Prazsky Krysariks, or Prague Ratters, are one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. However, don’t let their small size fool you. These dogs are full of personality and shine when they’re the center of attention. They’re fun companion dogs that you can carry around with you wherever you go.

Even though Prazsky Krysariks have easygoing personalities, they still have specific care needs to ensure they live happy and healthy lives. Being well-informed about their temperament and lifestyle needs will help you determine if they’re a compatible dog breed for you.

Breed Overview

Even though many Americans may not be familiar with Prazsky Krysariks, these dogs have actually been around for centuries. They’re Czech natives, but you can find a few active breeders in the US. Prazsky Krysariks are known for their intelligent and playful personalities, and they can be gentle and docile lap dogs. After exercising and playing a few fun games, they’ll be more than happy to snuggle and enjoy a nice afternoon nap with you.

Prazsky Krysarik Breed Characteristics

Prazsky Krysarik Puppies

It’s pretty rare to come across purebred Prazsky Krysarik puppies in the US, and it can be difficult to find breeders near you. You may be able to find one at your local animal shelter, but it’s more likely you’ll find mixed-breed dogs that have Prazsky Krysarik in their ancestry.

If you’re interested in finding a purebred Prazsky Krysarik puppy, it’s best to start your search with the Prague Ratter Club of America. It has a list of registered Prazsky Krysarik breeders, and you can see if they have any puppies available or if they’re expecting a litter of puppies.

Prazsky Krysarik puppies are extremely small and can usually fit in the palm of your hand. Despite their small size, they can be quite a handful. They’re very active, playful, and curious, so it’s important to ensure your home is thoroughly puppy proofed. They’re also prone to injuries due to their small size, so it’s important to supervise them whenever they’re playing.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Prazsky Krysarik 🧠

Prazsky Krysariks are family dogs and companion dogs. They love spending time with their favorite people and don’t do well when they’re left home alone for long hours. They also don’t have a tendency to bark, and they’re often respectful apartment neighbors. Because of their small size and quiet nature, Prazsky Krysariks can often be found accompanying their owners everywhere and minding their own business when they’re inside their doggy tote bags.

Prazsky Krysariks are a considerable breed for first-time dog owners because they’re relatively easy to train. Their attentiveness, matched with their intelligence, makes them quite trainable. They’re also eager to please and respond very well to positive training styles.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Prazsky Krysariks make wonderful family dogs. They’re very loyal and affectionate, and they love to play. Even though they’re small, they like being a part of the action and will appreciate being included in family activities. Prazsky Krysariks are usually good with children and make fun playmates. However, children must be careful and gentle with these dogs because they can get hurt easily from some roughhousing.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Prazsky Krysariks typically adjust well to living with other pets. However, they were originally bred to be ratters, so it’s not uncommon for them to have a strong prey drive. They may want to chase squirrels and other small animals they encounter on their walks, and they may never be fully trusted with small pets in the home.

With early socialization, Prazsky Krysariks can live harmoniously with other dogs. However, these dogs tend to prefer human companionship above all else and are content being the only dog in the home.

Things to Know When Owning a Prazsky Krysarik

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

A dog’s diet will vary depending on their age, breed, activity level, and size. Small dogs must get proper nutrition daily because they can become hypoglycemic if they’re not eating consistently.

The best way to ensure your dog is getting their nutritional needs met is to consult your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help you determine how much food your dog needs to eat in a day and can also recommend specific dog food brands.

In general, Prazsky Krysariks will benefit the most from eating high-quality dog food that’s specifically formulated for small dog breeds. As a Prazsky Krysarik gets older, you may want to start looking into bone and joint supplements.

Exercise 🐕

Prazsky Krysariks are active dogs that benefit from having at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. They’ll enjoy going on walks around the neighborhood or running around in a fenced yard. Prazsky Krysariks can get by missing a walk every once in a while, but you must make sure to play with them at home so that they can expend any pent-up energy.

