Historically used to end rodent infestations that harmed farmers and peasants, Valencia ratters or Gos rater valencià, as it is known in the Valencian Community, were common in rural homes and farms , as well as in warehouses and silos, where they kept grain stocks. Today, they have made their mark as pets in apartments in large and small cities where they are appreciated for their lively character and their desire for adventure.They are faithful and intelligent companions if you know how to control their marked nervousness. Want to learn more about the Valencian Ratter? Well, check out this PlanetAnimal file about him!
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Origin
- Europe
- Spain
Physical Characteristics
- End
- Muscular
- Proportional
- Short ears
Size
- Little
Height
- 35-45
Adult Weight
- 3-10
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Strong
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Active
- Affectionate
Ideal for
- Children
- Apartment
- House
- Walking
- The guard
- Therapy
- Sports
Hair type
- Short
- Smooth
Origin of the Valencian Rat
" Its origin dates back to the 16th century, when they were presented as a typical animal of peasants and landowners. Over the years its name has changed, since in the 17th century it was also called gos albellons, that is to say ditch dog or, literally, small dog which has the habit of barking at those who pass or who passes before entering a house; previously it was also known as the canis villicus or orchard dog, which highlights its role in rural areas."
Due to their great skills as hunters, Valencia ratters were used to hunt rodents such as the large vole, highly prized and consumed in famous recipes such as paella.
The breed was officially recognized in 2004 by the Spanish Canine Federation, although already in 1994 it debuted in a dog show and the Spanish Ratonero Valencian Club-CERVA was then created. Currently, it is still not recognized by the International Canine Federation.
Characteristics of the Valencian Ratter
The Valence Rat breed has been classified in Group 3, Section 1: Large and Medium Sized Terriers. Despite this category, it is a small breed, since its ideal weight is between 4 and 8 kilograms for a size generally between 30 and 40 cm in males and 29 to 38 in females.
" Its body is square and bushy, with straight, slender limbs.Unfortunately, its tail is usually amputated, a practice fortunately prohibited in many countries. For more information, you can read the article Why is it bad to cut the tail and ears of dogs?."
On the other hand, and continuing the physical characteristics of the Valencia ratter, its ears are triangular, erect and quite prominent compared to its fine head. With brown, oval eyes, which do not protrude from the head, its fur can be of various colors, such as black, white, chocolate, tan or cinnamon, with tricolor specimens being common, usually black and tan with white spots. The hair is short, maximum 2 cm long, and fine.
And finally, although they look very similar, most people confuse the Valencia ratter with the Andalusian ratter. However, there is a big difference between them and that is their size, remember, the Valencian is considered a small dog while the Andalusian is a medium sized dog.
Character of Valencian Ratter
Valencia ratters are very active and restless animals that need activity and play. They are excellent guardians who will not hesitate to bark to warn you that a stranger is coming to your home. In addition, they are excellent playmates for children.
Of course, talking about the character of the Valencia ratter, we could not ignore the fact that they are very intelligent animals that have been used for guarding and hunting for a long time, but which are nowadays used for new works, such as therapy for example. Likewise, you should know that they are affectionate, curious and nervous.
Taking care of the Valencian rat rat
As with all breeds of dogs, we must be careful about the care of his eyes, his nose, his mouth, his paws and his ears. They are not a heavy shed animal, but weekly brushing will further reduce the amount of hair they can shed.In addition, getting them enough physical activity is vital. You will therefore need to take them on walks during which they can run and play. This point is particularly important for animals that live in apartments, because despite a perfect adaptation to life in an apartment, these dogs must be able to exert themselves at the risk of ending up developing behavioral problems. Remember this is a very active and high-strung breed of dog.
Another crucial facet of the care that a Valencian ratter needs is food, since it must be balanced and varied, otherwise the best dog will gain weight. Likewise, you must take him to the vet at least once a year and you must absolutely follow his vaccination schedule. As he is a small dog, he is prone to tartar build-up, so it is also advisable to brush his teeth well.
Training and education of the Valencian ratter
Due to its inquisitive nature, it is easy to capture the attention of our Valencian ratter and successfully teach it various tricks and skills. It is quite common to see dogs of this breed in Agility trials. In fact, this type of activity, along with advanced training, helps keep the Valencia Rat Rat mentally and physically stimulated. You will understand, if you do not want to have a hyperactive, stressed or anxious dog, we recommend that you make him play sports!
You have to take into account that because they are terriers and they can be territorial.
Regarding the basic education of the Valencian ratter, it will be essential to socialize it correctly to prevent the appearance of behavioral problems. Also, due to their intelligence and active nature, it won't be difficult to teach them basic commands through positive reinforcement.Remember that education based on punishment and shouting will not yield good results.
Valencian Ratter He alth
Generally, Valencian ratters are very strong dogs who enjoy iron he alth. However, as with all breeds of dogs that exist, you must be vigilant in order to detect and prevent a series of problems. Due to his short and sparse fur, caution should be exercised in cold weather as he may end up suffering from hypothermia.
The most common hereditary pathologies are hip or elbow dysplasia, von Willebrand's disease, which affects the ability of blood to clot, or hypothyroidism. To detect them in time, correct preventive medicine will be the key.
Photos of Valencian Ratter
