German Shepherd vs Rat Terrier
Compare the German Shepherd to the Rat Terrier. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between German Shepherds and Rat Terriers.
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Breed Type
Purebred
Purebred
Allergy Friendly
No
No
Lifespan
10-14 Years
12-18 Years
Height
22-26 Inches
10-18 Inches
Weight
75-95 Pounds
10-24 Pounds
Intelligence
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Origin Country
Germany
United States
Origin Year
1899 AD
1800 AD
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Overall Friendliness
Family Friendly
Child Friendly
Pet Friendly
Stranger Friendly
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Apartment
Yes
Yes
Indoor
Yes
Yes
Small Yard
Yes
Yes
Medium Yard
Yes
Yes
Large Yard
Yes
No
Temperature Tolerance
40-85 °F
45-80 °F
Barks/Howls
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Energy Level
High
Medium
Exercise Required
High
Medium
Top Running Speed
30 MPH
27 MPH
Strength
High
Low to Medium
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Coat Maintenance
Medium to High
Low to Medium
Shedding
High
Medium
Dander
High
Medium
Drool
Medium
None
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Dominant / Alpha
No
No
Family / Pack
Yes
Yes
Independent
No
No
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Distracted Easy
No
No
Focused & Patient
Yes
Yes
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Aggression
Burrow / Digging
Chasing
Follow Commands
Fighting
Guarding
Herding
Hunting
Protection
Remove Vermin
Sled Pulling
Watch / Guardian
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Average Lifespan
10-14 Years
12-18 Years
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Coat Type
Fur
Fur
Coat Layering
Double
Single
Coat Texture
Straight
Straight
Coat Length
Short to Medium
Short
German Shepherd
Rat Terrier
