Prague Ratter
A tiny, sturdy Czech companion with a big personality, quick to learn and happiest close to its people.
At a glance
- Size
- Toy
- Height at the withers
- 20–23 cm
- Weight
- 1.5–3.5 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 30–45 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Black and tan, Brown, Blue, Red
- Bred for
- Companionship
- Country of origin
- Czechia
- FCI
- Group 9, no. 363 · Companion & toy dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 4/5 – High |
| Suits apartment living | 5/5 – Very high |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 1/5 – Very low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- live in a flat or a small home
- want a small dog that still enjoys walks and games
- are home a lot and want a close companion
Think twice if you …
- have very young children who might drop or squeeze a tiny dog
- want a dog that is happy alone for long hours
- dislike a dog that barks at the doorbell
Care
Temperament
Lively, alert and very attached to its family, the Prague Ratter tends to follow its people from room to room. It can be a little wary of strangers at first and will announce visitors, but it is rarely sharp when well socialised.
Exercise
Two short walks a day plus indoor play usually keep it content. It enjoys sniffing games, trick training and even small-dog agility.
Grooming
The short coat needs only a weekly rub-down with a soft brush. Regular tooth brushing and nail trims matter more than coat care.
Training
Quick and eager, it responds well to short, reward-based sessions. House training can take patience, as with most toy breeds.
Health
Like many very small dogs, Prague Ratters can be prone to luxating kneecaps, retained puppy teeth and dental crowding, and an open fontanelle in some lines. Ask the breeder for kneecap and eye results on the parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Kneecaps (patella)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Prague Ratter is a Czech breed with roots in the old Bohemian lands, where small dogs like this were kept in homes and courts and, as the name suggests, were also handy against vermin. The modern breed was rebuilt by Czech enthusiasts in the late 20th century and remains rare outside Central Europe.
In daily life it is a pocket-sized but well-balanced dog, less fragile-looking than many toys. It likes to be involved in everything, enjoys short walks and games, and settles well in a flat. Its small size means children need to handle it gently, and it feels the cold, so a coat on winter walks is sensible.
Did you know?
Its Czech name, pražský krysařík, translates simply as 'Prague ratter'.