Chat Terrier

by Angela Vuckovic

Published: March 24th, 2022

A new and relatively rare mix, the Chat Terrier is known by a variety of names, including the Rat Cha, and Chiterrier.

boyphare/Shutterstock

Chat Terrier Basics

Mixing two spunky, energetic, and willful dog breeds into one can result in nothing but tons of fun! The Chat Terrier is quite a unique designer breed that will make your daily life a lot less boring. Energetic, playful, fun, and affectionate, these smart little dogs are the crossbreed offspring of a Chihuahua and a Rat Terrier. They are super cute and small, relatively easy to care for, and are very loyal and loving. What more can an owner ask for?

Of course, you need to be prepared before beginning your Chat Terrier adventure! Caring for designer breeds such as this one can be a bit of a challenge, so it is best to know what you’re heading into. Read on as we cover all the essentials surrounding this unique breed, and give you crucial insights into caring for a Chat Terrier. After all, proper knowledge is every dog owner’s best tool!

Origin

A new and relatively rare mix, the Chat Terrier is known by a variety of names, including the Rat Cha, and Chiterrier. Still, the origins remain the same: this crossbreed came from the union of the Chihuahua and the Rat Terrier. Both of these breeds share many similar traits and have long histories behind them.

The Chihuahua is a relatively old breed and loved across the globe for generations. The first mention of it comes from the Spanish Conquistadores, who spotted these dogs amongst the ancient Aztecs. Ever since it has become a goofy little four-legged friend for many around the globe. The Rat Terrier evolved probably in the early 1900s, developed in America from the earliest English hunting terriers. As such, this small dog was a hunting companion and a working breed, its main purpose being the hunting of rats. The Rat Terrier was a staple of every American farm, as it made the environment protected and free from rats. Over time, thanks to their great traits, they became loved as a family pet.

The Chat Terrier is still very much younger than either of its parent breeds. They likely originated in the 1990s in America, where a period of crossbreeding amongst various breeds was at an all-time high. Many designer breeds emerged around this time, the Chat Terrier being one of them.

Pedigree

Unlike purebred dogs, designer dogs don’t have a set of appearance standards or a pedigree. A lot is left to chance, as breeders usually don’t know how a litter would turn out, as all Chat Terriers are first-generation mixes. Still, there are a few features that are common to this designer breed. These dogs can have variations in height and head appearance. They will either inherit the height of a Chihuahua or a Rat Terrier, and the face of either one.

In general, these are small dogs whose height will average between 12 and 14 inches, and whose weight won’t exceed 15 pounds. They usually have pointy small tails, large pointed ears, and moderately-sized snouts. Well-proportioned for the most part, the Chat Terrier can have a bit stubby legs, if they take on the Chihuahua side.

Food / Diet

A proper diet is essential for any dog. The Chat Terrier, being relatively small and having a moderate energy level, will require a balanced diet with measured portions. Choose a formula that is specialized for their size and energy levels and is made from wholesome, natural ingredients. Meat should be the first ingredient on the list, and there shouldn’t be any bad fillers in the formula, such as meat meal and byproduct, wheat, corn, soy, or artificial ingredients.

As a small breed dog, Chat Terriers won’t need a lot of food in order to be full, and can even display a lack of interest in food. Due to this, it is important to establish a solid eating routine that your pet will depend on. Also, it is imperative that portions are well measured and nutritious, with high-quality kibble that is rich in protein.

Training

The Chat Terrier can be a surprisingly intelligent little dog, with a good grasp of commands and authority. All you need is patience, a bit of free time, knowledge of positive reinforcement methods, and an attitude of authority. Of course, it is best to start early on, as puppies are quicker to learn than adult dogs. Remember that a Chat Terrier responds superbly to praise and rewards, so don’t skimp on either one. Sometimes, these dogs can have a stubborn streak, but that’s nothing a bit of patience and a positive approach won’t help with.

Socialization also plays an important role in the training process. Begin early, and make sure that your dog is exposed to strangers and new dogs. This is the key to making them friendly and helps eliminate their distrustfulness of strangers and bossiness towards other dogs that Chat Terriers can develop in some cases.

Weight

A small-sized breed, the Chat Terrier is between 10 and 15 pounds in weight on average. And when combined with their average height, these dogs are generally well-proportioned. Thanks to their size and weight, the Chat Terrier is suited for a variety of living environments, ranging from apartments to standard homes. Of course, the more free space – the better. If you have a fenced-in yard, your pet will greatly benefit from that. After all, there’s no substitute for the green grass and the open skies above! It can make a world of difference for any dog.

Proper diet should be a priority when caring for a Chat Terrier. If overfed and under-exercised, these dogs can become chubby and eventually obese. This is a big no-no, as it leads to many health issues such as diabetes and causes aching joints and mobility issues in the long run.

