Prague Ratter – Complete Breed Guide for 2023

Energetic! Smart! Loving! All these traits make one of the smartest small-sized but less popular dogs; the Prague Ratter. The Prague Ratter is one of the smallest dog breeds in terms of height. While in terms of weight, the smallest breeds are Chihuahua or Bichon Frise.

The Prague Ratter has a close resemblance with the Chipin dog (Chihuahua and Pinscher mix) and is very adorable and smart. Being a breed native to Czechia (Czech Republic), this small-sized breed is very popular within the country.

Other than its origin country Czechia, it is also found in several European countries, as well as, the USA, Australia, and Canada. It is not much popular outside its origin country so you’d hardly see them in other countries.

By breed standard, the Prague Ratter is the smallest dog of the world.

If you are planning to get a Prague Ratter puppy and looking for a complete guide on the breed, this article is the best place for you to learn more about it. In this article, you’ll find everything about the Prague Ratter including health, temperament, grooming requirements, pros and cons, and cost.

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So, let’s find out more about the Prague Ratter, but first, check out this adorable pup, Guliver.

Credit: Ingrid Dutková

Introduction to Prague Ratter

Prague Ratter (also known as Pražský Krysařík) is a Toy dog breed that is not much popular outside the country of its origin- Czechia and is rarely found outside the country. Officially, it is the world’s smallest dog breed in terms of height. Although it is not a popular dog breed, its resemblance with a Min Pin Chihuahua dog has been noticed and appreciated.

Originally, the Prague Ratters were bred to hunt rats but with time, they have been domesticated and now make one of the best indoor dogs.

They are very quick, active, and strong dogs. Their sharp sense of smell makes them excellent rat hunters. If you need an all-purpose small-sized dog that becomes the best lap dog for you, get a Prague Ratter.

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Origin of the Prague Ratter

Prague Ratters originated somewhere in Bohemia (Now Czechia) but the exact place is still unknown. They were highly skilled in catching and killing rats so they were brought to the palace of the Polish King Boleslaw II the Generous (1058-1081). Along with that, this toy dog was also popular in the royal palaces of Central Europe.

Fun fact: Prague Ratters were the among the most favorite dogs of the Kings.

In the 19th century, the Prague Ratters went out of fashion with the increasing popularity of the Miniature Pinscher (almost a similar breed in terms of looks and size). Although there is no significant difference between them, still the Min Pin took the place of Prague Ratter. There were very few Prague Ratter dogs left but thanks to the Slovaks and Czechs, they started to breed them again in the 1980s.

As per an estimate, there are just 6000 Prague Ratters registered with the kennel clubs, and most of them are found in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. You can also find several breed clubs and breeders in the US, Canada, the UK, and other countries.

Appearance and Colors

• They are small in size. Their average height is 20 cm to 30 cm while their weight is no more than 3.5 KG.
• They have smooth coats with short and glossy hair.
• The Prague Ratters or Pražský Krysaříks come in several colors including black and tan, blue and tan, brown and tan, lilac and tan, merle and red, yellow, merle, and pink.
• They have pear-shaped heads while their ears are erect.
• They have athletic lean bodies.

Grooming Requirements

The Prague Ratters are average shedders and need just a little bit of grooming. Occasional brushing and rubbing of their short and smooth coat with a damp cloth helps them maintain their coat.

Also, remember that they cannot tolerate the cold weather and you are highly recommended to keep them covered with a sweater while going on a walk on colder days.

Temperament and Behaviour

They can easily chase small animals such as rats, cats, or a squirrel at lightning speed and catch them instantly. It’s highly recommended to avoid getting a Prague Ratter if you already have another small pet in your home or the Prague Ratter may try to chase and kill it. With its unbelievable energy, it is always ready to surprise you.

It is highly responsive, obedient, loving, and loyal but sometimes it may feel shy and uncomfortable around strangers. If you have planned to get a Prague Ratter, make sure to get it from a reputable breeder who socializes puppies at an early age to avoid any behavior issues in the future.

Training

They love training sessions. Like all the other dog breeds, they also like to get rewards and treats during their training sessions. You should not underestimate their small size as they are highly intelligent and keen to learn new tricks.

Early-age training is the best otherwise they may give you a tough time while training in adulthood. Avoid scolding them if they make any mistake during the training as they are a bit sensitive.

For their safety, you should initially teach them the basic commands, such as stop, come, sit, heel, and lie down, and then gradually move to the higher phases of training such as potty training, crate training, socialization, etc.

With patience and consistency in training, you can make them champion dogs.

