Water rats, rabbits and moles: according to the FCI standard, these were the quarry it hunted on Valencia’s farms and fields, while its bark announced every intruder. The standard links the Valencian Terrier’s (Gos Rater Valencià) beginnings to regional orange growing; it was also popularly called Rateret or Fusterrier.
| FCI | Group 3 (Terriers), Section 1 Large and medium-sized Terriers, Standard No. 370, without working trial, provisionally recognised |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Spain (Comunidad Valenciana) |
| Size (height at the withers) | Males 30 to 40 cm, ideal 36 cm; females 29 to 38 cm, ideal 33 cm; an extra 1 cm tolerated with harmonious build |
| Weight | approximately 4 to 8 kg |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | fine and short, no longer than 2 cm; long or curly hair is a serious fault |
| Colours in the standard | patched more common than solid: usually tricolour (black and tan with white markings), followed by black and tan; also black and white, cinnamon and white, chocolate, chocolate and white; solid cinnamon and black too |
From farm to stud book
The standard traces its roots to native dogs of similar size, early terrier imports from Great Britain and other similarly looking dogs. It has been documented in Valencia since the final third of the 19th century. It was valued for its instinct to signal and hunt vermin, and its loyalty. Meet a similar Spanish ratter with semi-erect ears in the Andalusian Terrier entry.
What “provisionally recognised” means here
The FCI has provisionally recognised the Gos Rater Valencià since 21.06.2022. Until definitive recognition, the FCI says it cannot receive a CACIB, the certificate towards International Beauty Champion status. It can nevertheless become World or Section Winner, and its pedigrees must carry the FCI logo.
Lively, loyal and quick to understand
Lively, cheerful and active, affectionate and loyal, reserved with strangers: that is the standard’s description. It is courageous not only when hunting but also defending its people’s property, and learns very quickly. In practice, it barks at the garden gate and rapidly learns new things, unwanted ones included.
Jumping, hunting and searching
The standard highlights jumping ability and light-footed movement, as though paws barely touch the ground. Offer outlets: agility, hoopers, food-dummy search games and long country walks. Bred to hunt rodents, it is best watched closely around mouse holes and rabbits when off lead.
Little coat, little effort
The hair, no more than 2 cm long, needs only an occasional rubber curry brush. The tail used to be docked but no longer is, and some puppies are born without tails.
Health: scarcely any data
Neither the large British lifespan analysis (McMillan et al. 2024) nor a Europe PMC search provided a study with figures for this breed. We therefore name no typical diseases or average age. Ask breeders which examinations the parents have had. The standard explicitly excludes albinism and aggressive or excessively shy dogs.
Who it suits, and who it does not
It suits active people who appreciate a small, light dog with hunting enthusiasm and watchfulness and enjoy training. In a family whose children allow it peace, it can be a loyal companion. Things become difficult if barking at every sound bothers you or neighbours, or guinea pigs roam the living room.
Before choosing such a keen little hunter, try the breed quiz; our book offers more detail: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). If a puppy is joining you, the free Puppy Starter Pack provides a starting plan. To put your Rater on the wall, find it among our dog portraits from your own photo, for example as a poster in a wooden frame.
Further reading
- The socialisation period: why “as much as possible” is the wrong advice
- The first 30 days with a puppy: a plan for weeks 1 to 4
- Calculating dog food portions: how much your dog really needs
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 370 Gos Rater Valencià (Valencianischer Terrier) (fci.be, German version dated 19.09.2025, English version dated 14.09.2022, valid standard published 21.06.2022); FCI breed page No. 370 and FCI page on provisionally recognised breeds; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (breed not included).
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