Are you in the market for a Dachshund Rat Terrier, also known as a Toy Rat Doxies mix?
If yes, you have come to the right place. We get rid of the fluff and focus only on the facts about this loveable, compact yet elusive dog breed.
What Are Designer Dogs?
The category originated in the United States in the late 20th century, where its support is still the strongest. However, the Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes are relatively new and were introduced to the market about 20 years ago.
Unlike mixed breeds, designer dogs are born from two purebred parents, and a dachshund rat terrier mix is considered the model designer dog. No two designer dogs are alike and might have different personalities, facial features, and coats altogether.
History Of Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes
As the name suggests, this breed is a mix of Dachshund and Rat Terrier, and to understand the history of this dog breed; we need to look at its lineage.
Dachshunds
Often referred to as “sausage dogs” because look at them! Dachshunds were bred centuries ago in Germany to hunt badgers, and their name literally translates to Badger Hunter. They are considered one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.
The small dog breed is identified through their long straight backs and short bowed legs. They are well-tempered with high energy levels and require little to no grooming, making them ideal as family pets.
Made for hunting, it is no surprise that many Dachshunds like to dig. In one survey, they were ranked high for destructiveness. Unfortunately, Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes tend to inherit this high-prey desire, so expect to enroll your puppy into puppy training immediately.
Rat Terriers
We have American politician Teddy Roosevelt to thank for the Toy Rat Terrier. The compact dog is categorized as an exterminator dog and fits into the small to medium dog category.
The happy-go-lucky breed is playful and active. Rat terriers are easygoing dogs that are content indoors but need sufficient exercise to keep them healthy. Most thrive with daily walks and a bit of tennis-ball-chasing.
Toy Doxies tend to inherit their solid prey drive, and both breeds should never be allowed off-lead.
Rat Terriers are exceptionally intelligent and can do virtually anything if given enough dog treats! This makes them excel at canine sports. However, some can be determined and occasionally stubborn. Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes often display these qualities at varying intensities.
Basic Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes Traits
Size
Both its parents are considered small dogs, so it’s no surprise that Toy Rat Doxy’s weights span anywhere from 6-35 pounds when fully grown. But since the breed is not officially recognized by the AKC ( American Kennel Club), expect the unexpected from your Toy Rat Doxie.
They can still take on a variety of appearances, depending on the breeder. At their largest, Toy Rat Doxies can be 35 pounds and up to 18 inches tall. This is an exception, though, and all are typically small when fully grown and could weigh as little as six pounds.
Personality
Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes are a contradiction. They can be independent yet loyal, energetic yet lazy. Unfortunately, being designer dogs, you cannot anticipate what you might get.
Toy Rat Doxies tend to be friendly, affectionate, and easygoing.
Training
We recommend that you stay clear of this breed if you are a new dog owner, mainly due to their unpredictable personality, which often leans towards stubbornness. In a nutshell, Toy Rat Doxies are hard to train.
While Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes have all the baseline traits to become obedient pets, owners should display patience and a firm hand when training their new puppy.
Price
Unfortunately, a designer dog is not for you if you are looking for a low-maintenance and inexpensive breed. Most cost $700, whereas many purebred dogs begin at $250.
Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes are hard to find, with most puppies starting from $500 and going up to $1,500.
Life Expectancy
Created to enhance physical features, designer dogs experience the loss of quality of life and overall life expectancy. For example, a study found that, on average, a mixed-breed dog lives for 14.45 years compared to 14.14 years for a purebred dog.
Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes have a life span of 12 – 15 years.
While there is no hard evidence to suggest that either one lives longer,
Most vets believe that mutts are healthier and live longer than designer dogs.
What Are The Common Health Issues Toy Rat Doxies Face?
With regular Vet visits and a few lifestyle changes, your Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes should live a healthy and agile life. The primary health concerns stem from the breed’s elongated body shape, which limits its everyday movement.
Some common issues are:
Intervertebral disc disease
Due to their disproportionate long body combined with short legs, this back problem is common in Dachshunds and Dachshund mixes.
What Happens? The discs that separate the spinal bones in your dog’s back begin exerting pressure on the spinal nerve. This results in severe discomfort for the dog and results in mobility issues. If not properly treated, it can lead to paralysis.
Warning Signs? One of the first signs is a reluctance to use hind legs; if you notice your Toy Rat Doxie doing this, it is time to take them to the vet immediately.
Patellar Luxation(Knee dislocation)
This one is easy to spot since your dog cannot use the leg with this issue. While visually jarring, Patellar Luxation in Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes is not life-threatening or painful.
Bloating
This isn’t exclusive to Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes, but this breed has a natural predisposition for bloating and experiencing gut health issues.
What Happens? Dogs experience bloating when they eat too fast or too much. Sometimes, low-quality food can also induce your four-legged friend to bloat. Whatever the cause, in essence, your puppy’s stomach fills with gas and can even twist on itself and cause further pain.
Warning Signs? We might think of bloating as a harmless side-effect of overeating, but for Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes, it is a dangerous condition that needs to be dealt with quickly.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
An issue that starts when your dog is a puppy and worsens with age.
What Happens? The root of this issue is the poor development of joints and bones. Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes joints do not fit together adequately and end up sliding against each other. The friction caused by this misalignment destroys natural bone matter and yields undue pain.
