# Villanuco de Las Encartaciones Also known as: Ratonero Basco, Enkarterriko Billanuko, Villanucu - **Group:** Terrier (FCI group 3) - **Size:** Small - **Origin:** Spain - **Height:** 30–40 cm - **Temperament:** Alert, Watchful, Lively, Loyal A small, short-coated Basque ratter from Las Encartaciones in northern Spain. It is a critically endangered traditional breed, valued as an alert watchdog and companion. ## Overview The Villanuco de Las Encartaciones is a small Spanish ratting dog from the Enkarterri district of the Basque Country. It is one of five Basque dog breeds and one of fourteen native animal breeds of the region. It is critically endangered, with fewer than fifty reported in 2009, almost all in its home district. ## History The Villanuco comes from Enkarterri, or Las Encartaciones, in Bizkaia. It was recognised as a traditional Basque breed by government decree in 2001. It was included in the rural development plan of the Basque Country for 2007 to 2013. Its numbers remain tiny and the breed is kept going in a handful of villages. ## Appearance A small dog, standing 30 to 40 cm at the withers, with bitches a little smaller. The skin is fine and close-fitting and the coat is short, little more than a centimetre long. Colours are most often black and white or black and tan, with black and cinnamon, white and cinnamon or tricolour less common. The nose is usually black, sometimes chocolate, and the ears are usually upright. ## Temperament Like other ratters, it is alert and quick to notice strangers or intruders, which makes it a good watchdog. It can also be kept simply as a companion dog. ## Care and exercise A small, short-coated working ratter that needs regular walks and play, and enjoys having something to do. Its coat needs very little grooming. Good early socialisation helps keep its watchful instincts balanced. ## Ratings (1 to 5) - Energy: 4 - Exercise needs: 3 - Grooming: 1 - Shedding: 2 - Trainability: 3 - Barking: 4 - Good with children: 3 - Good with other dogs: 3 Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/villanuco-de-las-encartaciones Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villanuco_de_Las_Encartaciones · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q37711 Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.