The importance of a ferreting dog

[rob190364 2,594]

Before I got my lurcher I used to think it would be just an added bonus, but I can't imagine going without her now. It's not the catching bolters that slip the net, it's the marking.....when rabbits aren't in abundance how much time would you waste without a dog with you!! If I didn't have my dog with me this season I'd probably have spent % of the time netting up unoccupied warrens.

 

If there's any newbies reading this who haven't managed to get themselves a hunting dog yet, or someone who goes without a dog, if you have a pet dog, or friends/relatives that have a pet dog, try taking it with you to see if it's proves to be any use. Forget about worrying if it won't go into cover, or wouldn't be able to catch a bolter. All you need it to do is show from its body language that there's something of interest down the hole. And then just tie it to your spade or a tree or something while your ferreting, so it doesn't disturb the nets or kill the ferrets. They save so much time and frustration!!

 

Glad too read this I am trying too ease my 5 year old pet cocker into things. Taking it easy though and all ready he has put up woodcock. The stock training side of things is a worry so I am a bit limited where I can take him which is why he hasnt come across a rabbit yet but its only a matter of time

spend the summer getting him rock steady on stock and ferrets and come next season you'll be laughing, you could still use him to mark this season though, just keep him on a lead......he'll get used to seeing how it all works aswell then.

[Ideation 8,217]

Before I got my lurcher I used to think it would be just an added bonus, but I can't imagine going without her now. It's not the catching bolters that slip the net, it's the marking.....when rabbits aren't in abundance how much time would you waste without a dog with you!! If I didn't have my dog with me this season I'd probably have spent % of the time netting up unoccupied warrens.

 

If there's any newbies reading this who haven't managed to get themselves a hunting dog yet, or someone who goes without a dog, if you have a pet dog, or friends/relatives that have a pet dog, try taking it with you to see if it's proves to be any use. Forget about worrying if it won't go into cover, or wouldn't be able to catch a bolter. All you need it to do is show from its body language that there's something of interest down the hole. And then just tie it to your spade or a tree or something while your ferreting, so it doesn't disturb the nets or kill the ferrets. They save so much time and frustration!!

 

Glad too read this I am trying too ease my 5 year old pet cocker into things. Taking it easy though and all ready he has put up woodcock. The stock training side of things is a worry so I am a bit limited where I can take him which is why he hasnt come across a rabbit yet but its only a matter of time

spend the summer getting him rock steady on stock and ferrets and come next season you'll be laughing, you could still use him to mark this season though, just keep him on a lead......he'll get used to seeing how it all works aswell then.

 

Mine wanted all ferrets dead until he saw them working. Weird little twat.

[matt1979 766]

I have to agree with using a dog and it doesnt have to be specialist breed. I have a schnauzer and he has been easy to break to the ferrets and will mark holes reasonably well, that said he aint so good on the bolters (without nets) but you cant fault his effort. I will get a whippet one day and hopefully become a total ferreting dog.

[rob190364 2,594]

I have to agree with using a dog and it doesnt have to be specialist breed. I have a schnauzer and he has been easy to break to the ferrets and will mark holes reasonably well, that said he aint so good on the bolters (without nets) but you cant fault his effort. I will get a whippet one day and hopefully become a total ferreting dog.

there you go, perfect example of what I was on about get some pics of him in action up bud!

[matt1979 766]

will do next time i am out, you might see the bouvier in shot as well, but that dog is just out for the exercise and hasnt got a clue lol

[Guest cookiemonsterandmerlin]

All dogs have a use in ferretting it amazing how a pet dog who is shown the ropes can pick it up marking I always like to have two dogs one for coursing the high speed runners and one purley for holding the coneys in a purse net in the hedge as they are quicker in reaching them than a human.

Heres is RED who we losed this year because of mouth cancer he came form a kennels never worked but picked it up really well most dogs can be of use and the only thing is it must be totally stock broken and ferret broken otherwise I am keen on pretty much any dog joining us.

As Ive got older my enjoyment of working the dogs ferts has started to outweigh the numbers I catch .

