Ferreting dogs.

[mackay 3,683]

Reading the ferreting threads I've noticed the apparent lack of ferreting dogs (or what I would class as a ferreting dog) that seem to be about. Now I know a lot of people can't own a dog for various reasons but from what I can see some people who own dogs and use them for other things don't use them for ferreting or if they do they're basically catch dogs used to catch the odd rabbit that slips the net (and lets be honest a greyhound would fulfill that task). I'm talking about the dog that is a true and reliable marker, marking only inhabited burrows walking past empty burrows, the dog that sits there unflinching regardless of weather or other distractions listening and following events underground. A rabbit hits the net, the dog ignores it but should another come behind it then give chase and hopefully catch and retrieve it. Add to that the dog should be able to pinpoint where a ferret is laid up with a rabbit and should also be able to anticipate which hole a rabbit is going to bolt from. When there are no more rabbits in the burrow the dog should be able to distinguish this and move on to the next inhabited burrow. A lot to ask, yes, some might actually think not possible, but, I've seen them and I've owned them but they're thin on the ground now whereas lamping dogs are plentiful and the world seems to be full of foxdogs

Whats happened to the good old reliable ferreting dog?.

[allgame 0]

hmm i use my gsp for ferreting and hes obident and will hold a rabbit in a net if its far from me and will catch 2 out of three within 10 meters or not at all hes also a good marker but i have a dog that i belive is capable of what u say except i wouldnt risk him bracking a leg on a hole he's a lamp dog mabey other people feel the same and wouldnt risk there best lamp dog on rabbits which woulld be more then capable tell whats the breeding of these dogs im thinking the majority are collie or wippet crosses

[Phil Lloyd 10,739]

Reading the ferreting threads I've noticed the apparent lack of ferreting dogs (or what I would class as a ferreting dog) that seem to be about. Now I know a lot of people can't own a dog for various reasons but from what I can see some people who own dogs and use them for other things don't use them for ferreting or if they do they're basically catch dogs used to catch the odd rabbit that slips the net (and lets be honest a greyhound would fulfill that task). I'm talking about the dog that is a true and reliable marker, marking only inhabited burrows walking past empty burrows, the dog that sits there unflinching regardless of weather or other distractions listening and following events underground. A rabbit hits the net, the dog ignores it but should another come behind it then give chase and hopefully catch and retrieve it. Add to that the dog should be able to pinpoint where a ferret is laid up with a rabbit and should also be able to anticipate which hole a rabbit is going to bolt from. When there are no more rabbits in the burrow the dog should be able to distinguish this and move on to the next inhabited burrow. A lot to ask, yes, some might actually think not possible, but, I've seen them and I've owned them but they're thin on the ground now whereas lamping dogs are plentiful and the world seems to be full of foxdogs

Whats happened to the good old reliable ferreting dog?.

 

 

Get yer drift Mackay,....

 

I think such dogs DO exist,..its just that for a lot of guys,..more so lads new to the hunting game,..such a dog doesn't appear to be all that exciting,...and their thoughts turn to 'other things',...Who can blame them,...I was the same

 

Personally,..the ferreting dog , is my ideal,..and to be truthful,.unless it was a contract job on the Motorways,..I wouldn't go out without one

Dogs and ferrets go together like Bacon and Eggs... or,.Curry and Rice,.or,.feck the ferreting,..I'm hungry,.again

 

All the best,.CHALKWARREN...

[Guest Frank]

feck the ferreting,..I'm hungry,.again

 

All the best,.CHALKWARREN...

 

[Neal 1,930]

I use my kelpies for ferreting. They're not the greatest dogs at snapping up the bolters but their noses are spot on and they do a pretty good job of holding them til I get to the net. They've not been doing it for long though, only one and a bit seasons, and were used for general mooching and bushing before that so they've yet to realize their full potential; touch wood.

[Ludwig 0]

Reading the ferreting threads I've noticed the apparent lack of ferreting dogs (or what I would class as a ferreting dog) that seem to be about. Now I know a lot of people can't own a dog for various reasons but from what I can see some people who own dogs and use them for other things don't use them for ferreting or if they do they're basically catch dogs used to catch the odd rabbit that slips the net (and lets be honest a greyhound would fulfill that task). I'm talking about the dog that is a true and reliable marker, marking only inhabited burrows walking past empty burrows, the dog that sits there unflinching regardless of weather or other distractions listening and following events underground. A rabbit hits the net, the dog ignores it but should another come behind it then give chase and hopefully catch and retrieve it. Add to that the dog should be able to pinpoint where a ferret is laid up with a rabbit and should also be able to anticipate which hole a rabbit is going to bolt from. When there are no more rabbits in the burrow the dog should be able to distinguish this and move on to the next inhabited burrow. A lot to ask, yes, some might actually think not possible, but, I've seen them and I've owned them but they're thin on the ground now whereas lamping dogs are plentiful and the world seems to be full of foxdogs

Whats happened to the good old reliable ferreting dog?.

 

I work a Whippet to the Ferrets and nets and to be honest Without him I'd of had less than half the rabbits I caught on my last trip out

 

He only caught one on the run the other few ones were a mixture of holding the coneys in the long nets, bushing one rabbit back into the wrong side of the longnet from some scrub that it was sitting in unbenownst to meand then holding it there, and one final one was ripped from a bury where it was taking the part of a rope in a tug O war betwix ferret and Dog.

 

i can't say that he has ever hovered silent over a bury waiting for a bolt or dug to a ferret that laid up on a rabbit, but he does mark well and will jump the Longnet to hold the rabbit on the other side. I find that the Longnet doesn't catch as well without the dog casing the rabbit in as they hit the net so much quicker they tangle more.

 

Perhaps one of the reasons that the "Ferreting Dog" is seen less and less is that more and more Ferreters are (no evidence to support this claim) useing longnets instead of Purse nets with dogs? I know that I use Purse nets less and less since I got my long nets and carrier and theyonly get brought out for less than 7 holers or tricky little bits where long nets would be overkill or to tricky.