Mini Foxy Rat Terrier (American Rat Terrier & Mini Fox Terrier Mix): Info, Pictures & More

Breed Overview

The Mini Foxy Rat Terrier is a combination of the American Rat Terrier and the Mini Fox Terrier. They can also be called the Foxy Rat Terrier, although this can be confused with the Toy version of the breed or the Troxky Terrier.

Both of the Mini Foxy Rat Terrier’s parents are similar, so we can accurately assume the personality and physical traits of the dog. They are a newer designer breed, though, and have not had time to set themselves apart through common characteristics.

The Mini Foxy Rat Terrier is a good choice for first-time dog owners because they are small, loving, and easy to train. They get along with almost everything, but they can still be trained to be watchdogs since they are always alert.

Mini Foxy Rat Terrier Puppies

Mini Foxy Rat Terrier Characteristics

The Mini Foxy Rat Terrier is one of the more affordable puppies to buy from a breeder. Finding a breeder can be challenging at times. It is essential to ensure that you find a reputable breeder wherever you decide to get your puppy.

The price of a Mini Foxy Rat Terrier largely depends on the pedigree of their parents. Neither is a costly dog, and a hybrid pup is always less expensive than a purebred. This little pup will make a wonderful companion with its loving nature.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Mini Foxy Rat Terrier

1. The Mini Foxy Rat Terrier still carries the brand of Teddy Roosevelt.

Teddy Roosevelt is said to have had a role in the naming of the American Rat Terrier, also called the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier. During his presidency, he and his family had a plethora of pets at the White House. One dog in particular was named Skip.

Skip was a Terrier who formed a special bond with Teddy Roosevelt. Many know that Roosevelt liked to hunt. Skip was pictured with him on a hunting trip as his little helper in 1905. Teddy Roosevelt supposedly brought in Rat Terriers, like Skip, to help get rid of the rat infestation around the White House and surrounding area. They were ingenious little hunters and quickly depleted the population.

Although it is unknown if he named the Rat Terriers himself, it is generally thought that the breed was named in honor of him and the way he put them to use. Since Mini Foxy Rat Terriers still retain the name, “Rat Terrier,” they always keep a bit of that history in their name and lineage.

2. The ancestors of the Mini Foxy Rat Terrier have a long and varied breeding history.

The breeding done to get to the American Rat Terrier wasn’t as straightforward as in other breeds. The process started in 1820 with the crossing of a Smooth Fox Terrier and a Manchester Terrier. The breeders then mixed the dogs with Smooth Fox Terriers again, as well as Beagles and Whippets.

They were trying to produce a dog with a small, agile body packed with endurance. The Beagle was to add hunting skills and other scent hound characteristics. Mini Fox Terriers have been traced back to Australia since the beginning of the 1800s. Their breeding started along the same lines as the American Rat Terrier, with a mix of the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Manchester Terrier. Both of these dogs were brought here by settlers moving to Australia from England.

Throughout the years following the initial breeding of these dogs, they were crossed with the Whippet, the Italian Greyhound, and English Toy Terriers. Notice the many overlaps in the two breeds’ lineage? This is why they turned out to be so similar and share many of the same behavioral traits.

3. Originally, there were few color options for these dogs and their parents.

When the two breeds were initially created with the Smooth Fox Terrier and Manchester Terriers, they only came in black and tan color combinations. It is only because of their later breeding that the Mini Foxy Rat Terrier can have so many different color combinations.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Mini Foxy Rat Terrier 🧠

The Mini Foxy Rat Terrier loves to please their family members. This trait is what makes them so easy to train. They are loving and eager, getting along with almost anything with which they happen to cross paths. Sometimes they can have high prey drives because they have scenthound blood in them. However, they are mixed with so many other things that this doesn’t tend to be prevalent and can be trained out if need be.

Even though the breed is agreeable, they still have a large personality. They are feisty little dogs that like to play and have fun. Although the requirements for daily exercise are fairly moderate, they love to have an active owner.

Since these little dogs are so alert, they can be trained to be excellent watchdogs. Their friendliness can make this a bit more difficult than it would be with similar breeds. If having a watchdog is your primary goal, other breeds should receive more consideration.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

These dogs are often well-behaved around children. If they are socialized to them early on, by living with them or having them around frequently, they do exceptionally well. It is still a good idea to supervise time spent between the dog and children to make sure that neither of them accidentally hurt the other.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

You shouldn’t have to worry about the behavior of the Mini Foxy Rat Terrier around other dogs and even cats. If they are socialized early on, they quickly learn how to be social and behave appropriately around other pets.

If you own small pets like hamsters or lizards, watch out for them. They have hunting tendencies bred into them, and these traits can flair with the added temptation.

Things to Know When Owning a Mini Foxy Rat Terrier

Food & Diet Requirements

The Mini Foxy Rat Terrier is a small breed and thus only needs about 1 cup of food each day. Feed them with high-quality food with plenty of protein to satisfy their daily needs.

They have high metabolisms, so don’t let them eat food with carbohydrates such as corn and soy. Brown rice is a good alternative.

• Try: Best Dog Food Low in Carbohydrates

Exercise 🐕

The Mini Foxy Rat Terrier only requires a moderate amount of exercise each day. Even though they have high metabolisms, their small stature keeps them from requiring too much daily activity.

If you walk them for approximately 5 miles during the week, their health needs should be met. The time equivalent is about an hour of consistent activity each day. This exercise can be broken up into multiple walks, running at the dog park, or playing in the yard.

Training 🦮

The Mini Foxy Rat Terrier is an intelligent breed with a certain amount of mischief bound up in their little bodies. They are quite loving. The combination of a desire to please, along with their intelligence, makes them easy to train.

The feisty attitude that accompanies intelligence isn’t a downside to training. Keep it fun and active, and the sessions can double as exercise time.

• Ideal for training: Best Treat Bags for Dogs 

Grooming ✂️

The coat of the Mini Foxy Rat Terrier depends on which one of their parents they favor. Either way, grooming is still straightforward. They do not shed much and only need to be brushed occasionally. Use a slicker brush and a comb to smooth out their fur and brush off any dirt.

Although their ears do not droop, they still need to be cared for. Clean them out once a week with a damp cloth to help prevent any ear infections. Brush their teeth daily, or at least two to three times a week, to prevent gum disease. Clip their nails once or twice a month, depending on their type of activity and the level.

Health Conditions ❤️

The Mini Foxy Rat Terrier is in general a healthy dog. Even though their parents are purebreds, they don’t have as long of a line of inbreeding to give them a tendency toward more diseases. Take your pup to the vet for their yearly check-up and more frequently as they get older.

Male vs Female

There are no recognized differences between males and females of this breed.

Conclusion

The Mini Foxy Rat Terrier has a love for life that is infectious. They love to be out and about with their family, actively participating in everything. No matter what kind of family you have, they happily fit right into it.

Since this Terrier is always alert and ready for action, they can make good watchdogs. They might struggle with a bit of small dog syndrome, but with training, it shouldn’t be an issue.

Training is easier with these pups than with many others. This trait makes them an excellent choice for a first-time owner or as a companion dog.

See Also:

• German & Australian Shepherd Mix: Info, Pictures, Facts, Traits

• Kerry Blue Terrier Dog Breed Info: Pictures, Traits & Facts

Featured Photo Credit: boyphare, Shutterstock