Ratter (dog)

A ratter is a type of dog that has been developed for catching rats and other vermin. A typical ratter is small to medium-sized and has a short and smooth coat. Their ears are often erect, although some breeds can have semi-erect and folded ears.

"Rat terrier" redirects here. For the American breed of ratter, see Rat Terrier.

In conjunction with the American rat terrier, it was reported that one of the sports of owning them was making competitive wagers about whose dog could kill the most mice or rats within a given time. One terrier was released into a barn, and in 7 hours it killed 2501 rats.[1]

Ratter breeds

The definition for a ratter varies a little - sometimes it only includes the breeds that have the word "ratter" in their name, sometimes also pinschers and several terriers originally used for rat hunting.

Rat terriers

The term rat terrier refers to the American Rat Terrier and its descendants, as well as other terrier breeds used as ratters:

Spanish Ratoneros

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

Pinschers

Pinschers - excluding the large Doberman Pinscher used as a service dog - were originally developed to be rat catchers:

Other Ratters

References
  1. Wilcox, Bonnie, DVM; Walkowicz, Chris (1993). Rat Terrier. The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. 2 (4th ed.). Neptune, New Jersey: T.F.H. pp. 714–715. ISBN 0-86622-873-X. ISBN 0-86622-855-1.
  2. Las Razas Españolas. Real Sociedad Canina de España. Retrieved May 24th 2014.
  3. History. Club del Ca Rater Mallorquí. Retrieved May 24th 2014.
  4. Estudio Sobre el Ratonero Murciano. Asociación Canina de la Comunidad Autónoma de Murcia. Retrieved May 24th 2014.
  5. 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. Retrieved May 25th 2014.
  6. Leed, C. Deutscher Pinscher. Dogs of the World. Retrieved May 24th 2014.


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