Rattle Dog Basics
The Rattle Dog brings the smarts of the Poodle together with the stubborn streak of the Rat Terrier to produce a loving, affectionate and protective family dog that does well with kids and other animals alike.
The Rattle Dog is a cute combo of the clever Poodle and the stubborn Rat Terrier.
Origin
The Rattle Dog is likely to have originated 30 to 40 years ago when breeders first began crossing various breeds to develop dogs that were smaller, hypo-allergenic or simply gentler variations on some of the more popular breeds.
Pedigree
The Rattle Dog isn’t a purebred dog so can’t become a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC). His parent breeds are both members however; the American Rat Terrier just joined the club’s “terrier” group in 2013 while the Poodle became a member of the “non-sporting” group in 1887.
Food / Diet
The Rattle is a small but active dog who needs to be eating a top-quality food that will meet his age, size and activity needs. Opt for a nutrient rich product and because your pup may suffer from bloat as he grows, be sure to prevent over-eating by staggering his meals to 2 or 3 small feedings each day. This little pooch is known to become obese and with both parent breeds prone to joint issues later in life, the right diet and portion control are important.
The loving little Rattle Dog can become overly protective of his human pack.
Training
Your Rattle Dog is a smart little dog who will pick up commands quickly and be relatively easy to train. The terrier side of this pooch means he can be quick to become distracted and off to the chase, so obedience and socialization will be important early on. Keep his training routine firm, and consistent but also entertaining and interactive for best results. And always take a rewards-based approach, offering up lots of praise and treats for a job well done.
Weight
The Rattle dog is a medium sized dog that typically weighs between 30 and 40 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
This intelligent, loving little dog makes a wonderful family pet when properly socialized. He can be overly protective of his pack without proper training, so begin early. While he is a fun, playful little dog, he is highly cautious around strangers and this coupled with the fact that he loves to vocalize, makes him an ideal watchdog candidate. His curious nature means he loves to be kept busy and can become destructive if left on his own for too long, or becomes bored. Toys and puzzle games are a great idea for this pooch.
Common Health Problems
Designer Dogs are typically bred with the intent to sidestep many of the health issues that can plague their purebred parents however it’s always important to be aware of what your new pup could inherit. For the Rattle Dog, that could include Patellar Luxation, Bloat, Cushings and Hypothyroidism.
Life Expectancy
The Rattle dog has an exceptionally long-life expectancy of between 15 and 18 years.
Exercise Requirements
The Rattle is a busy little dog who loves to stay active. While excessively long walks aren’t necessary, mental stimulation, games and running around his back-yard or a dog park are an ideal addition to his regular walking routine. Because the terrier in him will always want to give chase, it’s important to keep him leashed if not in an enclosed area. Toys and games will keep him mentally stimulated and out of mischief while indoors.
The Rattle Dog is an intelligent, loving little dog that makes a wonderful family pet when properly socialized.
Recognized Clubs
The Rattle Dog is also known as the Radle Terrier, Roodle, Ratpoo and Ratdoodle. He’s recognized by the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Dog Registry of American, Inc. (DRA) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Coat
The Rattle Dog is considered a low- to non-shedding dog as a result of the Poodle in his lineage. In spite of this, he will require regular daily brushing to keep his short, coarse coat tangle-free and looking it’s best. Professional clipping will be required from time to time and because he is a floppy eared dog, they should be inspected and cleaned at the same time to avoid a buildup of debris and potential infection.
Puppies
Rattle puppies are smart little guys who can begin their socialization and obedience training while they are still very young. This can be a stubborn pooch, so teaching him basic commands will be essential to turning him into a great family pet. A propensity to become obese and potentially suffer from joint issues means you should get this pup into a feeding routine of 2 to 3 times daily and not allow him to overeat. Leash training should keep him mind that this dog also has the potential for joint issues later in life so don’t over-exert tiny leg.
Photo credit: LagunaticPhoto/Shutterstock.com; Phensri Ngamsommitr/Shutterstock.com; Brenda Carson/Shutterstock.com