Temperament / Behavior

The Chat Terrier inherits a great combination of character traits from their parents that make them ideal as pet dogs. They are very smart and inquisitive and will respond to commands surprisingly well. On the other hand, they are also very affectionate and loyal and will love to play and make friends. But most of all, the Chat Terrier loves the owner’s attention. They year for praise and affection, and will love to snooze in your lap and to be held by you. Due to this, the Chat Terrier is a true lap dog in many ways.

In general, these dogs display a great mix of traits - being fun and energetic on one side, and affectionate and sweet on the other. That makes them a real “jack of all trades” amongst dogs, and very easy to love and grow fond of. Just make sure to offer them affection, care, and to satisfy their needs, and in turn, you will have a loyal and loving friend.

Common Health Problems

Both Chihuahuas and Rat Terriers are known as hardy and long-lived breeds. The Rat Terrier especially is known as a sturdy and enduring breed, created for hard work and hunting of rats. Still, they both have some common health issues that are transferred to the Chat Terrier. The more serious inherited issues to look for can be patellar luxation, hip and elbow dysplasia, collapsed trachea, diabetes, hydrocephalus, and others. These conditions are rare – but not impossible to inherit.

Those more common and less threatening issues are cataracts, dental issues, obesity, retinal atrophy, alopecia, and Legg-Calves Perthes disease. Still, there are no reasons to worry: the Chat Terrier is known as a long-lived and hardy crossbreed, and with plenty of care and vet checkups, you should have everything under control. Just remember that a lot depends on you as an owner. Provide your pet with quality and healthy food, plenty of exercise, and regular veterinary care, and in turn, you will ensure your pet is in prime form throughout their life.

Life Expectancy

The Chat Terrier is one of the designer breeds with the longest lifespan! They are expected to live between 13 and 18 years, which exceeds the average maximum lifespan for dogs by three years! These are hardy little fellows that do well in their golden years. If you are looking for a small lap dog with great character traits that will become a steadfast companion for a great portion of your life, then look no further than the Chat Terrier.

Of course, you cannot expect your pet reaches 18 years of age all on their own. Like it or not, dogs depend a lot on their owners – such is their evolution. So make sure to provide them with devoted and undivided care, including a great diet, vet checkups, and healthy exercise.

Exercise Requirements

With moderate to high energy levels, the Chat Terrier will be an easy dog to please if you lead an active lifestyle. Provide 30 to 60 minutes of quality and energetic exercise per day, as well as regular walks and set time for playing, and your pet will be satisfied and thriving. Although fun and full of energy, the Chat Terriers are not all over the place. They love a good snooze and don’t need much to burn off their energy. And, of course, they simply love the embrace of their loving owner, and to nap on your lap. So make sure to make some extra room on the sofa, after the playtime and exercise are done – it’s snoozing time!

In the end, a fenced-in yard is your best choice as it gives you all the flexibility that a park offers within the comfort of your home. And it is a great benefit for your pet since they can run about and enjoy the fresh air as much as they want. Just be careful – the Chat Terrier might have a tendency of digging holes in the yard or trying to escape, so a secure fence is a must.

Recognized Clubs

The American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize any of the new designer dog breeds, Chat Terrier included. However, as one of the more common designer dog breeds, the Chat Terrier is recognized by the leading registries centered on hybrids, crossbreeds, and designer breeds, including the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), as well as the International Designer Breed Registry (IDBR).

Coat

The coat of the Chat Terrier is inherited largely from its parent breeds. The Rat Terrier has a smooth and short coat, while the Chihuahua can have it both short and long, which will influence the coat of their mixed offspring. The Chat Terrier can have a short or a long coat, depending on the parentage, and that can require different grooming routines. Short coat Chat Terriers are low maintenance with occasional brushing and baths, and those with flowy locks need daily brushing to keep their silky hair free of mats and tangles. As for the coat colors, the general variations are black, white, tan, spotted, and brown.

Puppies

Usually, a Chat Terrier litter will have 3 to 5 puppies, each unique-looking: some might look more like the Chihuahua parent and others can take up after the Rat Terrier mom or dad. In those early days, your puppy will be very fragile and delicate. Avoid large crowds where they can be stressed out and hurt. But after the early stages are over, you should begin socialization! It is a big part of puppy rearing and lays down a great foundation for their future. It makes them friendly and affectionate, and irons out all those wrinkles that a Chat Terrier might have. And, of course, it makes them become the best version they can be! Simultaneously, start with early training, with commands sit and stay as the first thing you’ll teach, before progressing to more complex training as your puppy reaches the 4 and 6-month mark.

Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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Do you have a dog that loves to play with socks? Does your dog steal your socks from the laundry basket or even right off your feet? While many dog parents will view that as troublesome behavior, one family recognized that a dog’s love for removing socks might be a golden ticket to something more. Daiquiri, an Australian Shepherd from Canada, recently claimed a new world record after successfully removing the most socks from people’s feet in a minute. The adorable record attempt was held on the set of the TV series Lo Show Dei Record in Italy. Here, Daiquiri went person to person, removing 21 socks from the feet of 11 women as they sat in a row in front of him. He was given three attempts at beating the record previously held by Lilu and Briana from California (20 socks). His owner, Jennifer Fraser, wasn’t allowed to touch the pup at any point during the attempts, but she could guide and encourage him through the process. On his first try, Daiquiri tied the existing record. On his second try, he beat it by a single sock!

Jack Russell Terrier Adopts and Nurses Six Abandoned Kittens

People grow up believing that cats and dogs are mortal enemies. Phrases like “fight like cats and dogs" just reinforce that belief.But, is this really true? Is there no way for felines and canines to get along? As it turns out, dogs and cats can be more than friends.A Jack Russell terrier, named Teasel, has become a surrogate mom to six abandoned kittens. Sue Stubley, who lives in the Suffolk town of Newmarket, was contacted after a feral cat abandoned her litter. Ms Stubley, who runs Suffolk Hedgehog Hospital in Newmarket, primarily rescues hedgehogs but has agreed to take the abandoned kittens for the night and take them to the cat rescue center the next morning. However, Ms Stubley’s two-year-old Jack Russell had other plans. According to Ms Stubley, Teasel began lactating the same evening and the hungry kittens latched on to feed. “My dog decided that she was going to look after them. She’s lactating, she’s feeding them, she cleans them, she does everything. So it’s actually been quite easy for me,” said Ms Stubley.At first, Teasel wasn’t making enough milk, and Ms Stubley had to supplement the kitten’s feedings. However, the new mom managed to produce a lot of milk the following morning, and the more she nurses, the more she produces. Apparently, Teasel's maternal instinct kicked in quickly. “If anyone comes in that she doesn’t know and picks one of the kittens up, she’ll march over and go and pick them up and bring them to her back again. She’s adopted proper mum behavior.”Ms Stubley was initially worried about how Teasel might react and thought that she might go after one of the kittens. But that never happened.“By the time they were ready for their second feed, they were sat with her and cuddled up with her. Generally, she is a very gentle dog that loves and adores everyone. She loves children, she’s a great little dog. And apparently, her mum was very similar and was very nurturing so it’s obviously something that’s in her nature.” According to BBC, Dr Rachel Grant, a biologist at London South Bank University, explained that such interspecies adoptions are most likely the result of fixed action patterns in which the adopted animal is reacting to a certain trigger from the adoptee. “This sets off a cascade in the brain that elicits the pattern of behavior,” said Dr Grant. The closer the species are to one another, the higher the chances for cross-species adoption to happen. This means that it’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever hear about an alligator nursing a puppy.“In baby mammals, there will be certain features that mammals share with other mammals,” said Dr Grant. “Cats and dogs, for example, are both mammals and the cues that are driving maternal behavior are very similar. They will be responding to certain cues.”When it comes to baby mammals, they will act on an instinct too. In Teasel’s case, the kittens are instinctively “rooting” - like human babies or puppies - for a nipple to feed on. “These things aren’t under conscious control,” Dr Grant explained. The strong maternal instincts exhibited by Teasel show that she’ll be a wonderful mother to her puppies, in case she one day gives birth to a litter of her own. Ms Stubley has already found loving homes for the kittens to go to when they are old enough, but she says she’ll miss them terribly.“As for Teasel, I don’t know how she’ll feel when they’re gone but I think she’s their surrogate mum for life now.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Are You A Hugger? Some Dogs Prefer You Back Off!

When it comes to snuggling your pet, the language of love can differ.

Will SWELCE Replace Rover? Time Will Tell

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce prove influential when its time to name that new pet.