 

 

 

Steady as rock even on roadsides would never venture onto the road 100%

 

ATB Cookie

[BEARINATOR 2,924]

All dogs have a use in ferretting it amazing how a pet dog who is shown the ropes can pick it up marking I always like to have two dogs one for coursing the high speed runners and one purley for holding the coneys in a purse net in the hedge as they are quicker in reaching them than a human.

Heres is RED who we losed this year because of mouth cancer he came form a kennels never worked but picked it up really well most dogs can be of use and the only thing is it must be totally stock broken and ferret broken otherwise I am keen on pretty much any dog joining us.

As Ive got older my enjoyment of working the dogs ferts has started to outweigh the numbers I catch .

 

 

 

Steady as rock even on roadsides would never venture onto the road 100%

 

ATB Cookie

 

I always liked the look of him mate , R.I.P RED

 

I always like a good marking dog what ever the breed, my first was a staff/lab bitch who would push through any cover and guard holes even in nettles and that. For her being a good size mongrel she certainly took some kills and not just rabbits

[rob190364 2,594]

As Ive got older my enjoyment of working the dogs ferts has started to outweigh the numbers I catch .

 

ATB Cookie

exactly how I am pal.

[Ideation 8,217]

You could offer me a day on rabbit infested land, with the liklihood of taking 100 + bunnies on the day, and if i couldnt bring my dog, i wouldnt do it.

[Phil Lloyd 10,739]

You could offer me a day on rabbit infested land, with the liklihood of taking 100 + bunnies on the day, and if i couldnt bring my dog, i wouldnt do it.

 

For me, it would be like watching 'paint dry'....

 

 

[NEWKID 29,074]

You could offer me a day on rabbit infested land, with the liklihood of taking 100 + bunnies on the day, and if i couldnt bring my dog, i wouldnt do it.

 

Got to agree with that mate watching the dogs is the best bit for me,

 

Cookie:

 

Similar thing with me mate my Jack russel will sit in the hedge and nail them in the nets and is a good marker, and my beddy whip will run the bolters, they're a decent little team, lately I have been letting the Jrt mark and then keeping her on a lead, mainly because I've found the rabbits will leave the hedge and hit the stop nets more readily,

A mate who I go out with from time to time has 4 dogs he brings an EBT, littl jrt, a pat and a staffy, they all are good with stock and ferrets and all mark, are good around the nets too they are basically pets who do bit and keep him really happy too

[Jamie m 668]

best get that hutch built, I took my bullx out lamping other day with terrier-man-mark and she caught a rabbit smashed it to f**k so dare say she wont be a ferreting dog mate lol.

I've turned abull blooded dog into a ferreting dog never going to be a world beater or soft mouthed but he loves it

[Jamie m 668]

Here ya go

 

http://emob946.photobucket.com/albums/ad306/jamiem1/photo-144.jpg

[Guest cookiemonsterandmerlin]

The only downside is in oxfordshire alot landowners will not let dogmen on there land full stop due to the bad image .

And to be honest I can see there point there not a week goes by on THL where a thread denotes poaching by the thread starter and complain they got rummbled or tyres slashed.

 

So some who say that if they could not take there dogs meant turning down good coney land could be pretty lean for them.

 

ATB Cookie

[johnny boy68 11,726]

All dogs have a use in ferretting it amazing how a pet dog who is shown the ropes can pick it up marking I always like to have two dogs one for coursing the high speed runners and one purley for holding the coneys in a purse net in the hedge as they are quicker in reaching them than a human.

Heres is RED who we losed this year because of mouth cancer he came form a kennels never worked but picked it up really well most dogs can be of use and the only thing is it must be totally stock broken and ferret broken otherwise I am keen on pretty much any dog joining us.

As Ive got older my enjoyment of working the dogs ferts has started to outweigh the numbers I catch .

 

 

 

Steady as rock even on roadsides would never venture onto the road 100%

 

ATB Cookie

Nice stamp of dog that cookie, how was he bred?

 

I couldn't imagine not ferreting with a dog, my old collie x never seen a ferret or worked daytime(always lamped her) until she was 5 but is steady with the ferrets,marks,respects nets etc, a good honest dog.