Dog Breed Profile and Information

All About Prague Ratter: The Smallest Dog   By Janice Jones |Published January 15, 2020

Never heard of the Pražský Krysařík or Prague Ratter?  You’re not alone.  This is a rare dog breed originating from the Czech Republic.  Though they look surprisingly similar to other dog breeds you may have encountered, they are a breed apart and also extremely tiny.

Pražský means Prague and Krysařík means ratter.

They were renowned for killing rats, and that is how they got their name. Their tiny size, alert temperament, keen sense of smell, and speed made them the perfect candidate for reducing the rat population in the Europe of the Middle Ages. Today, however they are considered a companion breed, as their ratting days are over.

Commonly known as the national dog of the Czech Republic, the Prague Ratter is also believed to be the smallest dog breed in the world. Some consider them to be a national treasure. 

The dog is typical of 7 to 9 inches in height (20-23 cm) and 3-7 pounds in weight, (1.5 to 3.5 kg) with a lean body wrapped in thin skin.

A Brief History of the Prague Ratter

It is very difficult to trace these dogs to their beginnings, but according to Gala Anonym wrote that the Polish King Boleslav II the Generous (1058-1080) was enamored by the breed and received two from Bohemia (Czech lands).

In the very early history of Bohemia, this breed was often given as a gift to other European rulers.  Once the domain of royal palaces, they eventually found their way into society.

The dog was considered to be a status symbol among the kings, princes, and other officials back in the date. But he was best known for his ratting abilities, a sought after skill of the time.

As you may recall, the Middle Ages was a time of devastating plagues brought on and carried by the rat flea.  The bubonic plague epidemic  (Black Death) killed some 30% to 60% of the European population at the time. 

The popularity of the Prague Ratter declined in the 19th century when the Miniature Pinscher (a German breed that looks remarkably similar to the Prague Ratter) became popular. 

The popularity of this dog declined during the world wars. As was the case with many dog breeds, both World War I and then World War Two took a tremendous toll on the dog populations of Europe as dog breeding became secondary to war efforts.

However, the dog managed to survive over the years. They went through a renaissance in the 1980s as Czechs and Slovaks started to breed them again.

Today they are found world-wide in very limited numbers.  Many of the foundation stock of this breed are exported from the Czeck Republic. 

They are recognized by the FCI Fédération Cynologique Internationale and the American Rare Breed Association.

Similar But Different Breeds

Appearance

Prague Ratter holds a strong resemblance to Miniature Pinscher, but these are slightly smaller in size than them. They carry a lean and elegant look with skinny legs and a graceful, long neck. They are short and firm with an upright tail, which is always set high.

Out of all the dog breeds, the Prague Ratter is the smallest, and it has very short, glossy, and black hair. Some dogs even have brown hair around their nose, legs, and torso. Their head is pear-shaped with projecting cheeks, and somewhat bulging dark brown eyes.

They have a compact body with a muscular, firm, and straight look. Their ears are erect as if they are always alert and attentive. They have a life expectancy of around 13 years.

The dog is perfect for living in small areas or for apartment life because of their size. 

The personality of the Prague Ratter

Traits	Rating
Playfulness
Affection Level
Friendliness Towards Strangers
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Good for First Time Owners
Exercise Needed
Ease of Training
Watch Dog Ability
Grooming Requirements
Shedding
Cold Tolerant
Heat Tolerant

Explanations for At a Glance Ratings 

• Playfulness:  Most=5   Less=1
• Affection:  Most=5   Least=1
• Friendliness Towards Strangers:  Most=5  Least=1
• Good with Children:  Good=5   Not Good=1
• Good with Other Dogs:   Good=5   Not Good=1
• Good for First Time Owners:  Good=5  Not Good=1
• Amount of Exercise Required:  Much=5  Minimal=1
• Ease of Training:   Easy=5   Difficult=1
• Watch Dog Ability:   Excellent=5   Poor=1
• Grooming Needs:   Extensive=5  Minimal=1
• Shedding:   Heavy Shedding=5   Minimal Shedding=1
• Cold Tolerance:   Cold Well Tolerated=5    Poorly Tolerated=1
• Heat Tolerance:   Heat Well Tolerated=5   Poorly Tolerated=1

The Breed standard describes the ideal temperament of the breed.

“It is gentle, cuddly and very curious. When running, it is very fast, agile and tireless. He is friendly and affectionate to his owner and family members. He is distrustful and distant of strangers. It fits into any family that appreciates its natural elegance and sweet nature.”

The Prague Ratter is very active and lively. They are brave, have a lot of energy, and are always ready to play. In addition to this, they are very social and like to be around people. Also, they bond well with their human parents.

Ratters can learn to do tricks, follow orders, and play games very quickly. It is essential to socialize, train them, keep them active, and exercise them daily.

They are very obedient and love their family, As they grow, they become more relaxed and calm, but still stay loving and social. Separation anxiety can become a problem in this breed.

Due to their strong prey drive, they may not be the best choice for families who have other small pocket pets.  Hamsters and the like are likely to be seen as prey and won’t be safe.

A regular exercise program is a must for these active dogs and a daily walk is recommended.  Romps in the back yard are also important to keep them stimulated both physically and mentally.  

Grooming and Care

Though a prevalent practice among owners of tiny dogs, the Prague Ratter should not be carried in a handbag.  They need regular exercise. Their intelligence is the reason behind them being an excellent learner who appreciates all kinds of activities, including coursing, agility, and dancing.

The Prague Ratter does not tolerate the cold well due to its short fur, so it must be dressed appropriately during the harsh winter season. A warm sweater or winter coat will help keep your dog warm during winter walks.

Although regular grooming is not required, the smooth fur of the dog stays shiny and healthy when brushed every other day.

Since they are tiny in size, great care must be taken while playing with them. If there are children at home, care must be taken that they do not step on the dog or play rough with him.

The dog is prone to the problem of broken bones or dislocated kneecaps due to their fragile body structure. Always supervise children when playing with these small dogs.

Grooming routines for this breed including bathing regularly, brushing with a bristle brush on rubber curry brush, clipping their nails, and routinely brushing their teeth.

Health

The Prague Ratter is a healthy breed with a life span estimated at 12 to 14 years.  Since it is a rare breed, genetic issues have not always been recorded. Like all dogs, they can
get infectious diseases and parasites, so keeping up with vaccines and yearly
vet appointments are encouraged.

Bone Fractures

Since they are so tiny but active and curious, they are
prone to fractures.  While it’s nearly
impossible to protect them from everything, be sure that your home and outside
areas are puppy-proofed and have no hidden dangers that could cause harm.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation is another problem that many small,
slender dogs have.  It occurs when the
knee cap pops in and out of its socket. 
Pain and lameness follow.  Read
more about Patellar luxation.

Retained Baby Teeth

Another common issue that many tiny breeds encounter is
retained baby teeth.  If deciduous teeth
remain after the adult teeth have erupted, a veterinarian will need to pull any
remaining baby teeth.  This can be done
when you have your dog spayed or neutered.

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Pros and Cons of This Breed

Pros of the Prague Ratter

• Sweet, loving, loyal
• Smart
• Tiny size makes them less expensive to feed, easy to transport
• Relatively easy to train
• Relatively healthy breed with few genetic issues

Cons

• Very rare;  expect to wait for a new puppy
• Not likely to find these dogs easily in a shelter or rescue
• High Prey Drive means they may chase, dig
• Not well suited to families with very young children
• Not a good choice for couch potatoes;  need daily exercise