Furry Diary

Andalusian Terrier

Also called Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz, Andalusian Wine-Cellar Rat-Hunting Dog, Bodeguero Jerezano, Sherry Terrier, Andalusian Ratter

Recognised breedFCI group 3Short profile

From Spain: Andalusia, especially the sherry country around Jerez de la Frontera in Cádiz province.12

At a glance the quick version

Weight, male10 to 12 kg12
Weight, female8 to 10 kg12
Height, male37 to 43 cm1
Height, female35 to 41 cm1
Sizesmall

Ideal 40 cm for males and 38 cm for females.

lively and intelligent
loyal and friendly
adapts easily to new surroundings
12

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, dense coat

A neat, close coat on a light and agile terrier frame. Most of the body is white, with a head marked in black and tan.12

Colourswhite with black and tan markings (tricolour)12

Personality what they are like

A bright, cheerful terrier with a sharp nose and eyes and plenty of hunting drive. It is known for being loyal and sociable, adapts well to different homes and is reported to get along with children.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Energetic working terrier that enjoys daily activity and chances to use its hunting instincts.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short coat is easy to keep clean with occasional brushing.1

Company who they like around

Friendly and adaptable, happy to be part of family life.12

The story where it all began

English wine merchants who settled around Jerez in the 18th and 19th centuries brought fox terrier type dogs, which were crossed with local cellar dogs to keep the sherry bodegas free of rats. A breed club formed in the 1990s, Spain recognised the breed in 2000, and the FCI followed in 2024.21

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    The city of Jerez declared the breed part of its intangible cultural heritage in 2020.1

  2. 2

    Its mostly white coat made it easier to see in the dim wine cellars where it hunted.2

  3. 3

    Because of its looks it is sometimes nicknamed the Spanish Jack Russell.1

  4. 4

    Its Spanish name literally describes a rat-catching dog of the wine cellars.1

Recognised by the official bits

RSCE
Recognised by the Real Sociedad Canina de España in 2000.2
FCI
Accepted in September 2024 in Group 3 (Terriers).2
Spanish Ministry of Agriculture
Officially recognised as a Spanish breed (2000).1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

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

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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 support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

  1. Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, size, colours, temperament, recognition, fun facts
  2. Ratonero bodeguero andaluz - Wikipedia (Spanish) es.wikipedia.orgused for RSCE and FCI recognition, history, temperament, colour fact

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