Discover Everything About Prague Rattler
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Prague Rattler overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
As an extremely small toy breed, the Prager Rattler faces typical miniaturization-related health issues. Painful patellar luxation and neurological risks such as syringomyelia (Arnold-Chiari-like syndrome) require very careful breeding selection. Before purchasing, you should also ensure that hereditary heart conditions have been ruled out through appropriate health tests of the parent dogs.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Height
20–24 cm
Weight
1–4 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Smooth, short, without undercoat
- Origin: Czech Republic
Typical coat colors
- Black
- tan
- brown
- blue
- purple
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Prague Rattler, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Prague Rattler right for you?
The Prager Rattler is a lightning-fast, highly intelligent miniature ratter—originally bred to keep Bohemian farms free of rodents. Don't let his three kilos fool you: beneath that delicate frame beats the courageous heart of a true working dog.
Perfect for you if:
- You are looking for a tiny companion that you can still challenge like a big dog—this little hunter loves scent work or trick training.
- You have time for active walks in nature where he can burn off his nimble energy, rather than just walking around the block.
- You appreciate a dog that forms an extremely close bond with its owner and prefers to keep its distance from strangers at first.
- You lead with love but consistency, because even a dog of this size needs clear rules to prevent him from becoming a stressed-out control freak.
Less ideal if:
- You expect a passive lap dog—his heritage as a ratter means he reacts to movement stimuli in a flash and has a strong prey drive.
- You live in a building with thin walls—he is vigilant and will quickly announce unusual noises at the door with a high-pitched bark.
- You have very small, boisterous children at home who cannot yet respect the physical boundaries of this delicate but strong-willed dog.
The real vibes check
A Prager Rattler is not a handbag accessory—he is a sports car in the size of a Matchbox toy. If you treat him like a full-fledged dog, you get an untiring, brave partner; if you treat him like a toy, he will become nervous and yappy. He wants to conquer the world, preferably right by your side.
Breed Profile
The Prague Rattler, also known as Prazsky Krysarik, is a small but powerful dog. Despite his small size, he has solid and well-proportioned musculature that emphasizes his athletic physique. Its dark, expressive eyes and large, erect ears give it an alert and lively appearance. Its coat is short, smooth and close-fitting, with no undercoat, making it less suitable for allergy sufferers. There are no differences between show and performance lines in this breed as the Prague Rattler is bred primarily as a companion dog. The Prague Rattler belongs to FCI Group 9, companion and companion dogs.
| Height | 20 - 23 cm (Female), 20 - 24 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 1 - 3 kg (Female), 2 - 4 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 14 years |
| Character | Lively, alert, affectionate |
| Coat | Smooth, short, without undercoat |
| Coat Color | Black and tan, brown and tan, blue and tan, purple and tan |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € |
History
The Prague Rattler comes from the Czech Republic and has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. This breed was originally used to hunt rats in homes and fields, where it was valued for its speed and agility. Over time, the Prague Rattler became more and more of a companion dog, especially at the royal court in Prague. Unfortunately, the two world wars almost led to the breed becoming extinct. It was only in the 1980s that Czech breeders began to systematically breed the Prague Rattler again, and since 1990 it has been officially recognized as a separate breed.
The Prague Rattler was originally used to combat rats in households and stables and later developed into a companion dog.
