The Rat Terrier is an American dog breed with a background as a farm dog and hunting companion. The miniature size (13 inches and under as defined by the UKC) is becoming increasingly popular as a house pet and companion dog, but the miniature is still a hunting dog. The standard says 'small to medium'  and the miniature is small enough to go in and under those places where vermin like to hide. Their speed is used for controlling vermin and hunting small game such as squirrels and hares. After the 1890s, as the breed type became popular in America, Beagles, Italian Greyhounds and Manchester Terriers were bred in. Many of the foundation Rat Terriers were indistinguishable from small mixed-breed hunting dogs known as 'feists'.