The Rat Terrier, an American breed, is often mixed up with the Jack Russell Terrier, an altogether different breed that nevertheless shares similar lines in its ancestry.
Sometimes referred to as a feist, or a type of dog bred and cross-bred from other hunting dogs, the Rat Terrier is a popular hunting companion and family dog, especially in rural areas. The name speaks for the dog's ability and great use in getting rid of vermin; however, this may have also be indicative of the breeds origin's in England, where it was bet upon in a ring filled with rats.
Rat Terriers come in two sizes, miniature and standard. The miniature is more popular as a house pet, while the bigger size more often accompanies hunters of above-ground prey. The Rat Terrier's sleekly muscled and streamlined build makes for a furious chase that ends with the prey being cornered and held for the hunter.