapoo. The Poo has been bred to essentially be an indoor dog.

It would appear as though the Lhasapoo was developed in the United States of America, as in 1933, a pair was given to an American traveler who developed a kennel.

rat terrierKnown also as the American Rat Terrier or even as the Rattie, this American dog breed is a farm dog, common on family farms during the 1920's and 1930's.

Miniatures or Standards, these dogs are also recognized by the American Kennel Clubs and thought of today as a multi-purpose companion dog.

He is an American dog breed, having come about from Fox Terriers, Old English White Terriers, Bull Terriers, Manchester Terriers and others. Whippets and Italian Greyhounds have also come into the mix to add speed as a characteristic.

The Rat Terrier started to decline in numbers, and by the 1950's the numbers of the dog were so low that breeders stepped in to restore numbers.

Description

lhasapoo puppy - descriptionThe Lhasapoo is a mix of Poodle and Lhasa Apso. He is a small dog standing between 25–28 cm in height and weighing 4 – 6kg.

Known as a designer breed, his small size allows him to adapt to life in the city or to the countryside. He is such a cute little dog with his alert face, his bright brown eyes, short legs and floppy ears.

His coat is thick and dense and can be curly or fairly straight. It comes in a number of solid colors – apricot, tan, cream, brown, white and black or he can be bi-color – any of these colors mixed with white. In fact, as a crossbreed he can inherit the looks of either dogs – the Poodle or Lhasa Poo. Because he has poodle in him, these dogs are sometimes spoken about as being hypoallergenic.

Temperament:

Small and gentle in nature, the Lhasapoo makes a splendid pet and companion for everyone. He is such an amicable small dog, getting on well with both children and other pets in the home.

You can’t really tell what kind of a dog he’ll turn out to be in terms of his character, because he can be quite aloof if the Lhasa side of him is stronger or he could be playful and friendly if the Poodle side of him is stronger.

rat terrier puppy - descriptionThere are different sized Rat Terriers, but the mid-sized one stands roughly between 20 and 36cm in height and weighs between 3 and 4kg.

The single coat is short and smooth and comes in colors such as tan, grey, chocolate, black and in solid colors too such as white. They are mostly in tri-colors - white, tan, black. Ticking is also seen.

With his short coat he is seen as a low maintenance dog even though he is still a shedder, with heavier seasonal shedding.

The ears can sometimes be erect, otherwise they are half-erect, half floppy. The tail has always been traditionally docked, giving him a nice, distinctive look, but today the tail is often just left un-docked. It isn't unusual for a puppy to be born with a short or long tail.

Temperament:

Intelligent, wary, loyal, loving, playful but stubborn, your Rat Terrier is a little bit wary around strangers. Training and socialization can be good for this dog and help him t be obedient and well mannered in all situations. These dogs also want to please. He is an active dog too and makes a great playmate for children, getting on well with kids and other pets in the home.

Characteristics

lhasapoo dog - characteristicsThe Lhasapoo is a crossbreed, so you never know what you’re actually going to get – a little bit of Lhasa or a little bit of Poodle.

One thing is for sure though – you’re going to get the cutest little pet ever. He is a friendly, affectionate dog, but the Lhasa side of him makes him wary of strangers, making him an excellent watchdog.

They have a moderate activity levels and will adapt easily to life in the city or in the countryside, but they will need a walk every day to ensure he doesn’t become unfit and obese.

Lhasapoo puppies are adorable but every cute puppy grows into an adult. Then it’s time to show you’re a responsible dog owner by continuing to love and care for your adult Lhasapoo so that he becomes the wonderful companion he is designed to be.

rat terrier dog - characteristicsThe Rat Terrier is such a clever, bright dog. These characteristics make him an excellent watchdog with strong jaws for his role of getting rid of rats on farms.

Even though he is a small dog, he isn’t particularly suited to life in the city on a small property as he has quite a shrill bark.

Because of him being small to medium in size, he is well suited to many homes, but you just have to watch out in the city if you live close to your neighbors as he is fairly noisy and active.

He would love a large property where he can just be himself. Provide him with the right home, and you’l have a friend for life.

Health Problems

lhasapoo puppies - health problemsAll dogs have the potential to become ill but when you give your dog the best chance to eat well and he is loved and cherished, he can live a long life.

The Lhasapoo can live to be 15 years of age if you treat him well and ensure that he has a healthy diet. Of course as a crossbreed, his chances of developing inherited diseases is limited.

Bloat or Gastric Torsion:

Watch out for Bloat, particularly if your pet gobbles up a large bowl of food. It is better to feed him 2 smaller meals a day. There are some time-releasing food bowls available for pets to encourage slower eating.

