Majorca ratter, a Spanish ratter breed developed in the Balearic and Majorca Islands of Spain. Like most other terrier breeds, the purpose behind their development too was to control vermin. One of these ratters’ unique traits was their technique of hunting. Instead of following the terrier style and chasing their prey, they would advance silently towards the quarry and then leap upon their prey using their muscular back legs to get hold of them.
A close cousin of the Gos Rater Valencia, these medium-sized dogs have an intimidating look with their prick ears and black and tan smooth coat. They are loyal and affectionate with strong barking skills and make for excellent watchdogs. They share a comfortable rapport with kids that gets better with socialization. However, little ones need supervision while interacting with the Majorca ratter, owing to the latter’s instinct to nip or chase.
Most detail about their history remains unrecorded, though their development didn’t occur before the first half of the 20th century. These dogs have not attained the recognition of noted registries like the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.
The Valencians probably brought the ratters along to Majorca when they came here
Club Espanyol del Ca Rater Mallorquí developed
Gained recognition by Balearic Island’s autonomous community. The breed standards were even published in the Spanish government’s official gazette, Boletín Oficial del Estado
Gained national recognition
Don’t get deceived by their small size when deciding upon these dogs’ exercise regime. Because of their high energy, you need to exercise them daily, with one long or two short walks, teamed with ample playtime outdoors or indoors.
Don’t miss the leash lest it could get into a chasing mode upon seeing smaller animals or even a vehicle in motion.
As they shed minimally, grooming these ratters won’t be too mammoth a task. Brushing them twice or thrice a week would help keep their short, smooth coat in proper shape, retaining the gloss and shine.
Clean its ears and eyes regularly help keep infections at bay. Take extra care about their dental hygiene and brush their teeth daily. Also, trim their nails once a month or whenever they increase in size.
To cope with its high energy level, you should be extra cautious about its diet. Good quality dog food containing all the essential ingredients is what you need to give the Majorca ratter. If going for store-bought food, you may opt for brands like Royal Canin, and Hill’s Science.
Though easy to train, their independent thinking could sometimes pose a challenge in the training process. Hence, firm and tactful handling is needed from the start, teamed with positive reinforcement techniques to yield positive results.
Socializing the Majorca ratter quite early would help them develop a decent personality. The more they get exposed to different people and varied situations, the more they would distinguish a friend from an enemy, a pleasant experience from an unpleasant one.
Leash training would help manage their chasing behavior to a great extent. If you start it from the time it’s a pup, it would learn to walk on a leash in 4-6 weeks.
