Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier Comparison - Dog breed selector: Decker Giant or AM Bulldog or Pit? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier" Compare Rat Terrier and American Bulldog. Which is better: Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?

Price and Availability Size Grooming, Hair and Care Personality / Temperament Good With Health As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Rat Terrier	American Bulldog	American Pit Bull Terrier
Origins	United States	United States	United States
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Hunting Dogs	Guard Dogs	Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank	97	272	336
Reviews	1	1	7
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Decker Giant Rat Rattie Ratting Terrier American Rat Terrier	AM Bulldog American Bulldogge American Bulldoggee Old Country Bulldog AmBulldog	Pit Pit Bull Pitbull Pitty APBT
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which is more expensive?	$300-$500	$500-$600	$500-$700
Availability Which is easier to get, Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Very frequent: The Rat Terrier is quite easy to get.	Average: The American Bulldog is a commonly available dog breed.	Average: The American Pit Bull Terrier is a commonly available dog breed.

Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier Size Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which is the smallest dog, Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Small	Large	Medium
Weight Which is heavier, Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Bulldog? Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier weight comparison:	Standard: 12-35 pounds (5.5-16 kg)	Male: 70-120 pounds (32-54 kg), Female: 60-100 pounds (27-45 kg)	22-78 pounds (10-35 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Standard: 23.5 pounds (5.10.5 kg)	Male: 95 pounds (43 kg), Female: 80 pounds (36 kg)	50 pounds (22.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier? Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier height comparison:	Standard: 14-23 inches (35.5-58.5 cm)	Male: 22-28 inches (55-70 cm), Female: 20-26 inches (52-65 cm)	14-24 inches (35-60 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Standard: 18.5 inches (35.5-58.5 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm)	19 inches (47.5 cm)

Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier Grooming, Hair and Care Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier coat comparison:	Dense Shiny	Fine	Fine
Colors What are the original Rat Terrier, American Bulldog and American Pit Bull Terrier color?	Tan Brown White Blue Tricolor Black	Fawn Brown White Black	Blue Gray White Tan Brown Red Yellow Black
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier? Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier grooming comparison:	Effortless: The Rat Terrier requires minimal grooming. See more.	Effortless: The American Bulldog requires minimal grooming. See more.	Effortless: The American Pit Bull Terrier requires minimal grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier? Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or {name3 shedding:	Rat Terriers shed above average. See more.	American Bulldogs shed moderately. See more.	American Pit Bull Terriers shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.

Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier Personality / Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier? Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier behavior/temperament comparison:	Affectionate Inquisitive Loving Alert Lively	Affectionate Courageous Gentle Going Alert Energetic Loving Social	Affectionate Clownish Friendly Loyal Strong Willed Aggressive Courageous Intelligent Obedient Stubborn
Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier intelligence:	Smart: Rat Terrier's has great intelligence. See more.	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier trainability comparison.	Rat Terriers are quite easy to train. See more.	American Bulldogs are quite easy to train. See more.	American Pit Bull Terriers are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Playfulness Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier playfulness comparison:	Average: Rat Terriers, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The American Bulldog is a playful breed. See more.	The American Pit Bull Terrier is a playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	High: Rat Terriers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: American Bulldogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: American Pit Bull Terriers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier social needs comparison:	Rat Terriers need a lot of social interaction. See more.	American Bulldogs are a social breed. See more.	American Pit Bull Terriers are a social breed. See more.
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	Average: The Rat Terrier barks occasionally. See more.	Low to Average: The American Bulldog rarely barks. See more.	Average: The American Pit Bull Terrier barks occasionally. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Rat Terriers are average watchdogs. See more.	American Bulldogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	American Pit Bull Terriers are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Rat Terriers are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	American Bulldogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	American Pit Bull Terriers are average defenders. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Low 🔽 The Rat Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.	Moderate ⏺ The American Bulldog has an average chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The American Pit Bull Terrier has a high chance of biting somebody.
Bite Force Which bite is stronger: Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Rat Terrier bite force: Weak.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ American Bulldog bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ American Pit Bull Terrier bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier mouthiness comparison:	Rat Terriers have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	American Bulldogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	American Pit Bull Terriers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	The wanderlust potential of the Rat Terrier is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	American Bulldogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the American Pit Bull Terrier is strong enough to escape from home. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Rat Terriers have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	American Bulldogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. See more.	American Pit Bull Terriers have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Very house-friendly dog the Rat Terrier breed.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep American Bulldog indoors.	It is not recommended to keep the American Pit Bull Terrier breed in the home.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List
Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Rat Terriers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	American Bulldogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.	Average: American Pit Bull Terriers adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Rat Terriers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	American Bulldogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.	American Pit Bull Terriers do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.

Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier Good With Comparison

Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which dog is more friendly?	Rat Terriers are stranger-friendly dogs.	American Bulldogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	American Pit Bull Terriers are average friendly towards strangers.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Rat Terriers are usually friendly towards other pets.	American Bulldogs usually don’t get on well with other pets.	American Pit Bull Terriers do best when they’re the only pet at the family.
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Rat Terriers are very kid-friendly dogs.	American Bulldogs are kid-friendly dogs.	American Pit Bull Terriers are kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Rat Terriers are cat-friendly dogs.	American Bulldogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.	American Pit Bull Terriers are not cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Rat Terriers are dog-friendly dogs.	American Bulldogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	American Pit Bull Terriers are not dog-friendly.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	Yes Rat Terriers are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes American Bulldogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes American Pit Bull Terriers are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Rat Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No American Bulldog is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No American Pit Bull Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Rat Terriers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	American Bulldogs are usually recommended for elderly people.	American Pit Bull Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.

Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier Health Comparison

Health Issues Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier health comparison. Which is the healthier: Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	The Rat Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	American Bulldogs tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.	American Pit Bull Terriers tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier health problems comparison:	Eye Problems Heart Problems Hip Dysplasia Legg-perthes Disease Patellar Luxation	Allergies Cancer Cherry Eye Ectropion Elbow Dysplasia Entropion Hip Dysplasia	Demodectic Mange Hip Dysplasia Skin Allergies
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The Rat Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Frequent The American Bulldog should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.	Frequent The American Pit Bull Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier lifespan comparison. How long do Rat Terrier, American Bulldog and American Pit Bull Terrier breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	14-18 years The average lifespan of Rat Terrier: 16 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of American Bulldog: 11 years	10-14 years The average lifespan of American Pit Bull Terrier: 12 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Energy Level Who has more energy a Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier? Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier energy level comparison:	Rat Terriers are high-energy dogs.	American Bulldogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	American Pit Bull Terriers have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Rat Terriers have an average exercise need.	American Bulldogs have an average exercise need.	American Pit Bull Terriers have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	Rat Terriers don't need too much sleep.	American Bulldogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot.	American Pit Bull Terriers are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot
Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier?	No data available	3 to 5 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals.	Recommended daily amount: 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier weight gain potential comparison:	Average: The Rat Terrier has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Low to Average: The American Bulldog has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The American Pit Bull Terrier has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	Prefers warm weather Dogs that prefer warm weather conditions are typically breeds that were originally bred in warmer climates. See more.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	Medium ⏺ The Rat Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The American Bulldog has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The American Pit Bull Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Rat Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The American Bulldog drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. See more.	The American Pit Bull Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Rat Terrier or American Bulldog or American Pit Bull Terrier? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier?	Not really Rat Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really American Bulldog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really American Pit Bull Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Rat Terrier and American Bulldog and American Pit Bull Terrier have?	5-7 puppies	7-14 puppies	5-8 puppies
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Rat Terrier vs American Bulldog vs American Pit Bull Terrier Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2013 as a Terrier breed.	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Not recognized by FCI.	Not recognized by FCI.	Not recognized by FCI.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club	American Canine Registry America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club Backwoods Bulldog Club Animal Research Foundation American Rare Breed Association American Bulldog Association National American Bulldog Association John D Johnson Bulldog Registry American Bulldog Club Of Canada All American Bulldog Club	American Canine Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club United Kennel Club Backwoods Bulldog Club

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