Ratter (dog)

German Ratting Dog published in 1895

Ratting has existed for centuries, especially in Europe.[4][5] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list over 20 diseases directly linked to rats, making ratting dogs popular as a way of curbing disease[4] [6][2] Rats are associated with damage to crops and buildings.[7][2] In Medieval times, rat-catchers were employed to curb the spread of disease. Rat-catchers who employed dogs were considerably more successful and rat-catchers with packs of ratting dogs would frequently travel from town to town.[2][5][3]

Many of the first documented ratters were during the mid to late 1800s in the United Kingdom. As the population in London grew, overcrowding and inadequate waste management systems caused the hygiene levels to fall and the use of rat-catchers and their ratting dogs rose in popularity.[4][5][8]

The Guinness Book of World Records lists as the "fastest canine rat catcher" a bull-and-terrier dog named Billy, who killed 100 rats in 5 minutes 30 seconds (average of one rat every 3.3 seconds) at an event in 1825.[9] Guinness also credits Billy with having killed 4000 rats within a 17-hour period (average of one rat every 15.3 seconds) on an unspecified occasion;[9] other sources, including the 1993 edition of Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World, credit him with killing 2501 rats within a 7-hour period (average of one rat every 10 seconds).[10][11][12][13]

During World War I, ratting dogs were used to control rat populations in trenches.[2]

The use of ratting dogs is increasing again in many areas as rats have developed an immunity to rat poisons.[14][15] Ryders Alley Trencher-fed Society (R.A.T.S.) is a New York City group founded in the 1990s[16] that conducts organized rat hunting with dogs. The group was named by founding member Richard Reynolds after Ryders Alley in Manhattan, which was once rat infested, and the trencher-fed pack assembled to hunt.[17][18][19] The group often hunts in Lower Manhattan locations like Theatre Alley where garbage is accessible to vermin.[20][21]

Rat-baiting in 1873

Rat-baiting is a blood sport that involves releasing captured rats in an enclosed space with spectators betting on how long a dog, usually a terrier, takes to kill the rats. It is now illegal in most countries.

An earthdog trial tests the working ability and instinct of the small, often short-legged terriers or Dachshunds. Earthdog trials involve man-made tunnels that the dogs must navigate, while scenting a rat, "the quarry". The dog must follow the scent to the quarry and then "work" the quarry. Depending on the sanctioning organization, "working" means barking, scratching, staring, pawing, digging; any active behavior. The quarry is protected at all times by wooden bars across the end of the tunnel. The hunting encounter is controlled, and neither the dog nor the quarry (usually two rats) are endangered by the activity.[22][23]

Barn Hunt is the competitive sport of finding rats hidden within hay bails. Tame rats are placed in a hard tube to prevent injury and hidden in hay bails while the dogs find them.[24]

Among the many breeds used for ratting are several terriers, various pinschers and schnauzers, and the ratonero breeds of Spain. Rat-catchers will also use cross-breed dogs to catch rats. including lurchers and pointer crosses.[3]

Ratoneros

Ratting Dog in Basque country

There are five regional breeds of ratonero or ratter in Spain:

• Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz from Andalusia[31]

• Ca Rater Mallorquí or Ratonero Mallorquín of Mallorca[32]
• Ratonero Murciano from Murcia[33]
• Valencian Terrier or Ratonero Valenciano of Valencia[31]
• Villanuco de Las Encartaciones in the Basque Country[34]