Ratonero Murciano
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- Spain
intro
The Ratonero Murciano or Ratonero Murciano de Huerta is a Spanish breed of dog from the Region of Murcia . [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ better source needed ] [ 3 ] [ better source needed ] It was traditionally kept in Murcia as a mouse and rat hunter. It is claimed they descend from dogs introduced to the region by the Romans who imported them from Egypt . [ 2 ] [ 3 ] In 1997 a breeding program was established to save the breed; by 2009 the program was up to its third generation, with 80 breeding specimens and a DNA testing program. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] The Ratonero Murciano is described as a compact, short-haired, active dog, well suited to its role as a rat hunter. [ 3 ]