Crossing the adventurous, curious, and intelligent Rat Terrier with the playful and affectionate Whippet results in a delightful Whippet Rat Terrier Mix.
Also known as the Rat-Whip or Whippet Terrier, the Whippet Rat Terrier Mix is an agile, friendly, loving, and affectionate designer dog. As a crossbreed, he inherits his characteristics and traits from his parents: the Whippet and the Rat Terrier.
In this comprehensive guide to the Whippet Rat Terrier Mix, we’ll take a closer look at this hybrid dog’s features, characteristics, temperament, grooming requirements, exercises needs, lifespan, health concerns, and more.
So if you’re considering getting this mixed breed dog, read on to learn more so you can determine if he is the right pet for you and your family.
So let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Quick Facts About The Whippet Rat Terrier Mix
| Breed Type: | Mixed Breed/Crossbreed/Designer Dog/Hybrid (Whippet and Rat Terrier) |
| Size: | Small to Medium-Sized Dog |
| Other Names: | Rat-Whip, Whippet Terrier, Whippet Rattie Mix |
| Good Guard Dog: | No |
| Good Watch Dog: | Yes |
| Average Weight: | 10 to 30 pounds |
| Average Height: | 10 to 22 inches tall |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 16 years |
| Apartment Living: | Yes, provided their exercise needs are met |
| Ideal for: | Active families and individuals, Individuals without small pets, Anyone with the time to give them enough exercises daily, People in need of a watchdog |
| Coat: | Mostly short, but can be long, smooth or rough with some shedding |
| Coat colors: | Black, White, Cream, and Fawn with patches or markings |
| Suitable for first time owners: | Yes, provided they get enough exercise and are well trained |
| Training: | Moderately Easy (but make sure to start training immediately to prevent stubbornness) |
| Hypoallergenic: | No, not suitable for people with allergies |
| Shedding: | Low |
| Grooming Needs: | Brush them at least once per week. A bath every month or so will likely be enough |
| Energy Levels: | High |
| Exercise Needs: | At least 60 minutes of physical and mental exercise every day is required |
| Tolerance to being left alone: | When properly exercised, they can be fine staying alone for 5 to 8 hours |
| Feeding and Diet: | 1½ to 2 cups of high quality dog food divided into 2 or 3 meals. Of course, this amount varies depending on the dog’s age, size, and activity level |
| Maintenance: | Low |
| Possible Health Issues: | Cardiac Disease, Pancreatitis, Hypothyroidism, Arrhythmia, Patellar Luxation, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Allergies, Deafness, and Eye Problems |
| Temperament: | Active, Gentle, Loving, Loyal, Lovely, Friendly, Affectionate, Intelligent, Playful, Brave, Lively |
| Cat Friendly: | Your Whippet Rattie mix may get along with a cat they have grown up with, but you should always supervise them together |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes, but with early training and socialization |
| Kid Friendly: | Yes (Early Socialization Is Required) (They do need to be watched around smaller kids) |
| Barking Tendencies: | High, especially if they take after the Rat Terrier parent (Whippets do not bark much at all and are well known for being quiet dogs) |
| Prey Drive: | High |
| Price: | Average $700 – $1500 USD |
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Now let’s explore the Whippet Rat Terrier Mix in more detail.
What Is A Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Called?
A Whippet Rat Terrier Mix is called a Rat-Whip or Whippet Terrier. This mix is the result of crossbreeding a purebred Rat Terrier and a purebred Whippet. These two parent breeds are both charming and friendly dogs, but their temperaments are quite different.
Your Rat-Whip’s appearance and personality will depend on each parent dog’s unique appearance and character.
Depending on the dominant genes, your Rat-Whip may look or behave more like the Rat Terrier or the Whippet parent.
In general, Whippet Terriers are playful, intelligent, and friendly dogs if they are trained and socialized well.
Here are a few details about the history of the Rat Terrier and the Whippet to help you gain a better understanding of the Whippet Rat Terrier Mix.
The History of the Whippet Rat Terrier Mix
As with many other hybrid dog breeds, there’s little information available about the origins of the Whippet Rat Terrier Mix.