How to Tell Your Cats Are About to Fight, According to Scientists

Have you ever wondered if your cats are play fighting or fighting for real? People living in multi-cat households know that the occasional scuffle or a full-blown cat fight is bound to happen. However, many cat owners have a hard time figuring out whether their cats are fighting or roughhousing. A new study published in Scientific Reports can provide some clues. As it turns out, certain behaviors could indicate whether an interaction between two felines is friendly, aggressive, or something in between. In this study, scientists, including Noema Gajdoš-Kmecová from the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Slovakia, analyzed 105 videos of interactions between 210 cats. The videos were obtained directly from cat owners and YouTube. After watching around one-third of the videos, Gajdoš-Kmecová pinpointed six types of specific behaviors, including wrestling, chasing, staying still, vocalizing, interactive, and non-interactive activities. She then watched all the videos again to see which cats exhibited one of these specific behaviors and for how long. After running a statistical analysis, Gajdoš-Kmecová was able to identify three distinctive types of interactions between the cat pairs - playful, intermediate, and aggressive. To confirm her findings, other members of the research team also watched the videos and classified each interaction between cats. Over half of the cats from the videos, 56% to be exact, exhibited playful interactions. According to the study, playful interactions included wrestling and a lack of vocalization. About 29% were labeled as agonistic, meaning they exhibited any type of social behavior that included threatening, aggression, and submission. Cats in this group vocalized and exhibited recurring bouts of inactivity.The cats in the intermediate group were involved in both aggressive and playful encounters. According to researchers, this group showed prolonged exchanges of specific behaviors, like laying on the back with the belly exposed, pouncing, stalking, and grooming each other. Scientists believe that this mixture of playful and aggressive behavior may be a sign of short-term friction between the cats rather than the end of the relationship. “This might escalate into a fully agonistic encounter but does not necessarily reflect a breakdown in their social relationship but rather a short-term disagreement in social priorities,” researchers wrote in the study. This study is the first to apply a scientific approach to cat behavior that can be identified by experienced and first-time owners alike. Thanks to this study, scientists can now classify inter-cat interactions as either playful, agonistic, or intermediate. “Wrestling can be a sign of a fight but if it comes with bouts of inactivity then that often means it is playful,” explained Profesor Daniel Mills, who led the study.“Playfighting is also without vocalizations. That’s the profile of a friendly cat. The agonistic cat, they might not do as much wrestling with inactivity but they do lots of vocalization.”“Owners should keep an eye out on how much they are wrestling and whether or not they’re vocalizing. Vocalizing can be broad and include meowing and also yowling,” he added. We all know when cats are fighting fur real, but it’s important to recognize intermediate interactions, where things could end in play or escalate into a real fight. “A lot of cats end up at cat rescue centers because the owners think that they’ve fallen out. In the clinic, I’ve seen cats that are playing and the owner thinks it’s a real fight,” said Professor Mills. If your cats are really getting along (share food and toys and sleep together), an occasional bout of agonistic play is okay. But if your cats aren’t the best of friends, you should look for signs of agonistic behavior. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

What to Know About Osteoarthritis in Cats

Osteoarthritis, also referred to as OA, is a condition that’s common in cats – experts have found that 90% of kitties over the age of 12 have it. And because cats may hide the signs, it can be overlooked, so it’s a good idea to learn about the symptoms and keep an eye out for them, especially as your pet gets older. The good news is, if your feline friend is diagnosed with this condition, there are things you can do to help her experience less pain.

Why Is My Dog Licking and Chewing His Paws?

You might think it’s gross, but your pooch certainly doesn’t – canines are known to lick themselves as a way of grooming. While your dog might lick their body thoroughly to keep it clean, sometimes, their self-grooming can be abnormal. If you notice that your pet is licking or even chewing their paws obsessively, it should raise concern. This type of behavior might indicate an underlying medical issue, so here’s what you need to know before you phone your vet.Is It Normal for Dogs to Lick and Chew Their Paws?While some licking of their paws after they get dirty can be perfectly normal, constant licking or chewing of the paws is certainly not usual behavior. There could be several reasons behind this, and it could indicate that your attention and even intervention are needed. Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs lick and chew their paws.Allergies:  Allergies, including food allergies, environmental allergies (such as pollen or dust mites), and contact allergies (for example, from cleaning products or lawn chemicals), can lead to itching and discomfort in dogs. Paw licking and chewing can be a response to this itching. If you suspect that an allergy might be in question, don’t hesitate to visit your vet.Skin irritation or infection: If your dog's paws are red, swollen, or have an unpleasant odor, it may indicate a  skin infection or irritation. Bacterial or fungal infections, as well as foreign objects like splinters or thorns, can lead to serious issues down the road. Again, if you notice any of the above, it’s time to visit the vet.Dry or cracked paw pads: Dry or cracked paw pads can be uncomfortable for dogs. Licking and chewing may be their way of trying to soothe the discomfort. This happens to many dogs, and can be caused by their environment, the surface on which they walk, and many other things. Luckily, you can prevent this with paw wax that will create a barrier between the pads and the walking surface, or treat existing issues with paw butter that soothes and repairs the pads. This particular  2-in-1 paw butter and wax is a favorite of mine because it is made from all-natural ingredients and heals cracked paws in no time – while simultaneously preventing future irritation and dryness. 

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