Training 🎾

Prazsky Krysariks are fairly easy to train. They’re eager to please their owners and can quickly pick up on new obedience training commands. Because these dogs love having fun, they seem to learn the best when training sessions are short, frequent, and fun. They respond very well to positive reinforcement but may not always be food motivated. Fortunately, they’ll appreciate receiving a lot of praise and encouragement and find motivation through them.

While Prazsky Krysariks are very trainable, they may experience particular challenges with potty training. They have to be let out more frequently because they can’t hold their bladder as easily as larger dogs. So, you can expect potty training a Prazsky Krysarik to require more time and patience than the norm.

Grooming ✂️

A Prazsky Krysarik can either have a short coat or a long coat. Dogs with short coats require minimal grooming. You can brush through their coat with a bristle brush every few days to remove loose and dead hairs. Prazsky Krysariks with longer coats will benefit from getting brushed every few days with a pin brush or slicker brush sized for small dogs. This will prevent mats and tangles from forming on their coats. Both short-haired and long-haired Prazsky Krysariks are moderate shedders and brushing them regularly can reduce shedding around the house.

Prazsky Krysariks don’t typically require frequent baths. They’re usually fine with getting a bath every 5 to 8 weeks, and the frequency of baths will vary from dog to dog. Just keep in mind that overbathing your dog can end up drying out and irritating their skin, and this can lead to skin and coat issues.

It’s also important to note that Prazsky Krysariks are prone to tartar buildup, so a dental hygiene routine is a must. Brushing their teeth is one of the most effective ways to fight plaque and tartar. You can also incorporate dental chews and dog mouthwashes as supplements to toothbrushing.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Prazsky Krysariks are generally healthy dogs, but they can have a higher risk of developing certain health conditions as they age, including patellar luxation and periodontitis. It’s important to keep their bone and joint health in mind, as patellar luxation can contribute to arthritic joint pain. Along with adding bone and joint supplements to their diet, Prazsky Krysarik owners usually end up installing dog steps or ramps by their furniture to help older dogs get to places more easily.

Male vs Female

Male Prazsky Krysariks can be slightly larger than females. There are no distinct differences in temperament or personality between male and female Prazsky Krysariks. You may notice more differences in behavior between dogs that have been spayed or neutered and those who haven’t. Spayed and neutered dogs are less likely to display mating behaviors, including increased aggression, frequent urination, and clinginess.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Prazsky Krysarik

1. Prazsky Krysariks are known to be an old dog breed.

The first mentions of Prazsky Krysariks can be found in documents dating back to the 8^th and 9^th centuries. Prazsky Krysariks are commonly acknowledged as one of the oldest Czech dog breeds. They were originally bred to be ratters, but they eventually became favored as non-utilitarian companion dogs.

2. Prazsky Krysariks regained popularity in the 1980s.

Prazsky Krysariks used to be prized by nobles and royalty. However, they became common pets among the working class with the decline of the Czech state. The World Wars saw a general decline in dog breeding, and Prazsky Krysariks became less common. Their popularity also waned with the emergence of the Miniature Pinscher.

Prazsky Krysariks became popular again in the 1980s when Czech breeders started to invest in the breed again. International breeders also started to import Prazsky Krysariks for their own breeding programs. Today, Prazsky Krysariks remain rare in the US, but they’re much more common in Eastern European countries.

3. Prazsky Krysariks aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club.

While the Prague Ratter Club of America exists, the Prazsky Krysarik isn’t a breed that’s officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, the breed was acknowledged by the International Canine Federation (FCI) in 2019, and they often compete in shows held in the Czech Republic, Scandinavia, and Slovakia.

Final Thoughts

Prazsky Krysariks may be small in size, but they’re bold and spunky dogs that are capable of making strong impressions. They’re wonderful companion dogs that are suitable for families with children and for apartment living. They’re also viable candidates for first-time dog owners because they’re easy to train and are very affectionate. It’s just important to remember that these dogs love human companionship and can get stressed out if they’re home alone for too long.

Overall, Prazsky Krysariks are loving and loyal companions. These tiny dogs have a lot of love to give and will quickly become your best friend that’s ready to accompany you everywhere you go.

Featured Image Credit: Labrador Photo Video, Shutterstock