Last Updated on October 30, 2022 by Pets Feed
The Prague ratter (Pražský Krysařík) is the pride of the Czech Republic. His small size, pleasant character and boundless dedication make this dog an ideal companion and friend.
This small dog was in the past an unrivalled Czech rat hunter, in the present – a miniature pet with developed companion qualities.
| Breed name | Prague Ratter |
| Country of origin | Czech Republic |
| Weight | 1.5 – 3.5 kg |
| Height (at the withers) | 19-22 cm |
| Life expectancy | 14 years |
| Size | Small |
Prague Ratter photos
Breed standard
The Prague Ratter is very similar to Miniature Pinschers and Miniature Terriers. This similarity is explained by the fact that this dog, according to historical facts, is the ancestor of these breeds. A distinctive feature of the breed is its pear-shaped head.
The physique of the Prague ratter is harmonious, square, miniature. Adult weight is 1.5 – 3.5 kg, height is 19-22 cm.
Distinctive features
- Head: The head is compact, pear-shaped with a pronounced convexity of the forehead and occiput. The muzzle is elongated, of lean constitution. The transition from forehead to muzzle is quite prominent.
- Jaws: The jaws are symmetrical and strong. The teeth are strong and complete. Morusre “scissors”.
- Ears: The ears are erect, triangular in the shape of butterfly wings with a wide landing. There are ears with slightly hanging tips.
- Eyes: The eyes are round, medium in size, slightly protruding. The color of the iris is dark.
- Body: The body is almost square in shape, compact in size with strong bones. Neck with a graceful, refined curvature. The back is straight with a short loin and a slightly prominent withers. The chest is oval, rather wide. The croup is long with a slight slope. Belly picked up.
- Limbs: The legs are parallel, muscular, powerful, set well apart. The legs are oval, arched with tightly closed toes and small, strong claws. The dog moves with a free and elastic step.
- Coat: The hairline is short to medium in length. In short-haired dogs, the coat is hard, and the medium-long is softer and not very tight, forming beautiful feathers on the ears, tail and legs. The undercoat is poorly developed. The color is black and tan or brown and tan and rarely chocolate, marble and sand.
Character
Despite its small size, the Prague ratter has a lively mind and a balanced character. He is a faithful friend, a faithful companion.
He adores and strongly loves the owner, perceives loneliness with great negativity. For family members – an incendiary “antidepressant”, which creates a cozy atmosphere in the house.
Unlike many other small breeds, the Prague ratter never makes noise in vain. But if someone knocks on the door, it will instantly notify the owner of the arrival of guests with a loud bark.
With the children
He is affectionate towards children, but will never share his own toys with them. It is better not to leave such a small dog with small children. Children can inadvertently injure a fragile animal.
With other animals
He is friendly with cats, but behaves arrogantly around dogs. It is not recommended to keep the Prague Ratter in the same house with hamsters, chinchillas, squirrels and other small animals. The dog reacts to it like prey.
Health
Representatives of the Prague ratter breed most often have the following health problems:
- Musculoskeletal system – fractures, dislocations, bruises.
- Dental diseases – periodontitis, caries.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract – bloating, diarrhea.
- Obesity – occurs due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet.
- Otitis media is an inflammation of the skin of the external ear canal that occurs for a variety of reasons.
Life expectancy
On average, a Prague ratter can live 12 to 14 years
Basic care
Prague ratter care is not difficult:
- The hairs are combed 1-2 times a week and daily during moulting.
- The eyes are examined and cleaned every morning.
- The ears are cleaned 1-2 times.
- The claws are shortened once a month.
- Brush teeth 2-3 times a week.
- Bathe the dog only when he is very dirty.
Interesting facts
- The Prague ratter is the smallest breed in Europe.
- In Japan, the Prague ratter is a talisman totem for its owner.
- The Prague ratter is translated as “little Prague rat-catcher”.
- At a time when cats were absent in European countries, these dogs retained the royal property of the rats that were ubiquitous at that time.
- In 1377, Charles IV of Luxembourg presented three ratters from Prague to the King of France. Later, Charles V passed them on to his son, so precious were these pets for the monarch.
- In the Middle Ages, these dogs were the personal tasters of crowned heads and the local aristocracy. During the royal feast, each new dish served to the king was first tasted by a dog, thus ensuring that the sovereign was not poisoned.
The history of the breed
There is no information about the exact origin of the Prague ratter, but the breed has been known for several centuries. First bred in Bohemia, these dogs were prized by the Bohemian aristocracy. The Prague Ratter was often seen around the court and at feasts and given as state gifts from the Bohemian royal family to European rulers.
The Polish ruler Boleslaw II saw and brought in two dogs and handed them over to the court. The speed and small size of small dogs, as well as the natural skill in killing rats, made them popular not only at court, but over time among ordinary people. They have become a valuable asset to many. However, during the 19th century, another breed came into fashion – the miniature pinscher. This led to a drop in the popularity of the Prague rat and a decrease in their number. Only in the 1980s, and with the joint efforts of fans of the breed, was the Prague ratter revived and a breeding program started.
Today, there are about 6,000 Prague rats all over the world. Currently, the breed is not recognized by any of the largest kennel clubs, but competes at dog shows in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
