Rat breeds, types and colours: fancy rat varieties

Are there different breeds of rats?

Not in the strict sense. Fanciers in the UK and US talk about varieties, because every pet rat belongs to the same species and any two can have kittens together. A variety is one visible trait: a curly coat, low-set ears, a colour or a white pattern. One rat can carry several at once, so a "blue Berkshire dumbo rex" is a single rat with a blue colour, Berkshire markings, dumbo ears and a rex coat.

The two big clubs that write the standards are the National Fancy Rat Society (NFRS) in the UK, founded in 1976, and the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFRMA) in the US. They group varieties a little differently, but they describe the same rats. Our guide to what a fancy rat is covers where they came from.

Rat types by coat

Coat is the first thing most people notice. The AFRMA recognises standard, rex, satin and bristle coats, plus hairless rats as a body type. Here is how they compare.

Double rex and hairless rats need more care than the rest, which is why the NFRS does not allow hairless or tailless rats at its shows or on its breeders' list. It does not ban keeping them. Read our hairless rat care guide before taking one home.

Dumbo rats and other ear types

A dumbo rat has large, round ears set low on the sides of the head instead of on top. It is a recessive gene, so a rat needs two copies to show it, and two dumbos bred together only make dumbos. The trait first appeared in northern California around 1991 and the AFRMA standardised it in 1998. Dumbos come in every colour, marking and coat.

Many owners say dumbos are calmer, but the AFRMA and vet-written sources agree this has never been shown. A dumbo needs exactly the same care as a top-eared rat. Our dumbo rat guide goes into the detail.

Tailless rats

Tailless (sometimes called Manx) rats are born with no tail and often have a rounder rump. Rats do not sweat and lose heat through their bare tails, so tailless rats overheat more easily in summer. Some lines also have problems with the hips, bladder or bowel. The NFRS says most tailless rats are healthy but keeps them out of shows for these reasons. If you take one on, keep the room cool and the climbing low.

Rat colours

A self rat is one colour all over. The NFRS lists 11 self colours, and the AFRMA counts more than 40 colours overall once ticked and shaded coats are included.

Eye colour follows the colour genes. The AFRMA notes that pink-eyed rats see less sharply than rats with dark eyes, so they often sway their heads from side to side to judge distance. That is normal. A sudden head tilt or circling is not, and needs a vet.

Rat markings: hooded, Berkshire, Irish and more

Markings are patterns of white on top of the colour. Black and white rats are almost always one of these, most often hooded. The NFRS standard has 12 marked varieties.

What is the best breed of rat for a pet?

The best pet rat is a healthy, well-handled one, whatever it looks like. Colour and coat genes do not change temperament. What does change it is how the kittens were raised: rats handled every day from a young age grow into confident, friendly adults. For a first pair, we would pick standard-coated or dumbo rats with normal fur, because they need no extra heat or skin care.

The choice that really matters is sex. Does are smaller and busier, bucks are bigger and often lazier lap rats. Our guide to male or female rats compares them, and where to get pet rats explains how to find a rescue or a good breeder.

• Bright, clear eyes with no red crust around them
• A clean nose, with no sneezing, clicking or wheezing
• A smooth, full coat (unless it is a rex, double rex or hairless)
• Confident and curious when a hand goes in the cage
• At least 6 weeks old, and kept in same-sex groups from about 5 weeks
• Going home with at least one friend: rats should never live alone

What is the biggest type of pet rat?

No variety is bred for size. Size depends on sex and family line. The AFRMA gives adult does as 350 to 450 g (12 to 16 oz) and bucks as 450 to 650 g (1 lb to 1 lb 7 oz), with the odd big buck reaching about 900 g (2 lb). An adult is roughly 23 to 28 cm (9 to 11 in) long, plus a tail of 18 to 23 cm (7 to 9 in). Bucks need a cage with wider, sturdier shelves, which our best rat cage guide covers.

Breeding fancy rats and finding a breeder

If you want a particular variety, such as a dumbo or a Siamese, a registered breeder is the place to go. In the UK the NFRS keeps a breeders' list of studs and ratteries, and in the US the AFRMA and regional clubs do the same. A good breeder will tell you the ages of their oldest rats, show you the parents and keep you on their list for life.

Breeding your own is a bigger job than it looks. The RSPCA gives pregnancy as 21 to 23 days and litters of 6 to 11 kittens, and puberty starts at about 5 to 11 weeks old, so the boys must be split from the girls early. Every kitten needs a home. Plastic breeding tubs are sold for rats, but a pet rat needs a tall cage with room to climb: Wood Green's minimum for up to four rats is 80 cm wide, 50 cm deep and 80 cm high (31 × 20 × 31 in), with bars 1 cm (under half an inch) apart.

For everything else, from cages to diet, start at our pet rat care hub, and see how long rats live for what to expect over the years.