THE ORIGIN OF DOMESTIC RATS

The original rodents arose in Asia more than 53 million years ago, but the ‘muridae’ (which gave rise to the Norwegian rats among other rodents) appeared about 35 million years ago; within the ‘muridae’ arose the ‘rattus’ genus that arose in the Mediterranean, Middle East, China, Japan, India and Southwest Asia about 3.5-5.5 million years ago. 

The ancestors of the Norwegian rats (Rattus Norvegicus) that arose in northern China and the black rat (Rattus Rattus) that appeared in the Indian area separated about 2 million years ago and today this genus counts 60-65 species.

As far as its arrival in Europe is concerned, the Norway rat arrived many centuries after the black rat (of which there are remains from the 5th century BC); although the exact date of the arrival of the Norway rat is unknown, remains from medieval times have been found. As far as the American continent is concerned, both types of rats arrived at different times; the first of these was the black rat, which arrived in the 16th century, while the Norwegian rats accompanied the colonist ships at the end of the 18th century. 

Today, Norway rats are far more numerous than black rats on all continents except for areas near the tropics, where black rats are easier to find. 

RATS IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES

But to know the origin of fancy rats and their purpose as a pet, we have to go back to the 18th and 19th centuries. 

 During this period rat fights were very common, not only among rat hunters but also among the general public, who bet on how long it would take a terrier dog to finish off all the rats in the pit; this type of ‘sport’ was also used to select terrier dogs for breeding, thus crossing those with the best natural aptitudes. 

THE RAT AS A PET

The great promoters of the rat as a pet were Jack Black (Queen Victoria's rat catcher) and Jimmy Shaw, the manager of London's largest (all public) bookmakers; many of the colour varieties we have today are the responsibility of these two men, although earlier (it is assumed) the other catchers sold those with more exotic colours.

But it was not until 1901 that the fancy rat (as such) and the whole world of the hobby around it came into being, when Mary Douglas asked to go to the ‘National Mouse Club’ show (England) with her pet rat; not only was she able to go with it, but she also won ‘Best in Show’ and the interest and popularity of these animals as companions in life began to boil over. 

Mrs. Douglas passed away in 1921 and from this point onwards the rats began to fall into the oblivion of society and other fanciers. The ‘National Mouse and Rat Club’ erased the animals from their name and environment in 1931, the year in which the hobby, which had officially started in 1912, ‘ended’. 

Finally the fancy rat hobby re-emerged in England in 1976 with the creation of the National Fancy Rat Society (NFRS).

THE RAT AS A PET IN SPAIN

In Spain there are still few people interested in the selection of fancy rats (especially focused on increasing the longevity of these animals and in their wonderful characters), but they are committed people who are concerned, above all, for the welfare of their animals, both at home and once they leave with their new owners. Among the projects of these passionate people is the creation, in the medium and long term, of a club dedicated exclusively to these adorable pets, their selection and the organisation of events like in other countries.