By exploring the origins of both parent breeds, however, we can understand the potential traits of this hybrid dog.
The Rat Terrier was originally bred in the United States in the 1900s for hunting purposes. Since then, they have become popular family pets in many parts of the world.
The Whippet belongs to the sighthound group and is a descendant of the Greyhound. A speedy dog with great hunting skills, the Whippet originated from England where the breed was commonly used for hunting small game like rabbits and rodents.
Also called the“Lightning Rag Dog” or “Poor Man’s Race Horse,” the Whippet is popular in racing sports, using its lean body and loyalty to win races for its owner.
The Whippet was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1888 and is now one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States.
What Does A Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Look Like?
The appearance of a Rat-Whip is difficult to predict because it is a mixed breed dog. Some Rat-Whips will look more like the Rat Terrier while others will resemble the Whippet more.
The Whippet Terrier is typically a small dog. But they are relatively larger than the average Rat Terrier since the Whippet has long, powerful legs. They have a strong body with a muscular build.
Whippet Terriers usually have long faces and long heads with semi-erect or erect ears.
How Big Does A Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Get?
The Whippet and Rat Terrier Mix will be a small to medium-sized dog. Whippets are medium in size while Rat Terriers are relatively smaller.
Therefore, you can expect your Rat Terrier Whippet Mix to be a small or medium-sized dog measuring 10 to 22 inches in height and weighing 10 to 30 pounds at maturity.
This means that a full grown Rat-Whip is relatively larger than an average Rat Terrier but smaller than the average Whippet.
Coat and Coat Colors
The Rat Terrier and Whippet cross comes in a wide range of coat colors based on the features of the parent breeds.
Their coat is mostly short, but it can also be long, smooth, or rough. In most cases, their coat colors include black, white, cream, and fawn with patches or markings on the coat, a feature they mostly inherited from the Whippet parent.
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Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Temperament & Personality Traits
The Whippet Rat Terrier Mix inherits all the amazing personality traits of both parents. Therefore, you can expect this hybrid dog to be a cheerful, lively, energetic, brave, intelligent, and playful dog that loves playing with adults and children alike.
However, the Whippet Rattie Mix can also be stubborn just like the Rat Terrier parent. Fortunately, you can manage this undesirable trait through early training and guidance.
They are also intelligent, loyal, and eager to please. This makes training easier for owners who are firm and consistent during training.
Rat-Whips are active and energetic dogs that require a lot of exercises each day to keep their high energy levels down. Although they are playful and friendly dogs, they tend to be wary of unfamiliar people, so early socialization is highly recommended.
Since both parent breeds have hunting backgrounds, the Rat Terrier and Whippet Mix requires a fenced-in yard and leash to help keep him under control.
They get along well with both children and other dogs, and don’t tolerate staying alone for extended periods of time.
Are Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes Protective?
Being loyal and brave, the Whippet Rat Terrier Mix can be a good watchdog with early training.
Is a Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Child-Friendly?
The Whippet Rat Terrier Mix is great with children, and enjoys playing with them. One important thing you need to do is to supervise smaller kids around these dogs to ensure they don’t end up hurting each other.
Are Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes Good with Other Dogs?
The Whippet Rat Terrier Mix should relate well with other dogs, especially if they have been brought up together from a young age.
Are Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes Good with Cats and Other Pets?
Since both the Whippet and the Rat Terrier parents have hunting histories, your Rat-Whip will most likely have a strong prey drive. Therefore, he may not relate well with other small pets such as cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
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Exercise Needs
As an active and playful dog, proper exercise and regular mental stimulation are a must. Rat Terrier Whippet Mixes are naturally active and hence, you will find it easy to engage them in daily exercises.
You can take them for walks around the neighborhood or play fetch with them to help meet their daily exercise needs.
Due to the Rat-Whip’s natural intelligence, interactive dog toys are an excellent way to exercise your dog and keep their mind busy and mentally stimulated.
Another thing you should remember is that the Whippet parent is particularly fast. Therefore, you should have a fenced-in yard where your dog can safely play and run around in.
Whippets are good at running and jumping, and your Rat-whip’s strong prey drive could manifest, making them run at high speeds at almost anything that moves.
