Rattle Dog

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 12-18 years
The Rattle Dog is a hybrid breed of the Rat Terrier and the Poodle. This breed does have some health conditions that you need to know about. If you ever feel that your pup may not be in the best health, it is important to talk to your veterinarian to find out what screenings are needed and how to provide the best care. Some of the medical conditions you need to be concerned about include Cushing’s Disease, Addison’s Disease, hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand’s Disease, bloat, patellar luxation, mange, hip dysplasia, and allergies.

Cushing’s Disease is passed down from parent to pup and the disease occurs when there is a benign tumor located on the pituitary gland. This disease can affect the way that your pup functions.

Addison’s Disease is another disease passed down from parent to pup and occurs when there is a problem with the adrenal gland. When this disease is present, your pup will not have enough corticosteroids in his or her body, which does not allow the body to function properly.

Hypothyroidism occurs when there is a problem with the thyroid. When the thyroid cannot work correctly, you will find that your pup either becomes obese or has trouble gaining weight.

Von Willebrand’s Disease is an inherited blood disorder that occurs when there is a lack of proteins in the platelets. This causes the platelets to be unable to clot the blood in your pup’s body.

Bloat is always a concern with many breeds and your Rattle Dog is no exception. This condition can be fatal if it is not caught and treated in time. Veterinarians often explain this condition best by your pup swallowing too much air. Air trapped in the stomach causes the stomach to expand, which will impair the function of surrounding organs.

Patellar luxation is a knee dislocation and often occurs in small breed dogs and also in female pups. If your pup does have a dislocated knee, you will notice lameness in the leg and your pup may not use his or her leg at all.

Mange is common to the Rattle Dog and is a type of skin disease. This disease occurs when small parasitic mites attack the skin on your pup. This condition can cause uncontrollable itching, lesions on the skin, scabs, and sometimes infection from open wounds.

Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the hip joint in your pup and causes a lot of pain. You will find that your pup has trouble moving around, going from a lounging to standing position and vice versa.

Lastly, your Rattle Dog may have allergies. These allergies can occur from different substances such as environmental factors or ingredients in their dry food. If you are concerned about allergies, your veterinarian can run tests on your pup to determine the cause and sensitivities.

The Rattle Dog has a life expectancy of 12 to 18 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Rattle Dog is a free spirit of a dog and you will find that he or she is relaxed in her day to day activities. With this free spirit comes a somewhat independent pup who likes to explore and be curious. While this is not a problem, you do want to make sure your pup does not explore any areas he or she should not be in.

This breed is social and friendly as well, which makes him or her a great companion when you go out into the city or for a car ride to the dog park. You should always socialize your pup early on to ensure the best behavior.

This pup is not fond of strangers but is not overly aggressive either. You will find that this pup does bark quite a bit, especially if there is a stranger nearby. If you do not like this, you can weed it out with training.

The Rattle Dog loves to be the center of attention and wants to receive a ton of love. You will find that this pup begs for love constantly and will make sure you know that he or she is close by.

This pup is considered to be mildly active and should receive some time outside every day whether that be a walk or time to roam freely in the yard. Your pup will like to dig, so make sure your fence is secure at all times.

The Rattle Dog is considered easy to train, but you may find that he can be stubborn once in a while. It is vital that you do not use harsh methods with this breed as they will only work against you.

Grooming

Grooming your Rattle Dog will depend on the coat that he or she has. If your pup has more of the Poodle coat, you will need to brush it every day to remove tangles and head to the groomer every couple of months to receive a trim. If your pup has more of the Rat Terrier coat, you will notice your pup sheds a bit more and needs to be brushed to remove loose hairs.

You do not need to give your pup a bath unless he or she truly needs it. When you do bathe him or her, make sure you use a mild shampoo.

Your pup will need to have his or her nails trimmed once per month and ears cleaned at least once per week.

Diet

Your Rattle Dog will consume anywhere between 1 1/2 cups of food to 2 1/2 cups of food per day. You should choose a high-quality brand of dry kibble that meets your pup’s nutritional needs.
 

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Cost

A Rattle Dog puppy will cost anywhere between $300 and $700. When it comes to the cost of your pup, make sure to set aside additional funds to pay for your pup’s food, supplies, vet appointments, and vaccines.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. Your Rattle Dog is a fairly active pup that likes to get out of the house and walk or play around. You will find that this breed always wants to be the center of attention. Your pup will be easy to train, but you do need to have some patience and avoid a harsh tone. This breed ranks a 1.

 

Poodle

Rat Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier

Cairn Terrier