Overall Rat Terrier grooming doesn't take much work--and likewise, maintaining these little dogs' short, dense coats isn't very time-consuming. The coats shed moderately most of the time, and heavier in the spring and fall (and for females, heavier shedding happens after heat cycles or giving birth). Brushing once or twice per week with a bristle brush or grooming glove will be fine for most of the year; during a shedding period, daily brushing will be necessary (along with the optional use of a shedding blade). And the brushing process isn't complicated: wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, then go through the coat section by section with the brush or glove, moving in the direction of hair growth.

Baths are only needed every 2-3 months, unless of course your Rat Terrier gets especially dirty or stinky. Be sure to use canine shampoo, and to rinse the coat completely. Not doing both these things can irritate the dog's skin.

The Rat Terrier's coat is too short to be cut or clipped into any proper hairstyle other than natural--so haircuts aren't required at all.

And while owners can easily learn all Rat Terrier grooming needs on their own, it's a good idea to take these dogs to a professional groomer at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a Rat Terrier at home.

Maintaining these dogs' coats will require the use of some Rat Terrier grooming tools too: a bristle brush or grooming glove (and possibly a shedding blade) and canine shampoo will all be great to have.

Rat Terriers' short coats just aren't long enough to sport any proper hairstyles.

That said, some think shaving a Rat Terrier coat will reduce shedding. This simply isn't the case. Unless a Rat Terrier is shaved bald--which is never a good idea!--some coat remains, and the dog still sheds. A shaved Rat Terrier will be highly susceptible to sunburn and heatstroke, and the dog will get cold very easily. Plus, the coat will be uneven (and will even change texture) once it does grow back.

So to any owners considering shaving their Rat Terriers: put those clippers away!

In addition to their coats, Rat Terriers need regular maintenance in the following areas:

• Teeth: Just like a human's, Rat Terrier teeth need regular brushing to avoid the buildup of plaque and tartar, and to minimize that Rat Terrier bad breath! Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week with a regular toothbrush--but be sure to use canine toothpaste, as the kind made for humans can make dogs sick if they swallow it.
• Ears: If your Rat Terrier's ears aren't cleaned periodically, they can collect dirt and debris and even get infected--which could lead to hearing loss. Clean the dog's ears monthly with canine ear cleaning solution. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, but the usual process is to squirt some solution into the ear canal, bend the outer ear flap down, and massage it for a few seconds to work in the liquid. The dog will probably shake its head vigorously--this is normal--then use a cotton ball (never a Q-Tip!) to wipe out any remaining solution.
• Nails: If Rat Terrier nails click on hard surfaces, it's time for a trim. Use standard nail clippers to cut the nails as close to the toes as possible. Take care not to cut into the nail's quick (the blood vessel running through it), though, as doing so can make the nail bleed and be painful.
• Paw Pads: Your Rat Terrier's paw pads can become dry and cracked, especially if the dog walks a lot on hot asphalt or snow and ice. Apply canine paw pad moisturizer to the pads weekly to keep them soft and moist.