17 Dog Breeds for Hunting Rats & Mice: Info, Pictures, & Traits
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
Some dogs could put a house cat out of business, being quite sufficient mousers themselves. Notoriously, terriers and pinschers are extremely efficient hunters of smaller rodents and vermin. If you’re looking for a companion animal that doubles as a pest control service, we’ve rounded up 17 of the best dog breeds for the job. Let’s see if any of these dogs would work in a home with you.
The 17 Mouse & Rat Hunting Dog Breeds
1. Affenpinscher
| Height: | 9–12 inches |
| Weight: | 7–13 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 11–14 years |
| Colors: | Black, gray, silver, red, black and tan, white, brown with red hair |
The Affenpinscher is a German breed notorious for scouting out rodents. These little dogs were originally bred in Germany to exterminate rats and other small problematic animals in homes during the 1600s.
Because of their fast-paced duties, it transfers into the breed in the present day. These dogs love running around, smelling all of the different smells, and chasing after smaller pets. This breed is inquisitive and fun-loving, acclimating well into various lifestyles.
Because of their compact size, they are generally suitable to have with children and other pets. They also make perfect apartment companions.
2. Rat Terrier
| Height: | 10–18 inches |
| Weight: | 10–25 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 15–18 years |
| Colors: | Black, tan, chocolate, gray Isabella, lemon and apricot, tri-color |
The Rat Terrier is a fun-loving farm dog and hunting companion. They ruled the roost on family farms in the early 1900s. They helped keep rodents and other pests at bay in barns and other outbuildings.
The Rat Terrier might have a high prey drive, but they get along very well with various people and animals. They tend to be very spunky and lively, with intelligence to boot. These little dogs need plenty of exercise to stay happy.
3. American Hairless Terrier
| Height: | 12–16 inches |
| Weight: | 5.5–25 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14–16 years |
| Colors: | Pink and red, pink and gray, pink and black, pink and gold |
The American Hairless Terrier is certainly a unique addition to the list. These dogs have no hair, with skin mimicking that of a human’s. They even sweat out of their pores, just like we do! Because of this, these dogs don’t have the same need to paint. They are very athletic dogs, making them highly suitable for hunting small rodents.
These friendly dogs are very happy-go-lucky and eager to please. They work with a variety of lifestyles and age groups. Their personalities typically make them highly compatible for obedience training and agility exercise.
They are highly affectionate in the home but don’t settle down easily. These dogs much prefer to be on the go.
4. Manchester Terrier
| Height: | 15–16 inches |
| Weight: | 12–22 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 15–17 years |
| Colors: | Black and tan |
The physically capable Manchester Terrier was bred for their ratting and rabbit coursing capabilities. Helpful and handy, these dogs were certainly skilled in the trade.
These days, these athletic pups make outstanding pets for folks with active lifestyles. These dogs will love to accompany you to the dog park to toss around the frisbee or chase a ball. At the end of the day, they make great cuddle buddies, too.
These dogs come in both standard and toy varieties so you can get the size that works best for you.
5. Miniature Schnauzer
| Height: | 11–13 inches |
| Weight: | 11–18 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14–16 years |
| Colors: | Grey, white |
The distinguished Miniature Schnauzer is a real award winner in rodent reduction. These little dogs were bred to keep these sorts of creatures at bay. Today, they make more suitable family companions and love being around their people.
Schnauzers are typically very good-natured dogs that are spunky, brave, and affectionate. These loyal little companions might be a tad on the vocal side occasionally, but it’s really a hit or miss.
The Miniature Schnauzer also comes in a standard and giant variety. If you haven’t seen them, be sure to check one out!
6. Norfolk Terrier
| Height: | 9–10 inches |
| Weight: | 11–12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Colors: | Grizzle, wheaten, black and tan, red |
The Norfolk Terrier is an act of a little dog that was bred to chase vermin and foxes. It might be a big surprise, being that they are even smaller than some of the prey they chase.
