Prague Ratter

Origin & history

The Prague Ratter, or Prazsky Krysarik, comes from Bohemia in what is now the Czech Republic, where small ratting dogs have been kept for many centuries. The breed is wrapped up in Czech folklore and was said to have been present at the tables of Bohemian kings, valued both as a vermin catcher and as a tiny companion. Its numbers dwindled badly and the breed nearly vanished, before Czech and Slovak enthusiasts revived it from the 1980s using the surviving dogs. It is sometimes confused with the Miniature Pinscher but is a separate, smaller breed with its own history. It is not currently recognised by the ANKC and is rare in Australia, so anyone seeking one will likely deal with a small number of specialist breeders or import.

Temperament

For such a small dog the Prague Ratter has a big, confident personality. It is devoted to its people and thrives on close contact, often picking one favourite while still being affectionate with the wider family. It is naturally alert and will sound off at the door, which makes it a tidy little watchdog but means barking needs managing early. With gentle, older children it is a fun companion, but it is too small and breakable for rough handling and is better suited to calmer households. It can be wary of strangers and benefits a lot from early, positive socialisation so the boldness does not tip into nervy snappiness. It is bright and trainable with reward-based methods, though house-training a toy breed takes patience. The retained ratting instinct means it may chase small animals. Its key need is company and consistent, kind boundaries.

Appearance

One of the smallest breeds in the world, standing roughly 20 to 23 cm at the shoulder and usually weighing only about 1.5 to 3.5 kg. It is a finely built, square little dog with a clear pear-shaped head, large upright ears and dark, lively eyes. The most common coat is short and smooth, though a longer-coated variety also exists. Recognised colours include black and tan, brown and tan, blue and tan, and lilac and tan, with the tan markings in the usual toy-breed pattern. For all the delicacy it should look like a proper little dog, not a fragile ornament.

Suitability

This breed is well suited to apartment and unit living and to owners who want a small dog that is genuinely portable and people-focused. It fits singles, couples and older owners particularly well, and can work for a sensible first-time owner who understands toy-breed fragility and the need for early socialisation. It is best in a calmer home rather than one with very young or rowdy children. The Prague Ratter wants company and does not enjoy being left alone for long stretches, so it suits households where someone is about much of the day. In the Australian climate the thin coat and tiny body mean it feels the cold and needs a coat in winter, while in summer it should have shade and water and be kept out of extreme heat.

Health

Prague Ratters generally live a long time, often around 12 to 15 years and sometimes more. As a toy breed the main concerns are mechanical and dental. Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is the best-known issue and can range from mild to needing surgery. The breed can also be affected by inherited eye problems such as lens luxation and cataracts, and the small jaw means crowded teeth, early tartar and gum disease, so daily dental care matters. Fragile bones mean fractures from jumps and falls are a real risk in such a light dog. Because the breed is uncommon, ask breeders directly what they screen for: look for breeders who check knees and eyes, choose against early dental disease, and are open about what has appeared in their lines. Buy from someone breeding for sound temperament and structure, not just tiny size.