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Murcian Ratter (Ratonero murciano) or Huerta Ratter (Ratonero murciano de huerta) is a Spanish breed of dog originating from Region of Murcia. Its name reflects its main occupation: hunting rats and mice.

Origin

A local ratter has existed in the region of Murcia since the 16th or 17th century. During that era it was known as Canis villaticus ("Farm dog") and Perro de huerta ("Huerta dog"). Huerta refers to the fertile cultivation area of the region. In the 18th century, the breed was called Perro de acequias ("Dog of irrigation ditches"), which referred to the fact that it killed rats that were found in irrigation canals. It increased its popularity as a rat-catcher and a playmate of children. The local farmers used it both as a ratter and a companion, as well as a protector of the house. It caught rats and mice in stables, cellars and barns, but it was also used for rabbit and hare hunting.

The instincts of the Murcian Ratter had developed during the modern age both through crossing and inbreeding. As the result, there was a dog who had both rat-catching instinct and agility and the small size of the ancient dogs that were imported from far away. According to one theory, the breed descends from crosses between imported terriers and local dogs. Another theory states that its ancestors might have been Carthaginian, Roman or Egyptian dogs brought to the area by sailors. It might have been crossed with the Fox Terrier during the 19th and 20th century, but it is more likely that it has been crossed with the English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan) or Manchester Terrier. These kinds of dogs were also used on boats and it is likely that English tradesmen had influence on its arrival to the region. Terriers, and mixed breed terriers have long been described as great Ratter.

In the 18th century, the Murcian Ratter had developed into the form it is known today. In the late 19th and early 20th century, it was already very popular in the region. Breeding was very strict and breeders avoided crossing it with the German Pinscher and Chihuahua, as purity was much appreciated. As breeding was focused on certain families which were devoted to purity, this led to remarkable inbreeding. Due to this, its characteristics became more homogenous. It became strong, agile and fast in its work.

In the late 18th century and mid-19th century, the majority of the population was concentrated in the county of Huerta de Murcia. However, they were also popular in Vega Alta del Segura (Cieza, Abarán), Alto Guadalentín, Bajo Guadalentín (Totana, Lorca, Alhama), Valle de Ricote (Archena, Villanueva del Río Segura, Ulea), Río Mula (Campos del Río, Mula, Albudeite), Noroeste (Calasparra, Caravaca de la Cruz, Cehegín), Campo de Cartagena (Cartagena, Fuente Álamo) and Comarca del Mar.

While the region and its economic activities developed, the numbers of the breed started to decrease. In the 20th century, it was already isolated to very small regions of Murcia. Its breeding was still continued in Bajo Guadalentín and Alto Guadalentín and the highest number of individuals was found in the municipality of Lorca. It was still appreciated in local factories and mills as an efficient ratter. In other municipalities of the region, it was used as a protector of rabbits.

In 1935, Don Pedro Manzanera Cano started to rescue Ratoneros in Rambilla de San Lazaro area of Lorca. He received his first pair of dogs from the mill of Don Juan de Dios Valdés and later he got one male and three females more from the same place. After receiving a male from La Rambla Mill, Manzanera started breeding program in the neighborhood of San Jose. His dogs spread also to the neighborhoods of San Juan, Santa María, San Pedro etc. Manzanera used his dogs also for hunting rabbits and although the size of the dogs varied from 28 cm to 40 cm, the smaller size was more practical in this task.

Today, the Murcian Ratter is more popular as a pet than as a ratter or hunter. However, it is still nowadays used also as a hunter and protector in several places in Murcia.

The breed has been compared with other ratting dog breeds that originated in Spain, namely: Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz; Ratonero Murciano de Huerta; and Ratonero Valenciano. Their traits, intelligence, trainability, sociability, and behavior are all similar, but they differ only in size, color and conformation. None of these breeds is recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. In 1914 the Philadelphia Inquirer included an entry for a mixed breed ratter dog.

The association's spokesperson, María Eugenia Rivelles, said the breed was rejuvenated by a recovery program begun in 1997. This allowed the existence of pure specimens of the Murcian buzzard with genealogy or pedigree of up to three generations. DNA testing has begun. "There are currently 80 identified breeders."