Czech Republic
1300
Character & Temperament
The Prague Rattler is a small dog with a big heart. His lively and open-minded temperament coupled with his affectionate nature makes him a wonderful companion. He loves to cuddle and play with his caregiver and is often very people-oriented and playful. Although it can be easily kept in the city due to its small size, its original purpose as a rat hunter should not be underestimated. The Prague Rattler is naturally alert and can also be a good watchdog. Therefore, he tends to be a bit reserved towards strangers. As a former rat hunter, the Prague Rattler has a certain hunting instinct, which can sometimes manifest itself in the form of play and prey-catching behavior. This should be taken into account when keeping and employing animals. As a rule, the Prague Rattler can easily learn to stay alone as long as he is well exercised and gets enough mental and physical activity. He tends to form a strong bond with his caregiver and can be a bit clingy under certain circumstances. Nevertheless, he is characterized by his independence and self-reliance. The Prague Rattler is a small but energetic dog. He loves to play and exercise and therefore needs regular physical and mental stimulation. Despite his small size, he is an active dog and needs a lot of exercise. He loves to play and romp with his owner, often showing his intelligence and ability to learn quickly. It is important to keep him mentally occupied as well, otherwise he may tend to get bored and exhibit unwanted behavior. Raising the Prague Rattler can be a challenge due to his intelligent and sometimes stubborn personality. However, he responds well to loving and consistent training and quickly learns what is expected of him. It is important to set clear rules and boundaries right from the start and to enforce them consistently. Because of its hunting history, the Prague Rattler can also be a bit stubborn. Therefore, patience and understanding are required when training this small but courageous dog. It is important to socialize the Prague Rattler early and get him used to different people, animals and environments to promote a balanced and confident dog. Overall, the Prague Rattler is a wonderful companion dog that takes the hearts of its owners by storm with its charming personality and lively nature. His small size and adaptability make him well suited to city life, but he still needs plenty of exercise and activity to be happy and balanced. With the right training and management, the Prague Rattler will become a loyal and loving companion that will bring its owner a lot of joy.
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Prague Rattler was originally bred in the Royal Palace of Czechoslovakia? Yes, despite its small size, this dog has royal heritage and was once the royal family's preferred companion!
What Awaits You
The Prague Ratter is a lively and alert companion. These small dogs are intelligent and require consistent training as well as sufficient activity. They are well suited as family dogs but are also excellent guard dogs due to their strong protective instinct. Despite their size, they are brave and show a lot of energy in everyday life.
Housing & Care
The Prague Rattler is an ideal city dog. He does well with indoor living as long as he gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. He is an adaptable dog that gets along well in both the country and the city. The Prague Rattler is also well suited for families with older children, but due to its small size it may be advisable to supervise interactions with very young children. In terms of other pets, if socialized from an early age, Prague Rattlers can live well with cats and other dogs.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride. | Patient with children |
| Dog Friendly Usually gets on fine with other dogs. | Generally tolerant |
| City Friendly Small space, noise, lots of people — no problem at all. | Ideal city dog |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
The Prague Rattler is an intelligent, energetic dog that wants to play an active role in his life. He needs regular mental and physical stimulation to be happy and balanced. His need for activity and his quick comprehension make him a good candidate for various dog sports such as agility or obedience. However, it is important not to over-busy him as this can lead to stress and behavioral problems. The Prague Rattler has a natural inclination to hunt, which can lead to him becoming a "ball junkie." if he is not properly trained. It is important to offer him alternatives to chasing the ball and teach him to control his impulses. Frustration tolerance is an important skill that the Prague Rattler should learn in order to be happy and well-adjusted.
Nutrition & Care
The Prague Rattler is a small dog with a high metabolism, meaning it requires a nutrient-dense, balanced diet to meet its energy needs. Your Prague Rattler's diet should include high-quality protein, as well as a balanced mix of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. It is important to control the amount of food to avoid obesity, which can lead to health problems. In terms of care, the Prague Rattler is an easy dog to care for. His short, smooth coat has no undercoat and sheds little, which can make him a good choice for allergy sufferers. He copes well with the climate in Germany, but should wear a dog coat in extremely cold temperatures.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding Barely any shedding — occasional vacuuming is enough. | Minimal |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Elevated risks
Health grade
As an extremely small toy breed, the Prager Rattler faces typical miniaturization-related health issues. Painful patellar luxation and neurological risks such as syringomyelia (Arnold-Chiari-like syndrome) require very careful breeding selection. Before purchasing, you should also ensure that hereditary heart conditions have been ruled out through appropriate health tests of the parent dogs.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should focus on joint-friendly exercise, keep a close eye on his teeth—especially during the teething phase—and schedule regular eye check-ups.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' knees and eyes examined, pay attention to a healthy bite, and strictly avoid unhealthy miniaturization.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
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Frequently asked questions about the Prague Rattler
Is a Prague Rattler the right dog for me?
The Prague Rattler is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Prague Rattler live?
The average life expectancy of a Prague Rattler is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Prague Rattler need?
Prague Rattler grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Prague Rattler good for families with children?
The Prague Rattler can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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