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Training
Housetraining your Rat-Whip can be challenging, but commencing the process immediately you bring the puppy home can help make it easier for you and your pup.
Obedience training is also important if you want a friendly and well-mannered dog. Both Rat Terriers and Whippets are very smart, but tend to be stubborn.
Firm and consistent training with lots of positive reinforcements will help make training your Rat-Whip a smooth and fun experience for you and your pooch.
Keep in mind that obedience training and socialization will both help keep your Rat-Whip well behaved and happy at all times.
Do Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Shed a Lot?
In most cases, Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes have short coats and do not shed a lot. Therefore, these dogs are a great choice for anyone who wants an active and energetic dog that is very easy to groom and maintain.
Grooming
Despite their short coats, Rat-Whips require a consistent grooming routine. To maintain their coat health, you should brush the coat at least once per week.
These pups do not require frequent baths, so you should bathe them once a month. When bathing your dog, be sure to use a mild dog shampoo since their skin is quite sensitive. Otherwise, use the best deodorizing wipes for dogs to maintain their overall cleanliness.
It’s also highly recommended to brush their teeth and clean their ears regularly to prevent dental issues and ear infections.
You also need to trim their nails periodically to prevent discomfort while walking.
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Feeding and Diet
Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes require a protein-rich diet to help with their growth and development. They need 1½ to 2 cups of high quality dog food, divided into two meals each day.
To boost the quality of your dog’s food, we recommend adding probiotics and wild alaskan salmon oil to their diet. Both supplements are known to improve a dog’s coat and skin health.
Finally, make sure to give your Rat Terrier Whippet Mix plenty of fresh water to prevent dehydration especially if you’re giving them dry dog food.
Rat Terrier Whippet Mix Health Issues
Both Rat Terriers and Whippets are generally healthy dog breeds. However, they are still vulnerable to certain health problems that affect both parent breeds.
Generally, Ratties and Whippets are prone to Arrhythmia, patellar luxation, Von Willebrand’s disease, allergies, deafness, and eye problems.
Your Rat Terrier Whippet Mix is also vulnerable to these health conditions. Fortunately, many reputable breeders try to eliminate or minimize the risks of most of these health problems through careful breeding of dogs.
That’s why it’s important to buy your Whippet Rat Terrier Mix puppy from a reputable breeder and stay away from puppy mills or pet stores.
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How Long Do Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes Live?
Although the average lifespan of a dog is 10 to 12 years, some breeds live longer than that. For example, Rat Terriers have an average lifespan of 14 to 18 years. Whippets can live up to 15 years.
Thanks to both the parent breed’s longevity, the Rat Terrier Whippet Mix also has a long lifespan. As such, a healthy Rat-whip can enjoy a lifespan of about 12 to 16 years.
Finding Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Puppies for Sale
As always, we recommend searching for reputable Whippet Rat Terrier Mix breeders. Despite the fact that the price is higher, you will be able to ask a lot of questions about the temperament and health issues that you can expect.
Reputable Rat-Whip breeders will also be able to provide health records showing that their puppies are healthy. Just make sure to do your homework so you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Hopefully, with proper training, timely socialization, care, and attention, you and your Whippet Rat Terrier Mix puppy will make a happy match!
How Much Does a Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Cost?
The Whippet Rat Terrier Mix price may vary depending on various factors. The most important factors that influence the price of Whippet Rat Terrier Mix puppies for sale include your location, the breder’s reputation, and the parent dogs’ bloodline.
Purebred Whippets and Rat Terriers cost about $700 to $1500. However, this price can increase significantly because of the aforementioned factors. You will need to spend about $1000 for a healthy and high-quality Rat Terrier Whippet Mix puppy.
Despite this, buying Rat-whip puppies for sale from certified and reputable breeders is the way to go! You’ll go home with the peace of mind that you’re getting a quality and healthy puppy.
Whippet Rat Terrier Mix For Adoption
If you’re considering rescuing a Whippet Rat Terrier Mix from an animal shelter or rescue organization, rescue prices fall anywhere between $50 and $100.