The Norfolk Terrier loves being part of the family, permitting you can keep up with their busy-body personalities. Rather than cuddling on the couch, this dog loves to play and go on lots of adventures. This makes them extremely compatible with active lifestyles.
Even though they are small, they need lots of space to roam and explore. So if you live in an apartment, ensure you have a proper plan to provide mental and physical stimulation.
7. Brussels Griffon
| Height: | 10 inches |
| Weight: | 8–12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–15 years |
| Colors: | Black, beige, black and tan, blue, brown, red |
The Brussels Griffon is a great tracker, and they were engineered to hunt rodents and stables. While this remains their roots, these dogs are most generally found in the home as family companions today.
The Brussels Griffon is notorious for their tiny bodies and top-notch beards. You can dress these dogs up in all sorts of costumes and give them their very own look. They are one of the most colorful of all canines regarding personality.
While these dogs may be a little hard to house train, they excel in other forms of training and can be very good candidates for agility exercises.
8. Cairn Terrier
| Height: | 9–10 inches |
| Weight: | 13–14 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14–16 years |
| Colors: | Crème, light brindle, darker brindle, wheaten, dark red brindle, red, rich red, red brindle, gray, black |
The Cairn Terrier was developed for the exciting task of digging into piles of rocks to find vermin. These dogs are very hardy, muscular specimens with very few health issues to mention.
The Cairn Terrier is both brave and bossy! These fierce little dogs are not afraid of a thing and can even feel a little challenged by smaller children. We recommend this particular breed for children 6 and older.
However, they can make extremely good companions for adults and older folks looking for an in-home companion. They do require a moderate amount of exercise to keep them fit and satisfied.
9. Yorkshire Terrier
| Height: | 7–8 inches |
| Weight: | 4–6 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14–16 years |
| Colors: | Black and tan, blue and tan, blue and gold, black and gold |
Yorkshire Terriers once monitored cotton mills and mines during the 1850s to hunt mice and rats therein. Since then, they’ve become a trendy lap dog instead.
The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy breed with a larger-than-life personality. These peppy little dogs will certainly give you a run for your money if you’re a novice owner and will rule the roost if you let them. It’s essential to be firm during training.
Because of their headstrong nature, they often don’t make the best companion animals for children. They much prefer adults to give them the love and affection they need.
10. Dachshund
| Height: | 6–9 inches |
| Weight: | 16–32 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–16 years |
| Colors: | Black and tan, brindle, wild boar, red brindle |
You might think that a Dachshund’s body is all for looks, but it actually had a very, very specific purpose. In Germany, these dogs were used to chase badgers and rodents out of their holes for hunters.
These dogs have kept some of their prey-driven personality traits and love being on the go. These spirited little dogs are sometimes challenging for certain personalities because they can be very headstrong and demanding.
But they are equally affectionate and make excellent companions for various lifestyles. Did we mention they are adorable?
11. Schipperke
| Height: | 11–13 inches |
| Weight: | 12–16 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 13–15 years |
| Colors: | Black, apricot, cream, wheaten, red, chocolate |
The brave Schipperke was created to be a watchdog and master ratter. They have powerful necks and jaws compared to their small size, so don’t let it fool you! These pups made excellent guard dogs and alerted their humans at any trespassing, both people and pets alike.
The Schipperke makes a curious, fearless, and confident companion. They will certainly keep you on your toes as they live a life full of activity and exploration. Even though they are small dogs, they still require quite a bit of exercise and a day to fulfill their needs.
This breed tends to get along well with people of all ages; they can have some trouble with smaller house pets.
12. Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
| Height: | 8–15 inches |
| Weight: | 20–25 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14–17 years |
| Colors: | White, black, tri-color, black and tan, black and white, lemon and white, red, blue and white |
The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a distinguished-looking gentleman that keeps farms and homes free of mice and rats. They also excel in agility and obedience training as they are receptive and responsive to commands.