Warning Signs? All Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes do not do well with steps, but if you notice your dog limping and completely unwilling to use stairs, it’s time to take a closer look at their everyday nutrition.
Eye-related problems
Another issue Toy Rat Doxies inherit from their parent breeds. Dachshund and Rat Terriers tend to have eye-related issues, and your pet will likely do so too.
Toy Rat Doxies also experience dental health issues. They’re predisposed to early tooth loss, so proper dental hygiene is essential.
All Dachshund Rat Terrier Mix owners must regularly check their dog’s eyes for cloudiness and take them to regular checkups for early signs of eye-related problems.
4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Adopt A Dachshund Rat Terrier Mix
Prone To Separation Anxiety
Toy Rat Doxies are known for being cuddly and lovable, but this trait is a double-edged sword since this results in separation anxiety whenever left alone. So if you spend the majority of your day out working and can only spend a few active hours with your dog, this breed isn’t suitable for you.
Strong Prey Drive
Toy Rat Doxies’ parents strongly desire to hunt small animals; expect nothing less from your designer dog. So, naturally, they want to run after everything and anything smaller than them, from cats and rodents to other dogs.
Anyone who wants to keep this breed needs to have a firm grasp on dog training, and while you can never eliminate their natural prey drive with proper training, it can be managed. Again, Toy Rat Doxies are not for inexperienced dog owners.
Loud
Barking goes hand in hand with a strong prey drive; expect your Toy Rat Doxie to bark at every new person, animal and thing. Your dog will learn to control itself with proper training, but it will never stop completely. This is because barking is the favorite pastime of both of its parents.
Stairs
By now, you should be well-versed in Toy Rat Doxies and their back problems. So, it is no surprise that this breed can not deal with stairs or steps. The motion of regularly climbing stairs can cause misaligned joints and exasperate other bone issues.
So, if you live in a two-story home and expect your dog to climb the stairs independently and regularly, this breed is not for you.
4 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Dachshund Rat Terrier Mix
Easy To Groom
If you do not have hours to dedicate to your puppies’ grooming routine, let alone your own, then the Dachshund Rat Terrier Mix is your ideal dog.
Even those with long wavy hair rarely get tangled, and all you need to do is keep their coat clean. A weekly brush is enough grooming; some don’t even require that!
Apartment Friendly
Experienced dog owners know this already, but dogs need more than love and care to blossom. They also need space except for a Dachshund Rat Terrier Mix.
This breed is content living in apartments and does not get anxious in small spaces. This makes them perfect for city dwellers. Of course, they need their daily walks and time in the park, but it isn’t a deal breaker if you don’t have yard space for them.
Affectionate
Picture this, you come home after lunch with your friends, and you have a small packet of excited fur throw themselves at you for cuddles and love. This is what you will get if you adopt a Dachshund Rat Terrier.
They are one of the most loyal and loving dog breeds, and their small size makes them perfect for cuddling, either on the couch or in bed.
Unique
Despite having an extensive list of positive traits, this breed is still relatively unknown, and we consider this a win! Expect your friends, family, and strangers to ooh and ahh over this ” new” designer dog breed wherever you go.
This can also be a negative since you won’t find a Dachshund Rat Terrier Mix for sale quickly, especially if you live in a small town. But once you get your hands on a puppy, you will never regret it.
FAQs
Are Dachshund Rat Terrier Mix Dogs Good With Other Dogs?
Since this breed is known to be social, they get along well with other dogs, especially if they are larger in size. But remember that this breed has a solid prey drive from two sets of hunting parents and is unpredictable.
We recommend slowly socializing them with other dogs and keeping a watchful eye. Still, once your Toy Rat Doxie has an established relationship with another dog, it is improbable that it will ever attack.
Are Dachshund Rat Terrier Mix Dogs Good With Cats?
We are going to say it again and again. Both Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes’ parents have an intense prey drive; the chances of this breed fitting well in a house with cats are low to zero.
A Toy Rat Doxie will likely end up hurting cats, and its deep desire to hunt them is almost impossible to train or socialize.
Are Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes Dogs Good With Kids?
No. Dachshund Rat Terrier Mixes are stubborn and impulsive; you can not trust a puppy with young kids.
Final Thoughts
We have told you all there is to know about the spunky and mythical Dachshund Rat Terrier Mix; now it’s up to you to answer this question. The small and joyful designer dog breed is slowly becoming popular and is a high-energy dog requiring exercise, attention, and companionship.
Apart from that, all they need is the loving yet firm hand of an experienced dog owner to realize their potential fully.
This is what I have I thought I had a Jack Russell and the vet info says different
My mini dachsund/ rat terrier mix boy lived for 19 years. He was the sweetest little fellow. He had a great personality and had very good manners. He did like to chase cats, birds, and squirrels in his younger days. His bark was loud and commanding, he could put a fright into a dog 3 times his size. He was very lovable and really enjoyed snuggling. His food was important to him, but he didn’t try to take it away from other dogs around him. His understanding of words was amazing. Before he got really old he could go potty on command. He was still continent before he passed away. He had hip dysplasia, glaucoma, and disc problems at the end of his life. He was a perfect dog and very loved.