Although there are a lot of hybrid dogs in shelters around the country, finding a Rat-Whip for adoption is a matter of luck.
Still, a major benefit of adopting a Rat Terrier Whippet Mix, besides the reduced price, is that most shelters and rescue centers are happy to cover the initial costs of vaccinations before adoption.
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Recommended Products and Accessories For A Whippet Rat Terrier Mix
The intelligent Whippet Rat Terrier Mix needs mental stimulation, so it’s extremely important to provide him with fun and interactive dog toys.
Furthermore, your dog needs high-quality dog products such as the MidWest Folding Crate for intermediate dogs and the Furhaven Orthopedic Dog Bed to stay safe, comfortable, happy, and healthy.
FAQs
Is A Whippet Rat Terrier Mix a Good Family Dog?
Both the Rat Terrier and the Whippet can do perfectly well in family settings because they relate well with children. The Whippet Rat Terrier Mix is also smart, affectionate, and playful, so he should be a great family dog.
Are Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Dogs High Maintenance?
No. The Whippet Rat Terrier Mix is a low-maintenance dog due to his short coat. In general, these dogs don’t require much grooming. You only need to brush the coat once a week and bathe them once a month to keep them in tip-top condition.
Can Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Dogs Be Left Alone?
The Whippet Rat Terrier Mix is an active and energetic dog that needs enough exercises each day. Therefore, they don’t like staying alone for long. Otherwise, they can get bored and start destroying your property.
How Long Can a Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Be Left Alone?
Although a Whippet Rat Terrier Mix dog does not tolerate staying alone, he can adjust to being alone for about 5 to 8 hours a day. However, make sure to meet their exercise needs if you want to prevent them from getting bored and developing destructive behaviors.
Are Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes Hypoallergenic?
No. Although the Whippet Rat Terrier Mix does not shed much, he isn’t hypoallergenic. That means that these dogs are not ideal for allergy sufferers.
Are Rat Terrier Whippets Lazy?
No. Rat Terrier Whippets are active and energetic dogs. Despite being small in size, they are not couch potatoes and require regular exercises.
Do Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes Bark A Lot?
Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes bark only when they think it’s necessary. They make good watchdogs because they bark when they want to alert you to someone at the door.
Are Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes Hard to Train?
Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes are intelligent, loyal, and eager to please. That means they are good candidates for obedience training. Since they can be stubborn, you need to start training as soon as possible.
Do Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes Like To Cuddle?
Yes. Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes love to cuddle with you on the sofa or in bed. They are always eager to please and enjoy staying near their owners.
Are Rat Terrier Whippets Aggressive?
Rat Terrier Whippets are not generally aggressive toward their owners and families, but they can be aggressive toward strangers and smaller animals. Therefore, early socialization is highly recommended.
Are Whippet Rat Terrier Dogs Smart?
Yes. Intelligent, brave, and playful, Whippet Rat Terrier dogs also enjoy pleasing their owners. This makes training quite easily.
Can Rat Terrier Whippets Be off Leash?
Rat Terrier Whippets need to be leash-walked. You don’t want to let them run off leash at the dog park or in fields. If they start running, odds are you won’t be able to catch them.
What Are Some Negatives About Whippet Rat Terriers?
- They can be bossy and stubborn
- Their high intelligence and stubbornness makes training a must
- They have a strong prey drive (not a good choice for households with smaller pets like cats and birds)
- They have high exercise requirements
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Is A Whippet Rat Terrier Mix Right for You?
Whippet Rat Terrier Mixes are friendly, loving, and delightful dogs. Since this designer dog is half Whippet, they need a secure fenced-in yard to prevent them from jumping and running away.
Both the Terrier and the Whippet have a strong prey drive, so this mix may not be a good choice for households with smaller pets like cats and birds.
However, they adapt well to apartment living and large home settings provided they are well exercised every day.
If you have a fenced-in home with no small pets, can provide proper training and exercises for this crossbreed, and want a playful, curious, and affectionate pooch, then the Rat-Whip can be a great choice for you!
Other Rat Terrier Mixes
Love Rat Terriers but not sure this particular pup is for you? Check out America’s most popular Rat Terrier mix breed dogs.
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