Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz

Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz

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The Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz (literally, the Andalusian Wine Cellars’ Ratting Dog) is a Spanish terrier. It is believed to be descended from Fox Terriers crossed with other small breeds. Other Names: Andalusian Mouse-Hunting Dog, Bodeguero Jerezano, Cazarratas, Fusterri, Perrillo Ratero, Perro de Cuadras, Perro Ratonero-Bodeguero Andaluz, Ratonera Andaluz, Ratonero-Bodeguero Andalusian.

This cross was probably during the XIX century, when many British businessmen established in Jerez to deal with Sherry. Its Spanish name reflects its main occupation: hunting rats hidden between Sherry barrels.

Ratonero-Bodeguero Andaluz roughly means Andalusian ratter of the wine cellar when translated from Spanish. This name was given in reference to the breed’s original use as a ratter in the vineyards of the area of its development. The Ratonero-Bodeguero Andaluz is almost unknown outside of Spain and remains most common in the Andalusian region.

The dog is of medium stature, with a short but abundant mostly white coat with black and/or tan markings. The head should be black and triangular with a semi-flat skull, with very dark eyes and folded ears. The tail may be docked to one quarter of its length or natural.

The Ratonero-Bodeguero Andaluz is the result of a mixture of terriers from England and Spain. During the late 1700s and early 1800s, English winemaking companies and miners brought Smooth Fox Terriers to the region of Andalusia in southern Spain. These Smooth Fox Terriers mixed with a local type of Spanish terrier known as the Raterillo Andaluz. Through selection based on an almost uniformly white coat (to better see the breed in the dark), type was relatively set by the early 1900s, although there was a later addition of English Toy Terrier to the breed. 

Despite being considered a purebred in Andalusia for a very long time, it was not until 1994 that the first breed club, the Club Nacional del Perro Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz, was formed. A few years later the Real Sociedad Canina de Espa?a (Spanish Kennel Club) recognized the breed on September 21, 2000. 

The breed is lively and brave with strong hunting instincts. It must also be friendly and according to the breed club this breed is good with children. The Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz has also been recognized by the Spanish Kennel Club.

The Ratonero-Bodeguero Andaluz is an agile, athletic breed. The height for males is 14.6 to 16.9 inches (37 to 43 cm) at the withers, with the ideal height being 15.75 inches (40 cm). Females are slightly smaller and stand 13.75 to 16.1 inches (35 to 41 cm); the ideal height for a female is 15 inches (38 cm). Both sexes weigh from 15.4 to 17.6 pounds (7 to 8 kg). The head is triangular in shape. The stop is smooth and barely pronounced. The Ratonero-Bodeguero Andaluz has a scissors bite. The eyes are small and slightly oblique. 

The triangular ears are high-set and folded. The long neck is muscular without loose skin. The body is compact but slender. Females have a more elongated appearance than males do. The chest is wide. The back is short and muscular. The feet are compact, with the hind feet being rounder than the forefeet. The tail is high set and carried erect. A large percentage of Ratonero-Bodeguero Andaluz are born with bobtails of varying length, while natural tails may be docked to a quarter length. The coat is short and smooth. The Ratonero-Bodeguero Andaluz is predominately white in color. Black and tan markings always appear on the head but may also occur around the tail and on the legs.

The Ratonero-Bodeguero Andaluz developed serving the same roles as many other terrier breeds. The first and foremost among these functions was as a tenacious ratter ridding the ports, warehouses, stables, and tanneries of its native Andalusia of all sorts of rodents. The breed is still used for this purpose and continues to show a constant alertness to any sound or movement that will let it know the time to hunt is here. 

The Ratonero-Bodeguero Andaluz in conjunction with the Galgo Espa?ol also is used to hunt both rabbits and hares and like many other terriers is used to draw foxes and badgers from their burrows. Along with the many hunting abilities possessed by the breed, it also makes a good companion because of its affectionate nature, intelligence, ability to get along well with children, and adaptability to any environment or situation.

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