They are a rare breed, but are enjoying a limited resurgence in popularity due to their sociability and family friendly disposition.

Appearance

The Murcian Ratter resembles the Miniature Pinscher and English Toy Terrier. The height of males is 35.25 cm and the height of females 32.79 cm. The males weight 6.18 kg and females 5.53 kg. The most common colors are tricolor and black-and-tan. Other colors include black, black with white markings, cinnamon, and cinnamon with white markings. Ears are erect and eyes either round or oval-shaped. The color of the eyes is either black or brown. The tail is either naturally stumpy or docked.

Health

A typical characteristic of the breed is its longevity. For example, a female named Estrella has achieved the age of 23 years. Usually the average life expectancy is 14 years or more.

See also

Spanish Ratoneros

In Spain, there are five ratoneros, so called rat-hunting dogs – all local breeds originating in a specific area:

• Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz, Andalusian Ratter
• Ratonero Mallorquín, Majorca Ratter
• Ratonero Valenciano, Valencian Ratter
• Villanuco de Las Encartaciones, Basque Ratter

References

1. ^ Elliott, Pippa. "Ratonero Murciano de Huerta" (in Spanish). dogzone.com. Retrieved July 14, 2020. However with changing farming practices the niche filled by the Murcian Ratter niche became redundant. The result being that this once popular dog is now considered a rare breed.
2. ^ "Estudio sobre el ratonero murciano: Asociación canina de la comunidad autónoma de Murcia" (PDF) (in Spanish). Asociación oficial del ratonero murciano. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
3. "Historia de la Raza Rataenero Murciano" (in Spanish). Canina Nacional ACCM. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
4. ^ Miércoles (September 30, 2009). "La asociación canina pide que el perro ratonero murciano se considere raza autóctona". La Verdad (in Spanish). Retrieved July 23, 2020. The Murcian canine association expects the Ministry of the Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs to approve the official breed standard of the native breed of the Murcian ratter dog, which will give recognition and pedigree to these small dogs that have been common in the Murcian orchard for centuries. The General Directorate of Livestock of the Government of Murcia has already recognized the Murcian terrier as an indigenous breed.
5. Gómez, Francisco (March 9, 2009). "Lorca:En busca del pedigrí del perro ratonero murciano La Asociación Canina espera que el Ministerio apruebe el estándar racial oficial de esta raza, habitual de la huerta". La Opinión de Murcia (in Spanish). Retrieved July 23, 2020.
6. Vandersteen, Francis. "Ratonero Murciano de Huerta" (in French). Milou mon Chouchou, mon ami: Toutes les races de canidés et de félidés dans le monde. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
7. Judy, Capt. Will (12 May 1954). "Dog Talks". Sheboygan Press. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
8. "Ratter Terriers". Boston Sunday Globe. 5 December 1915. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
9. "The Irish Terrier". Lowell Sun. The Sun Sporting Page. 16 June 1915. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
10. "Comparison: Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz; Ratonero Murciano de Huerta; and Ratonero Valenciano – Which one is a better dog breed for you?" (in Spanish).
11. "Terrier Collie". Philadelphia Inquirer. 5 July 1914. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
12. ^ Las Razas Españolas. Real Sociedad Canina de España. (in Spanish) Retrieved May 24th 2014.
13. History Ratting Dog . Club del Ca Rater Mallorquí. (in Spanish) Retrieved May 24th 2014.
14. Castillo Matías, J. & Mediavilla Iglesias, M. (April 2008). "5. Villanuco de las Encartaciones". Los 26 tesoros de nuestra comunidad, p. 72. Spain: La Anunciata Ikerketa. (in Spanish) retrieved May 25 2014.

Further reading

• Bailey, Luke. Murcian Ratter Training Guide Murcian Ratter Training Book (Paperback).
• Manuel, Jose; Veiga, Ferro (January 2020). Maltrato Animal (in Spanish). p. 122.
• Morgan, William. Murcian Ratter Activities Murcian Ratter Tricks, Games & Agility Includes: Murcian Ratter Beginner to Advanced Tricks, Fun Games, Agility & More (Paperback).

External links

• Ratonero murciano video

• Dog breeds originating in the Region of Murcia
• Terriers
• Rare dog breeds