Overview
Not to be confused with the much bigger Villano, the Villanuco de Las Encartaciones is a small ratter from the same Biscayan hills. It kept rodents out of farmhouses and stables and lived indoors with the family. The type is light, short-coated and usually dark with tan or white markings.
Only a handful exist, almost all in Spain. If you walk one, think of a confident little terrier-type with a soft spot for people and a quick trigger for anything small and moving.
Exercise and walking needs
Fifty minutes a day across two walks suits a healthy adult. Small legs mean the distance is modest, but the dog likes to keep moving.
Scent games at home or in the garden are a good match and tire it faster than extra laps.
Daily minimum50 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeEnclosed areas
On the walk
- Small animals: Mice, voles and birds will all be noticed first by the dog. Expect a sudden lunge and a sharp bark.
- Recall: Likely to be good with its own people and distracted by scent. Prove it in a fenced field before trusting it anywhere open.
- Lead: Light on the lead and easily knocked off balance. A small harness avoids any pressure on the neck.
- Other dogs: Usually friendly, but at this size a boisterous Labrador can hurt it by accident. Pair carefully on group walks.
Tips for professional walkers
- Fit a coat in winter; there is very little dog under that thin fur.
- Stay off busy pavements where a dog this small can be stepped on or startled.
- Check between the toes for grass seeds after summer walks.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.
What to ask the owner
- Is the dog used to being handled by anyone other than the family, and does it like being picked up?
- Does it have a strong reaction to cats or small pets that you should plan around?
- How much exercise is it getting now, and does the owner want more or the same?