Valencian Ratter

The terror of rodents everywhere: small, rustic, cheerful, bold, and highly intelligent. The Gos Rater Valencià (or Valencian Ratter) hails from Valencia, Spain, where it emerged as a pest hunter in wine cellars and orchards. Besides being a great hunter thanks to its obsession with small prey, it's also a versatile, loyal adventure companion. If you want to get to know this fun-loving breed in depth, keep reading.

Origin and History

The Valencian Ratter first won over farmers and growers in the eastern Spanish region by keeping stables and wine cellars free of rats. It also alerted its owners to intruders nearby, and in lean times, its catches (rats, water voles, rice-field rodents, rabbits) were even added to paellas around the Albufera wetlands.

It's been known as the Ratador Valencià, Gos Ratoner Valencià, or Rateret, names that clearly describe its main job. Its heyday coincided with the rise of orange farming in the 19th century, when demand for pest hunters was at its peak.

Several theories exist about its origin. The most widespread suggests crosses between native Valencian dogs and English terriers like the Fox Terrier or Toy Terrier. Experts, however, question this idea, since English dogs weren't as influential a presence along the eastern Spanish coast. What's more, the Valencian Ratter isn't a fox hunter or a den terrier.

Other theories link it to ancient Egyptian breeds or to the Ratonero Mallorquín of the Balearic Islands. The truth is its exact evolution remains a mystery, though its role as a pest hunter is well documented from the last third of the 19th century onward.

Characteristics of the Valencian Ratter

Small and full of energy, this dog resembles the Andalusian Rat-Hunting Dog, though there are important differences between the two breeds. It's an athletic, muscular dog built for speed and agility.

Height: Males 30 to 40 cm (36 cm ideal); females 29 to 38 cm (33 cm ideal). Weight: 4 to 8 kg in both males and females. Coat: Short, fine, smooth, and glossy. Predominant colors: tricolor (black and tan with white), white with black or brown patches. Temperament: Lively, cheerful, intelligent, and a bit high-strung. Suited for both hunting and companionship. Health: Sturdy and hardy, with no known genetic issues. Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years.

Differences From the Andalusian Rat-Hunting Dog

Although at a glance they might look like twins, the Valencian Ratter and the Andalusian Rat-Hunting Dog are separate breeds with their own traits that clearly set them apart. Many people mix up these small hunters, but once you know their particular features, telling them apart is easy.

• Size: The Valencian Ratter is smaller and taller than it is long, while the Andalusian Rat-Hunting Dog has more square proportions.
• Head: The Valencian Ratter's head is more streamlined, and its ears lack the folded tips typical of the Andalusian Rat-Hunting Dog.
• Build: The Valencian Ratter is lighter and more athletic, built for speed; the Andalusian Rat-Hunting Dog is sturdier.
• Colors: Although both can be tricolor, the patterns vary slightly between the two breeds.

If you're interested in the regional variants of these hunting dogs, you can explore the different types of Bodeguero dogs found in Spain.

Morphology and Physical Appearance

This is a small dog with a lean, lightly built frame. Its head is well proportioned to its body, with parallel cranial-facial axes and a well-defined stop.

It has a narrow face with a small, black nose, thin lips, and medium-sized, oval, chestnut-colored eyes. Its ears are erect, triangular, about 10 cm long, and set high on the head. The neck is cylindrical, vigorous, and agile, with well-developed muscle and no dewlap.

The torso has a rectangular look with firm, well-defined musculature. The topline is straight, with a short, slightly sloping croup. The chest is wide, muscular, and strong, with well-sprung ribs and a tucked-up belly.

The front legs are highly muscular and well aligned, with straight, parallel paws. The hind legs are equally powerful, with pronounced angulation that allows the dog to jump impressive distances. The tail is often docked, though some dogs keep the first vertebra intact. This practice is unnecessary and banned in many countries.

Temperament and Character

Its temperament stands out for being very cheerful, always alert to everything happening around it. It was historically a great watchdog when needed, barking to warn of intruders. It isn't overly fond of strangers and tends to be wary of them, but shows plenty of affection and eagerness with its family.

It's cheerful, active, brave, bold, highly intelligent, and a bit high-strung. Loyal, affectionate, and deeply attached to its owner, but wary of strangers. It's always alert and watchful, keeping an eye out for any rodent or pest that might show up.

It has a strong hunting instinct but also makes an excellent family companion. It's patient and playful with children, and gets along well with other dogs when socialized from puppyhood. Its protective nature makes it a good watchdog too.

Living Together and Training

Being a high-strung, active breed, it needs equally active owners who can help it burn off its energy. It's a good idea to take it out to the countryside often so it can run freely, along with intense daily play sessions.

It excels at agility trials thanks to its speed, agility, and trainability, which keeps it well engaged mentally. It doesn't handle solitude well and prefers being around its family. It makes a good watchdog thanks to its readiness to bark and alert, though it's worth training it from puppyhood so this doesn't become a nuisance.

It makes an excellent playmate for children. Its grooming is very simple, since it doesn't shed much. You'll need to regularly check its eyes, nose, mouth, paws, and ears.

Health and Care

No breed-specific diseases are known. Generally speaking, these dogs are very sturdy with rock-solid health. That said, since their coat is short and thin, care is needed in cold weather, as the dog will be more exposed to hypothermia.

It's recommended to provide proper warm clothing during winter and to keep up with regular veterinary check-ups. Selecting confirmed breeding stock (whose parents hold breed recognition and have been certified fit for breeding, with no disqualifying defects) is essential for ensuring the health of the puppies.

Getting One and Price

If you're looking for a puppy, your best bet is to go to hobbyist breeders who use confirmed breeding stock. The approximate price of a puppy is around 300 euros, though it can vary depending on the kennel, the bloodline, and the quality of the dog.

Before buying, check that the breeder has documentation for the parents, that health tests have been carried out, and that the puppies are properly socialized. A good breeder will give you health guarantees and ongoing advice on caring for your dog. This breed is part of our country's canine heritage, just like other Spanish dog breeds that deserve to be known and preserved.

Conclusion

This little Valencian dog is much more than a rat hunter. It combines its hunting instinct with unwavering loyalty to its family, making it an ideal companion for active people who can meet its exercise and mental stimulation needs. Although it needs firm training from puppyhood and early socialization, its quick learning ability and eagerness to please make it a rewarding dog to train. If you're looking for a small dog with a big personality, capable of being a hunter, a watchdog, and a family companion all at once, it's well worth your consideration.