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Listings refresh regularly, so check back soon — new rescue dogs arrive all the time.
The Rat Terrier is a small-to-medium American working terrier bred as a farm ratter and all-round vermin hunter. It is a compact, athletic, smooth-coated dog with a keen, busy, intelligent character, high energy and a strong prey drive. Rat Terriers are affectionate and loyal with their family and typically alert and lively.
Rat Terriers are uncommon in Australia and appear only occasionally in rescue, usually as crosses. As an active terrier they need exercise, mental stimulation and training to channel the energy and prey drive. They are clever and trainable but can be stubborn and are inclined to dig and chase. Browse any Rat Terriers and crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
Common Rat Terrier health concerns
Breed-associated conditions worth asking any rescue about before you adopt. A good rescue will already know whether a dog has been assessed for these.
Luxating patellas
Kneecap dislocation; seen in the breed, often manageable without surgery.
Source: VCA →Editorial summary for adopters, not medical advice. Ask the rescue about a specific dog's health, and consult your vet for individual guidance.
Get notified when a Rat Terrier is listed
We will email you when a Rat Terrier or Rat Terrier cross becomes available for adoption in Sydney, from a rescue or an owner rehoming.
Need to rehome a Rat Terrier?
If you can no longer keep your Rat Terrier, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
List your dog for rehoming →Rat Terrier Adoption FAQ
Tap a question to expand.
How many Rat Terriers are available for adoption in Sydney?
As of October 2026 there are no Rat Terriers listed in Sydney rescue on LocalPetFinder. Rat Terriers are among the rarer dogs in Australian rescue, and availability turns over quickly, so setting an alert is the most reliable way to catch one when it arrives. Rat Terrier crosses are worth considering too.
Where can I adopt a Rat Terrier near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Rat Terriers available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Rat Terriers above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Rat Terrier rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Rat Terriers and Rat Terrier crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Rat Terriers available near you.
Where can I adopt a Rat Terrier puppy in Sydney?
Purebred Rat Terrier puppies are uncommon in Sydney rescue and are usually adopted very quickly, so the best strategy is to set an alert here and be ready to apply fast. Most Rat Terriers in rescue are young adults, older dogs, or Rat Terrier crosses, and these make just as loving a pet as a purebred puppy while often being calmer and already part house-trained. A rescue puppy or young dog costs a few hundred dollars fully desexed, vaccinated and microchipped, against several thousand from a breeder with a waitlist. If you searched "rat terrier puppies sydney" or "rat terrier puppies for sale", browse the Rat Terriers above and set an alert for new arrivals.
Are these Rat Terriers for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Rat Terrier here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "rat terrier for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Rat Terrier in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Rat Terrier costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Rat Terrier is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What is a Rat Terrier’s temperament like?
Rat Terriers are bright, energetic and affectionate, devoted to their family while being alert and sometimes wary of strangers. They have a strong prey drive and terrier determination, so they can chase small animals and like to dig. Early socialisation and reward-based training bring out the best in them. Ask the rescue how the individual dog is with children and other pets.
How much exercise does a Rat Terrier need?
More than the size suggests. A Rat Terrier wants a good daily walk plus play and training to burn energy and use its sharp mind. Under-exercised, they can become bored, noisy and mischievous. They enjoy games, trick training and activities that tap the hunting instinct. A securely fenced yard helps, as they can dig and chase.
What grooming and health care do they need?
The short, smooth coat is very low-maintenance, needing only occasional brushing, though it does shed. The breed is generally hardy and long-lived. A rescue Rat Terrier arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked, with any known issue noted on the listing. Keep year-round paralysis tick prevention if you walk in bushland or coastal areas.