Overview
The Pražský Krysařík, or Prague Ratter, is a tiny Czech breed with a history in Bohemian castles as a ratter and a lapdog. It looks like a small Miniature Pinscher but is lighter and finer, usually black and tan, with a smooth coat and a quick, alert manner. Most weigh around two kilos.
For a breed this small it is remarkably active and bold. Ratters are quick, curious and attached to their owners, and they have no idea how little they are. Walking one is mainly a matter of protecting it.
Exercise and walking needs
Thirty to forty minutes a day is enough, ideally in two short outings. They enjoy a trot and a sniff and will happily keep up with a normal walking pace for a while, but short legs tire on long routes.
Indoor games and a bit of trick training fill in on bad weather days. This is a dog that should not be out for long in cold rain.
On the walk
- Harness: Always a harness, never a collar. The neck and throat are delicate and a jerk from a lead can cause real harm.
- Other dogs: The biggest risk. Big dogs can injure a Ratter by accident in play. Keep it away from unknown dogs and never in a boisterous group.
- Cold: Thin coat and tiny body. A jumper or coat from early autumn, and a short walk in frost.
- Underfoot: Glass, grit salt and hot pavements all matter more to a two kilo dog. Choose clean paths and check the pads.
- Recall: Often good; they stick close. Still, a dog this size disappears into grass, so a light line is wise in open spaces.
Tips for professional walkers
- Carry it across busy roads and through crowds; the risk of being stepped on is real.
- Keep treats tiny. A couple of biscuits is a meal for this dog.
- Walk alone or with calm, small dogs only.
- Watch for shivering and head home when you see it.
What to ask the owner
- Any history of knee, trachea or dental trouble, and does the vet have any limits?
- Which harness and coat does the dog wear, and what weather should keep it indoors?
- Is the dog ever carried on walks, and does it mind?