With Bloat, you’ll notice your pet’s stomach is swollen up. Complications set in when the stomach turns or twists as fluid and air can’t escape. Your dog will also be restless, drooling and trying to vomit. Bloat is a life-threatening illness.

Kidney Disease:

This can be a complication from disease or medications even. It is important to keep your pet’s teeth healthy as chronic kidney disease can be caused by dental disease too. Bacteria from the diseased teeth and gums enters bloodstream and damages vital organs like the kidneys.

rat terrier puppies - health problemsRat Terriers are generally feisty, healthy dogs who, with good care, can live to the ripe old age of 16, 17 or 18 years of age.

Just like with many other dogs, he can develop some of the more common dog illnesses there are. If you're opting for a puppy, find a good, reputable breeder.

Allergies:

It can be tricky trying to decide what kind of allergies are causing such problems with your pet. A skin allergy can cause a lot of itchiness and pain for your canine friend and he will bite and lick on the affected spots and make the situation worse. You will need to get him to the vet for some kind of treatment, as such an ailment can drive him mad.

Patellar Luxation:

This is a common problem in dogs, with the kneecap or patella being dislocated. It can cause a lot of pain and can be crippling for your dog.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

lhasapoo dogs - caringThe Lhasapoo is a dog breed that likes to spend time indoors. Because of his looks, his human family members will no doubt be vying for his attention and playing indoor games with him. It will do him good to get out for a walk every day as this gives him the chance to sniff around and smell different things and experience life outside his home.

Diet:

The Lhasapoo isn’t a big eater and he will require top quality food for small breeds. He isn’t a big meat eater so a tiny bit of cooked chicken, rice and vegetables chopped up nicely and added to his kibble from time to time will keep him healthy and happy.

Grooming:

Being the crossbreed that he is, you can’t be too sure about the type of coat your Lhasapoo will have. It can be curly, wavy or straight. Most inherit curls.

A Lhasapoo coat looks wonderful when it has been professionally groomed, and then in between grooming, his coat will need to be brushed to prevent tangling. While you’re brushing him, check his eyes too. Sometimes he can develop tear stains beneath the eyes and you can wipe gently around his eyes.

Other grooming for your cute little dog includes having his nails clipped as well as checking inside the ears for infection. Excess wax and dirt can result in an ear infection. You’ll notice your pet shaking his head, the insides of his ears might be red and he wants to scratch his ears. Get him to the vet who will show you how to keep his ears clean and dry.

Also, brush his teeth with special canine toothbrush and toothpaste. Dental disease won’t only damage his teeth, it can cause problems with other parts of the body too.

Diet:

rat terrier dogs - caringYour Rat Terrier can easily reach 16, 17 or 18 years of age with good food. While you do get some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods, you want to add variety by including some nutritious home-made food too.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet. Chop it up and add it into the dry kibble a couple of times a week.No complications - just plain and simple - the way dogs love it.

Some raw meat added in from time to time will help his skin and coat remain healthy. Never leave him without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

The Rat Terrier is an active dog. He just loves to dig too, so if you live close to a beach, he will love running and digging in the sand. If this isn’t possible, he will be happy to be taken on walks with you and maybe for a run in the park.

He loves all ball games and running after a frisbee, and he’s so clever, maybe you can even teach him to fetch the frisbee for you.

Grooming:

The Rat Terrier is a low-maintenance dog and only requires having his coat brushed twice a week.

Check inside his mouth for bad teeth. You can even brush his teeth with special canine toothpaste and brush to remove tartar buildup.

Keep his nails trimmed too if he doesn’t wear them down naturally so as to prevent them hooking on things and ripping into the flesh.

Check inside your dog’s ears too. If you’re not experienced with trimming dog nails or cleaning inside dog’s ears, your vet or professional groomer will do it for you.

During these grooming sessions with your Rat Terrier, check for fleas and ticks as well as for any sores or new lumps. Also, his eyes should be clear and bright with no discharge or redness.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Rat Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Rat Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Rat Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Rat Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Rat Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Rat Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Rat Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Rat Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Rat Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Rat Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Rat Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Rat Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Rat Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Rat Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Rat Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Rat Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Rat Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Rat Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Rat Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Rat Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Rat Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Rat Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Rat Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Rat Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Rat Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Lhasapoo vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Lhasapoo vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Lhasapoo vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Lhasapoo vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Lhasapoo vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Lhasapoo vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Lhasapoo vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Lhasapoo vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Lhasapoo vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Lhasapoo vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Lhasapoo vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Lhasapoo vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Lhasapoo vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Lhasapoo vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Lhasapoo vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Lhasapoo vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Lhasapoo vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Lhasapoo vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Lhasapoo vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Lhasapoo vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Lhasapoo vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Lhasapoo vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Lhasapoo vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Lhasapoo vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Lhasapoo vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison