What made a good terrier man?

[Oshea 16]

I’ve just finished reading Nick Stevens book called “An obsession” and found it a really good read with a great insight into the life of a professional terrier man (Pre-ban). 

It got me wondering what made a great terrier man for the hunt, I know there are the obvious answers but Nick went into great depths discussing the success in fox population from good cover-laying in comparison to building artificials and went into great detail about the country and we’ll know earths. 

are there any well weathered terrier men  that could cast their opinions into the past world of hunting and what made a great terrier man that boosted the odds for the hounds. 
 

Go steady 
 

[Gypsydog94 4,326]

7 hours ago, Oshea said:

I’ve just finished reading Nick Stevens book called “An obsession” and found it a really good read with a great insight into the life of a professional terrier man (Pre-ban). 

It got me wondering what made a great terrier man for the hunt, I know there are the obvious answers but Nick went into great depths discussing the success in fox population from good cover-laying in comparison to building artificials and went into great detail about the country and we’ll know earths. 

are there any well weathered terrier men  that could cast their opinions into the past world of hunting and what made a great terrier man that boosted the odds for the hounds. 
 

Go steady 
 

Someone who goes about his business humanely and quietly 

[Rabbit Hunter 6,608]

Someone who does the job humanely and treats the dogs, quarry and land with respect.

[Aussie Whip 3,822]

I've had terriers since a kid but not a terrier man as in digging terriers. I do think you need patience to get the best out of them and just to own and live with them.

[foxdropper 17,092]

All of the above plus the need to second guess hounds and huntsman .Up early to find a few likely holding spots .Need to be respected locally and never fall out with fellow terriermen no matter the problem .Respectful of hunting codes ,sirs and madams to everyone bar his digging mates .Tidy backfill and inform landowner whats about and whats been dug .Fencing in quiet periods and always repair any faults next day or the country is soon lost .Back in the day it was beneficial to have a back up plan if hounds failed to kick up a fox .Much more but too little time to write it at moment .

[Gypsydog94 4,326]

1 hour ago, foxdropper said:

All of the above plus the need to second guess hounds and huntsman .Up early to find a few likely holding spots .Need to be respected locally and never fall out with fellow terriermen no matter the problem .Respectful of hunting codes ,sirs and madams to everyone bar his digging mates .Tidy backfill and inform landowner whats about and whats been dug .Fencing in quiet periods and always repair any faults next day or the country is soon lost .Back in the day it was beneficial to have a back up plan if hounds failed to kick up a fox .Much more but too little time to write it at moment .

Being respected and trusted by the farmers is very important and often ignored by hunts who seem to go through lads 

[Elchapo 3,092]

Bull shit normally makes a good terrier man, well at least when everyone up there arse shouting there name around like there the be all and end and there pumping litters out like sausage factory 

[paulus 26]

The ability to keep ones mouth shut. 

[tatsblisters 7,914]

On 07/12/2022 at 21:49, Rabbit Hunter said:

Someone who does the job humanely and treats the dogs, quarry and land with respect.

I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the old school terrier men from my area and all of them were what you describe in your comment.

[Gypsydog94 4,326]

48 minutes ago, tatsblisters said:

I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the old school terrier men from my area and all of them were what you describe in your comment.

I was lucky to have one as a mentor unfortunately recently passed away. But grateful for what he taught me 

[tatsblisters 7,914]

5 minutes ago, Gypsydog94 said:

I was lucky to have one as a mentor unfortunately recently passed away. But grateful for what he taught me 

I have one now in his early 70s who i consider a good mate and can listen to him for hours even though he did pack in with the terriers and digging years ago. A few dog lads who visited him years ago used to be surprised at the pet vixen he had that he reared from a few days old that went to live into old age with him.

[Gypsydog94 4,326]

8 minutes ago, tatsblisters said:

I have one now in his early 70s who i consider a good mate and can listen to him for hours even though he did pack in with the terriers and digging years ago. A few dog lads who visited him years ago used to be surprised at the pet vixen he had that he reared from a few days old that went to live into old age with him.

Yeah this chap was late 60’s spent hours with him and always giving advice and not criticising. Never herd him bitch about another man or their dogs either. Will be missed around my area a true countryman.