The Ratonero Valenciano is a rare breed seeking formal FCI recognition. Recognized by the Royal Canine Society of Spain, and with an active club in that country, they are well on their way. This little terrier was created to dispatch vermin and serve as a watchdog while also providing companionship to his owners. His nimbleness, brave nature and determination was key to his skills in ratting. He was also an ideal size and didn’t take up too much room (nor eat a lot) for even the poorest of farmers who kept him in the late 19th century. Even today, these tough terriers will go up against other vermin or even snakes – a testament to his tenacious nature!
The Ratonero Valenciano has many talents. He has an excellent sense of smell and does quite well at tracking. Some hunters have been known to take their Ratoneros with them while hunting rabbit or quail! He is also a first-rate watchdog and is always ready to alert at the first sign of anything “off”. If a stranger were to enter the property, this little dog would not let it go and will continue barking until the owner has put an end to it. Furthermore, he cannot be bribed to stop with food by a stranger. If the “intruder” is a known friend, he’ll still bark until his owner is well aware, although his bark is different. The breed was also used to guard property, such as bicycles or even cars. His possessive and territorial traits make him adept at this task as well!
The Ratonero Valenciano is an intelligent, active dog and has the capability to do very well in dog sports such as agility or canine freestyle. He learns quickly and has a lot of versatility to do most anything asked of him! For this reason, he can be a good choice for a first-time dog owner as long as that person is energetic. The Ratonero Valenciano is a very active dog that needs an equally active lifestyle. They aren’t big on naps or taking it easy. 
Ratonero Valencianos can be a gentle and highly affectionate dog to those whom he knows and trusts, including children, the elderly, as well as other dogs. He wants to spend time with his family and be involved in everything they are doing, if at all possible! Spending a lot of time alone isn’t recommended so he works best in situations where people won’t be gone all day. With strangers, he is much more wary because of his protective nature and not generally wild about meeting new people.
The Ratonero Valenciano does require regular grooming, despite the fact that the coat is smooth and short. In order to keep the skin nourished and the coat clean, it is recommended to bathe this dog every 5 weeks or so. Using a shampoo formulated for dogs, this regular bathing will help loose hair come out and keep the dog from shedding very much. A quality conditioner should be applied afterward to keep the hair shiny and healthy, and some dogs also benefit from a leave-on conditioner sprayed into the coat in between baths. Nails should be trimmed at each bath at a minimum, and ears need to be cleaned every couple of weeks.
Some Ratonero Valencianos can be escape artists if they feel there are more interesting things to do outside the property than inside. A secure fence is a must! Also plan on keeping this curious terrier on leash when out on walks or he may race away at the first sign of a rodent, cat or other small creature. Cats living in the home may also be in danger if the particular Ratonero is extremely prey-driven. They aren’t normally recommend for cat owners or those who have small pets that roam the house.
