Charliejack84 6 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Just looking to get started, preferably with ratting and then see where it leads from there so will be no doubt asking some silly questions as time goes on. I had been thinking about trying it for sometime and when i mentioned it to a local farmer he was more than happy to offer his land, barns etc for me, and as well as that i do live rural and there is evidence of rats within my garden and also last year through my brick outbuilding and into the roof of my kitchen! After looking through the posts it seems a puppy would be the best way to go, over an older dog. A bit about my personal situation (prefer not to be half a story person) I have 3 kids, 8,7 and 2, the eldest boys would enjoy this type of thing too but whatever dog i end up with would also be a family pet. We have a black lab (approx 10) she would no doubt enjoy joining in too if permitted. Its the kids side that puts me off an older dog. Would prefer the dog to live outdoors but i suspect that might not be the case. Love your opinion/ feedback on this. Quote Link to post
liamdelaney 2,585 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) Your best bet is see does any of the ratting boys on this site live near you and get them over to show you the ropes.Most terriers take to ratting pretty easy,so it should be easy to get one. Edited January 25, 2016 by liamdelaney 1 Quote Link to post
leethedog 3,071 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Get a pup and play with it with small objects on a pole and string this should bring out the hunt chase instinct in the pup and away you go mate Quote Link to post
leethedog 3,071 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Ps must have all jabs and boosters and don't put any pup on rat till it has all it's big teeth 2 Quote Link to post
Charliejack84 6 Posted January 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Thanks for the advice so far guys. I will seek out someone local either on here or via the local farmers etc to point me in the right direction. I think initially it will just be around home leethedog so shouldn't be an issue, unless it happens to find anything for itself under the shed. (rats are currently trying to gnaw through this) but goes without saying about jabs etc. Is there any particular type of terrier you would recommend, Patterdales seem a popular choice, i was offered a nice looking plummer boy last week, the cost of puppy x with time and cost of travelling was the downside to that one though. Also saw think it was JRT x Balla terrier, not heard of balla terrier before at all? Quote Link to post
Dave6592 51 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 I'd recommend a Jack Russell, mad when out and about but chilled out in the house and ok around kids and other dogs if socialised from being a pup. Keep us updated! Quote Link to post
hjckcff 1,737 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 any working terrier breed or cross will do the job just fine. i like the plummers and russells best but thats just my preferance. 1 Quote Link to post
leethedog 3,071 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 I don't wanna sound derogortory but a poodle will do rats so any terrier ya fancy mate Quote Link to post
MOLE265 792 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 A teacup Yorkie will get its c#nt kicked in by a big doe rat. Sorry lee I can't help myself. Pmsl. 1 Quote Link to post
leethedog 3,071 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 True very true but I knew a traveling man who kept 2 yorkies in with his chickens to keep the rats out 1 Quote Link to post
Charliejack84 6 Posted January 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 The thought of a poodle really doesn't excite me - I had a big argument on FB a couple of nights ago about Shi-poo puppies being advertised, £650!!!! for a Mongrel!!! bloody designer dogs! There is a couple of options close by to me Pure Jack Russell pups and also a litter of plummer x JRT so i may pop and have a look at the weekend and obviously keep my eyes open in the meantime. 3 Quote Link to post
tinytiger 822 Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 my old lad had a poodle x Yorkshire as a sounder when he was young. . Quote Link to post
Dame92 387 Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 I wouldn't go buying the first pup you see, do a bit research but as the lads say most dogs will do rats. I tend to use a live trap then bait them for the pup, then release into an enclosed area then they do the job, mines been killing them since 18 weeks Quote Link to post
hjckcff 1,737 Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 dont listen to the same old same old, any dog will do rats. ive no doubt that most will do rats. but if you enjoy the sport no doubt you will want to progress . and its best you have a decent terrier. one that can do the job front to back. with regular ratting comes injuries working bred dogs heal better. you will need it to have an exellent nose, drive, stamina.you will also want it to have a degree of intelligence. this will help with stock training and in controlling the terrier when working. there are plenty of examples of working dogs making hard work of it along with there owners on youtube. get yourself a good pup off working stock. ive seen a yorkie that belonged to my mother in law go to ground on fox. so going by lee's idea,s even a pot licking yorkie will work to ground. the truth is how well do you want it to work rats. as there are ratters and then there are dogs that are good at this job. and the good one, are generally bred for the task. pics russell / plummer. work bred by a lad on this site. 4 Quote Link to post
Charliejack84 6 Posted January 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 dont listen to the same old same old, any dog will do rats. ive no doubt that most will do rats. but if you enjoy the sport no doubt you will want to progress . and its best you have a decent terrier. one that can do the job front to back. with regular ratting comes injuries working bred dogs heal better. you will need it to have an exellent nose, drive, stamina.you will also want it to have a degree of intelligence. this will help with stock training and in controlling the terrier when working. there are plenty of examples of working dogs making hard work of it along with there owners on youtube. get yourself a good pup off working stock. _DSC1350.JPG _DSC1951.JPG _DSC1960.JPG max crop.jpg ive seen a yorkie that belonged to my mother in law go to ground on fox. so going by tlee's idea,s even a pot licking yorkie will work to ground. the truth is how well do you want it to work rats. as there are ratters and then there are dogs that are good at this job. and the good one, are generally bred for the task. pics russell / plummer. work bred by a lad on this site. Thanks for the advice, I would obviously like to get moving and find one, however i am prepared to wait if need be The biggest thing will be finding the type of dog you speak of, just from looking on preloved and similar sites the term 'working' seems to be attached to lots of advert to push sales through. The better the dog the better long term for me, there is so much land i can use it for around here within even 2 miles that with permission i could be out as much as i want.I like outdoor hobbies and my other hobby is livestock based so all tie in well. I guess it comes down to finding the right dog and right person, if anyone has any recommendations on members, pups etc then feel free to contact me (or pm if prefer) 1 Quote Link to post
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