Breed comparison
Papillon vs Rat Terrier
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Papillon
Rat Terrier5Affection with family5
5Good with young children5
3Good with other dogs3
5Openness to strangers5
5Playfulness5
4Energy level4
5Trainability5
5Mental stimulation needs5
5Adaptability4
4Watchdog / protective4
5Barking3
3Shedding3
2Coat grooming2
1Drooling1
The biggest differences
- Barking: the Papillon scores 5 out of 5, the Rat Terrier 3.
They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, good with other dogs, openness to strangers, playfulness, energy level.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Papillon if you live in a smaller home or move often. Pick the Rat Terrier if you want a quieter dog.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.