When it comes to catching mice, the first thing everyone thinks of is definitely cats. This is such a stereotypical image; if cats don’t catch mice, what else can they do?! If you mention dogs catching mice, everyone will surely think of a Chinese proverb, "Dog catching mice"—meddling in others' business. But actually, in many places, dogs are the key to solving rodent problems. Some specific dog breeds are specially used to control rodent numbers.
　　These dog breeds mostly belong to different types of terriers. People use them to catch pests and other small animals living underground. These dogs have small bodies and tremendous energy; they can dig holes quickly to catch their prey. Terriers also have relatively thick tails, so when necessary, the owner can hold their tail to pull them out of the hole. Now let’s take a look at the dog world's top 5 mouse-catching experts.
　　Top5. Jack Russell Terrier
　　The Jack Russell Terrier is considered one of the best rat-catching dogs. Originating from a fox hunting breed, capturing small animals like mice and voles is their instinct. The clever dog Milo, smarter than humans, from Jim Carrey's 1994 movie "The Mask" is a Jack Russell Terrier.

Jack Russell Terrier

　　Top4. Norfolk Terrier
　　The Norfolk Terrier comes from the UK and is one of the smallest working dog breeds. The small size helps in catching prey, and they are renowned mouse catchers. Though small, they have enough courage and are called “perfect energetic animals of the wild.”

Norfolk Terrier

　　Top3. Yorkshire Terrier
　　The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy-sized small dog and is also quite common in our country. But don’t be fooled by their size; this body type is a big advantage in mouse catching. Yorkshire Terriers are very smart and lively but require appropriate training to become ideal companion dogs.

Yorkshire Terrier

　　Top2. Cairn Terrier
　　The Cairn Terrier is an ancient terrier breed with a several-hundred-year history of mouse catching. The word Cairn means stone pile; the Cairn Terrier is good at tracking mice and foxes living in stone piles, using their small size to pull prey out of rocky dens, and sometimes even chasing fierce European cats.

Cairn Terrier

　　Top1. Rat Terrier
　　True to their name, this dog is a perfect mouse hunter. They are small, active, and also excellent companion dogs. Their original purpose was to participate in rat-catching competitions. If you live in a place with a yard, be prepared to find various holes because Rat Terriers love digging holes; it’s their nature.

Rat Terrier