Villanuco de Las Encartaciones

Also called Enkarterriko Billanuko, Villanucu, Basque Ratter

Rare breedShort profile

From Spain (Las Encartaciones / Enkarterri, Biscay, Basque Country)1

At a glance the quick version

Weight4 to 8.5 kg1

Height, male30 to 40 cm1

Sizesmall

Range given for the breed overall.

alert watchdog

skilled ratter

companionable

Coat and looks how to spot one

smooth short coat

A small, neat ratting dog with fine, snug skin and a very short coat of little more than 1 cm.1

Coloursblack and whiteblack and tanblack and cinnamonwhite and cinnamontricolour1

Personality what they are like

An observant little dog that quickly notices strangers, making it a handy watchdog as well as a family companion.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Traditionally a working ratter on farms, so it enjoys regular activity and chances to use its hunting instincts.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The very short coat is low-maintenance.1

The story where it all began

The Villanuco is a small farm dog from the Enkarterri district of Biscay, kept for catching rats and keeping watch. Though it resembles other Spanish ratting dogs, it is treated as its own breed, and the Basque Government recognised it in 2001.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
Most of the breed is found in just six municipalities of Las Encartaciones.1
2
Some dogs have a chocolate-coloured nose instead of black.1
3
It shares its home district and part of its name with the much larger Villano de Las Encartaciones cattle dog.1

Recognised by the official bits

Basque Government: Recognised as a traditional Basque breed by decree in 20011

How many Reported total below fifty dogs1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Villanuco de Las Encartaciones. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year

Start a free diary

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

Wikipedia: Villanuco de Las Encartaciones en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.