These little dogs make tremendous companions for a variety of different folks. They love the great outdoors, and will gladly accompany you on hikes, walks, and off-leash adventures. They are chipper enough to get along with almost anyone they encounter.
Even though they need a moderate amount of mental and physical exercise, these dogs can work well in smaller living conditions. However, they much prefer having open space to roam.
13. German Pinscher
| Height: | 17–20 inches |
| Weight: | 25–45 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
| Colors: | Black and tan, fawn, blue, brown, red |
You might confuse the German Pinscher with its larger cousin, the Doberman Pinscher. Both are some of Germany’s oldest breeds, and this particular dog had tasks hunting, controlling vermin, and guarding the residence. German Pinschers are quite efficient in their duties and take them seriously to this day.
The German Pinscher tends to be very obedient, even-tempered, and highly affectionate. Once they bond with the family, they are in it for life! They will guard, protect, and interact with each household member and can be an absolute joy to have around.
These dogs are brilliant, so be careful not to get outsmarted by them. While they are eager to please and easy to train, they can outwit you at every turn.
14. Jack Russell Terrier
| Height: | 13–14 inches |
| Weight: | 9–15 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14–16 years |
| Colors: | White and tan, tri-color |
The chipper Jack Russell Terrier is a prevalent breed that you probably know immediately. These dogs are excellent mousers, with their fast, efficient movements.
Jack Russells are very active little dogs, like many terriers, that love exploring and running around. They certainly require a fenced-in space to burn off some steam. They also make very loyal, attached family companions for virtually any age group.
Jack Russells can be a little bossy and might suffer from little dog syndrome. They might also try to overpower their human companions and will require a firm hand during training.
15. Lakeland Terrier
| Height: | 13–15 inches |
| Weight: | 15–17 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–16 years |
| Colors: | Black and tan, blue and tan, red grizzle, liver, blue, black, wheaten |
The Lakeland Terrier looks a lot like their larger cousin, the Airedale Terrier. This little guy is a team player, typically working together with others of their kind to protect shepherds from foxes. They can also chase off smaller vermin like rats.
The Lakeland Terrier is an incredibly intelligent, friendly, and independent dog that loves to get things done! They will be highly trainable and love time spent learning with their human families. Even though they love to be active, they equally love affection from their owners.
This dog is compatible with town and country living.
16. West White Highland Terrier
| Height: | 10–11 inches |
| Weight: | 14–20 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 14–16 years |
| Colors: | White |
The West White Highland Terrier was bred to track and hunt rats and other underground rodents. They are very structurally sound, tough little dogs that move efficiently and quickly.
The Westie is a fun-loving little dog that happily accompanies you on any outing. They will cheerfully go through life, making friends everywhere they go. They can be a little bossy occasionally, but with proper training, these can make exceptional companions with lots of love to give.
Even though Westies love to be on the go, they still make very good candidates for in-town living. Just ensure they get the appropriate amount of exercise and socialization to keep them happy.
17. Norwich Terrier
| Height: | 9–10 inches |
| Weight: | 11–12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
| Colors: | Wheaten, grizzle, black and tan, tan, red |
The Norwich Terrier is the smallest of all terriers. These pups are from East Anglia in England, originally purposed for hunting vermin. During the 1880s, it became a very popular companion animal for students at Cambridge.
These hardy dogs are affectionate and intelligent. They love to be in on the business and absolutely love running around and getting into trouble. These little dogs require human companionship and love to be around their people 24/7.
Norwich Terriers are a little rarer than some other breeds, making them more difficult to find.
Conclusion
Now you can see that terriers were quite literally bred for hunting and vermin. So if you get one of these breeds, they will instinctually serve that purpose. Pinschers are close behind, being incredible mousers themselves. Each one of these dogs has a slightly different appearance and personality.
Of all of these adorable dog breeds, which one was your favorite?
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Featured Image Credit: Imageman, Shutterstock
