Patterdale For Ferreting ??

[Jono_g 27]

Evening all,I'm looking at getting a pup for ferreting (for marking and pinning while netted),I've been offered a pat pip from a friend of mine and just wanted some opinions on weather or not I should take him. I've worked dogs before but only in South Africa for bush pig so I'm abit clueless when it comes to breeds etc.

I've been told that a pat will go to ground and that's not something I'm really looking for,his job would be marking buries and holding rabbits I can't get to quick enough. Is this too much to ask from this breed? Or is it all down to upbringing? He'll be 8 weeks on on the 20th of December.

Thank you in advance

ATB

Jono

[toby63 1,236]

you would be beta geting a small lurcher or whippet

[Jono_g 27]

you would be beta geting a small lurcher or whippet

Thanks for the reply, they really arnt for me,I have no idea why. Thanks anyway though.

[jayjay 264]

I don't see why a patterdale wont do what you want it to do....... a mate of mine has two patts that he uses for ferreting, they bush and mark rabbits really well and also steady on a bury watching nets, good at the ratting game aswel,

 

a patt might have a tendency to drop in somewhere unexpectedly......, but that can happen to any working terrier worth its salt.......

 

as long as you know the ground that you are going to be working him on, you'll know where he can run free or not, if going to ground is your worry, i'd be thinking of staying away from terriers.......just my opinion.

 

all the best,

 

jay.

[Jono_g 27]

Not so much a worry really just would prefer if he didn't if that makes sense,but like you say,if I have him out from a young age hopefully he'll learn what's expected of him. I get what you are saying and will definitely take it on board. Thanks

[dogmad riley 1,337]

Don't put this question on the terrier section they will lynch you ha ha. Better off with a purpose bred rabbits dog, whippet or lurcher

[ferretfatcamp 21]

We use a plummer a jack russel and a patterdale all ok for ferretting

[Hydropotesinermis 724]

Patterdales, well all terriers I suppose are far more versatile than people give them credit for. As long as you can deal with, and focus their high prey drive.

 

No reason why a Patterdale shouldn't make an excellent dog for ferreting.

[dogmad riley 1,337]

Imho the patterdales should be left for the digging lads. Get a lurcher bred for the job

[torchey 1,202]

Patterdales can make cracking little rabbiting dogs got one myself for that purpose

[Jono_g 27]

Thanks guys,I really appreciate the help and I've taken everything everyone has said into consideration and I've decided to get the pat,I pick him up soon. Will post pics throughout so others can see how I/ he gets on.

[tomas87 18]

I bought a pat just for that and bushing some places we do don't allow lurchers on but allow other dogs so that's why I got one its his first full season he's doing well marking and catching in the nets. When a pup allowed him round holes marking but when showed interest going to ground corrected him

[nasher1 258]

Make sure you socialise it with your ferrets and I mean every day for the first year. They are clever little dog's but you have to put the work in and make sure it knows what's off limits.

[Gaj1612 99]

If it'll do the job then why not.

[DanRaistrick 53]

As most lads said a small lurcher would be best. I take my Patterdale out ferreting sometimes and he is spot on and knows the job. The only thing I would say is you need to be more careful that there are no fox dens etc next to where you're ferreting.. had a couple of occasions where mine has picked up a scent and gone to ground when I haven't wanted him to, but that's part and parcel of owning a Patterdale.