The Mouser Dog breeds are sometimes referred to as the Spanish Jack Russell because of their similarity to the popular Jack Russell Terrier in appearance and temperament, and both breeds have Fox Terriers in their ancestry, but the Ratonero was developed in southern Spain, a mixture of Fox Terriers and local ratting dogs.
The result was an extremely fast and agile animal hunter that worked well among the barrels of wine stored in the vineyards that flourished in the area.
They are known to have an exuberant and cheerful personality, and are very affectionate and even comical in the home, but focused and motivated when on the hunt.
History of the Mouser dog
The Club Nacional del Perro Andaluz Ratonero Bodeguero, the first club for the Ratonero dog breeds, also known as the Spanish Jack Russell, was established along with a breed standard in 1993. However, the history of this breed begins much earlier, when the English first visited Spain to taste its wines.
The English brought with them the smooth-coated English Fox Terriers which they then crossed with other breeds of dogs from the area, particularly the dogs from the area of Andalusia in southern Spain, near the vineyards of Jerez de La Frontera.
These canines proved particularly adept at catching rats and pests that lived in the cellars, specifically those that made their homes where the barrels were housed, as the little dogs were agile and able to manoeuvre easily between the barrels to catch their prey.
It was not until the year 2000 that the breed was recognised by the Royal Canine Society of Spain and was declared a Spanish breed by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and the Royal Spanish Purebred Association. It is recognised in some small kennel clubs, including the Nordic Kennel Union.
These dogs are still frequently employed in Spanish bodegas, but have also become very popular for pest control and as family companions, particularly for people living in homes that have been built in the natural caves of the area.
Appearance of the Mouser breed
The Mouser dog breeds, is a small to medium sized, smooth-coated terrier breed with a lean, athletic body that has a fairly square build for males, although female Mousers tend to be slightly longer than they are tall. They usually have a relatively small head that is triangular in shape with a flat skull and a long, straight muzzle.
The slanting eyes of this breed can range from hazel to dark brown, and their ears are set high on the skull, and are generally held erect when the dogs are attentive, but often fold halfway back when at rest. The white coat of the Mouser is short and smooth, with varying shades of black and tan covering the head and face area.
Maintenance of the Mouser dog
The grooming needs of Mouser dog breeds in particular are undemanding, as they have a short, soft coat that naturally sheds dirt and dust.
Brushing with a polished brush or grooming mitt once or twice a week is required to control moderate shedding throughout the year, although the tendency to shed can also be reduced somewhat by adding fish oil to their diet.
The Mouse’s coat is generally glossy and supple.
Their ears should be cleaned frequently, as they have a tendency to trap dirt and if these dogs are used for their original purpose, their ears should be checked daily for scratches and rodent bites. It is also important to watch the amount of food this breed offers, as they are prone to obesity due to overfeeding.
Temperament of the Mouser
The Mouser is an energetic and friendly animal that tends to have a fairly upbeat demeanour.
They tend to get along well with most people, both family and strangers, as with most other canines, but their extremely high prey drive and speed make them unsafe companions for smaller animals such as rabbits, ferrets and even some cats.
They are often quite entertaining and clownish when relaxed at home, but tend to be more reserved and polite in less familiar surroundings when well socialised.
This breed is also often attracted to children, and while it is always important to supervise interactions between canines and children, these robust and energetic dogs make very good playmates for younger children.
Mousers are likewise very intelligent and tenacious, but good socialisation, as well as the introduction of basic obedience at an early stage in their lives, usually helps to prevent that from turning into stubbornness.
Activity requirements of the Mouser
The Mouser, like most terriers, is a high-energy dog with a quick mind that requires plenty of physical and mental exercise each day. Along with a brisk walk of thirty to sixty minutes each day, you may want to consider enrolling this dog in alternative activities such as agility training or even canine freestyle dancing.
This breed is small enough to live in flats, and they do not tend to be overly vocal or territorial in general, but if not given the necessary exercise both mentally and physically, they can become anxious, mischievous and even occasionally destructive.
One advantage of these dogs is that they are fairly easy to train, they can be challenging at times, but if you are consistent in teaching new commands, they will obey with confidence. And this is a good way to keep them busy and active.
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