Food and Diet

It is recommended to feed them high-quality dog food for small breeds which you can find in many pet stores or on Amazon. A good and balanced diet helps them maintain their good health, energy, and fur. Although dry food is preferred for them, you can feed them wet food occasionally.

Daily 1 to 2 cups of dry food twice is fair enough for them. Try not to over-feed them because a balanced diet directly impacts their teeth and bones.

Common Pros and Cons of a Prague Ratter Dog

Before getting a dog, it is really important to check for its pros and cons to avoid any future issues. So, let’s have a look at Prague Ratter’s pros and cons.

Pros:

• Fewer health issues – They are healthy dogs and have fewer health-related issues as compared to other breeds of their size.
• Easy to groom – The Prague Ratters or Pražský Krysařík need very little grooming because they are average shedders and their smooth and glossy coats can be maintained easily.
• Easy to train – They are highly obedient and intelligent; therefore, it is very easy to train them.
• Best Family Dog – They make the best companion for any family, especially the kids but may not be suitable for small pets.

Cons:

• Not safe with other pets – If you have small-sized pets, the Prague Ratters may be a risk to them because of their rat-hunting nature.
• Prone to Injuries – They may sustain bone injuries because of their small-sized bodies especially if you let them play with bigger dogs.

What are the Common Prague Ratter Health Problems?

Interestingly, they are among the healthiest dog breeds and have fewer health-related issues. Along with that, they may get other common diseases and viral infections that other dogs do get. But unlike other small breeds, their lifespan is just around 12 to 14 years.

So, let’s have a look.

Retained Milk Teeth

A retained milk tooth is one that is supposed to be erupted by the age of six weeks but doesn’t erupt and occupies the place of the permanent tooth. It can cause an abnormal eruption of the permanent tooth.

Due to this problem, the puppy’s bite pattern becomes abnormal. Many other small breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, and Poodles are prone to this disease and may not lose their baby teeth. Some of the common symptoms of Retained Milk Teeth are swollen and red gums, bad breath, and improper teeth positions.

If found any of the mentioned problems in your Prague Ratter dog, get them checked by your vet. The vet usually examines the puppy’s mouth and suggests some x-rays to diagnose the problem.

Patellar Luxation

The dislocation of the kneecap from its actual position is known as Patellar Luxation. It is usually caused due to some genetic malformation. Also known as Kneecap Dislocation, it is one of the common abnormalities of the knee joint in small-sized dog breeds such as Pekingese, Chihuahua, Maltese, Toy Poodle, Jack Russel Terrier, and Yorkshire Terrier.

The common symptoms of this painful disease are the abnormal movement of your dog’s hindlimb and sudden lameness. It is recommended to take your puppy to the vet ASAP if these symptoms are witnessed. The vet may take a fluid test from the affected joint and some x-rays to diagnose the problem.

Prague Ratter Puppy Price and Maintenance Cost

You may get a Prague Ratter puppy somewhere between $1000 and $2500 depending on different factors and the breeder’s reputation. It is recommended to get the puppy from a responsible breeder to eliminate the chances of genetic problems in your dog.

They are low-maintenance dogs and their grooming requirements are low. So, you should expect to spend between $500 to $750 a year on their food, regular vet visits, and other common supplies such as a crate, leash, collar, bowl, treats, and grooming tools.

Prague Ratter FAQs

And here are some frequently asked questions about the Prague Ratter dogs.

Do Prague Ratters bark more or less?

Yes, they are more likely to bark excessively if they are not trained not to bark at an early age. They should be given proper obedience training to keep them from unnecessary barking habits.

Do Prague Ratters shake in cold weather?

Yes, they are small-sized dogs with short coats that would not be enough to save them from extreme cold. So, as a result, they’ll shake or tremble. Make sure to cover them in a sweater or jacket when the weather is cold.

How big is a full-grown Prague Ratter?

A fully grown Prague Ratter may weigh between 3.3 pounds and 7.7 pounds while they may stand between 7.5 inches to 10 inches.

Top 10 Prague Ratter Names for 2023

These are the 10 best Prague Ratter names for the year 2023. We extracted these names from several forums.

• Brawl
• Phantom
• Cheech
• Gulliver
• Pinch
• Andie
• Smarty
• Small boy
• Diesel
• Zephyr
• Yoyo

Final Words

The Prague Ratter is an all-rounder dog that won’t leave your lap. It is obedient, responsive, friendly, and amazingly fast. With fewer cons and health-related issues, they may be an ideal choice for you as your next dog.

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Image credit: Tomáš Čepička,