Hardest earthdog?

[Benellisupernova 104]

Heey everybody, I want to buy my 1st terrier. I've been going with a friend whos been with terriers for many years and now want one of my own. What is the best dog for fox, one that wont take too much unwanted punishment but can handle a fox below ground if needed? What is the toughest breed? I was thinking about a patterdale as most people i have been going with have them and they seem to be good little dogs, what are your opinions? I'll be greatfull for any help. Thankyou.

[ratattack 111]

Why does everyone want a hard terrier for foxes....is it to compensate for something else thats lacking?????

 

A smart dog is better than a hard dog anyday! Sounds like your mate who's been into terriers for years has been filling your head with shite!

 

A good first terrier would be a nice rough haired russell, cheap to buy, easy to find and easy to train.

[RIOHH 30]

My opinion is that breed doesnt matter as lond as its doing what you want. If its a pup your after then get you friends to have a word with theres and see if they no anyone breeding worker to worker. I personally havnt worked a pure patterdae but have seen my mates worked, they all come with different temprements, some are too hard, some are mute and some are spot on. It all depends on what you want the dog to do.

 

I like a dog to push its quarry into a stop end and work it. Im not keen on terriers that steam in at full speed and just grab hold and take unnecessary punishment. That is just my opinion my perfect dog may not be the same as yours.

 

Too answer your question the lakeland X patterdale is becoming a more popular cross but patterdales will always be prefered.

 

ATB martin

[MOO 730]

A well bread Norfolk ...but not the kc stuff

[atchy =] 2]

i am a fan of the way that patterdales look especially nuttalls old stock i also like a well built rough coated russell ... i personally have a lakey ... my man is right about the lakey x pats seeming to be ever popular ... go for what ever breed takes your fancy ... dont get a hard dog because when it does get stuck in its left in the kennel to heal ... and not out working .... you also get a few funny looks when out walking it ....get ya self a lakey pal ... i like to see them working !

[Benellisupernova 104]

Thanks everybody for your comments, i'm thinking of a lakey x patt!! "rat attack", thanks for commenting but who are you to say that when you dont even know them? thanku

[ratattack 111]

Thanks everybody for your comments, i'm thinking of a lakey x patt!! "rat attack", thanks for commenting but who are you to say that when you dont even know them? thanku

 

Simple

 

Your first post is about getting a HARD terrier for your first terrier, no doubt your terrier mate has told you you need a hard terrier...therefore filling your head with shite! I bet he has hard dogs

 

A smart dog that works his quarry well and dosn't get mashed up is a good dog to own, a dog with a face of scars or missing bits is great to show how tough he is but will spend most of the season in the kennel with his face like a balloon and no good for f**k all!!

 

But hey it's your dog you can listen and have plenty quality digs a season or a handful of digs to a mashed dog who is stuck in the kennel for weeks on end ...your choice

[Benellisupernova 104]

Ok, i understand what your saying but i was only askin what breed was the hardest terrier not that i wanted one that will get messed up like his. He has many terriers so it's ok for him but i want one which will be smart as you say but one that would be able to get close up and take a fox underground if needed as we have many rock earths where i live which cant be dug.

[RIOHH 30]

Ok, i understand what your saying but i was only askin what breed was the hardest terrier not that i wanted one that will get messed up like his. He has many terriers so it's ok for him but i want one which will be smart as you say but one that would be able to get close up and take a fox underground if needed as we have many rock earths where i live which cant be dug.

 

 

Please tell me if im readin this right, you want the dog to be able to kill foxes in the rock earths ?

 

Dont meen this to be vindictive just want to make sure im reading it right.

 

ATB martin

[atchy =] 2]

all you want for rock spots are dogs that out and out bolt foxes ... rock spots are horrible places to have your dog stuck

[ratattack 111]

So your first post should have said i'm looking for a terrier that will bolt foxes from rock earths and not get involved with them.

 

A hard terrier is not what you need. You need a very clever dog to work a rock earth and to be fair i wouldn't even consider entering a dog into a rock earth if i thought it would tackle a fox where it can't be dug. You need to rethink what you want the dog to do. Border/lakey cross or a russell would be where i would be thinking.

[RIOHH 30]

After speaking to you via pm my opinion would be get yourself a russel or russel cross for bolting in the rock earths and then get yourself somthing like a lakie X patt for digging to.

 

ATB martin

[consett lad 43]

im a big fan of pats and lakes both do a good from what i have seen over years

[brin 2]

i am a fan of patts but its your choice in the end atb with your choice of terrier. what ever your choice i hope it does the job for you

[BlackBuckOne 1]

Thanks everybody for your comments, i'm thinking of a lakey x patt!! "rat attack", thanks for commenting but who are you to say that when you dont even know them? thanku

 

Simple

 

Your first post is about getting a HARD terrier for your first terrier, no doubt your terrier mate has told you you need a hard terrier...therefore filling your head with shite! I bet he has hard dogs

 

A smart dog that works his quarry well and dosn't get mashed up is a good dog to own, a dog with a face of scars or missing bits is great to show how tough he is but will spend most of the season in the kennel with his face like a balloon and no good for f**k all!!

 

But hey it's your dog you can listen and have plenty quality digs a season or a handful of digs to a mashed dog who is stuck in the kennel for weeks on end ...your choice

 

 

Sound advice.

 

Terriers are bred to work a fox, not attack it and try and kill it each time, so ignore those who boast about hard dogs being the best as they are talking utter shite.

 

Any working terrier will get a few smacks from Charlie, that's the nature of their job, but the best ones stand back and work it and don't take excessive punishment. As Ratattack says above, you'll get far more enjoyment out of a dog you can work most days than one with half it's jaw missing, or which gets smashed up each time it goes to ground then has to sit it out for half a season recovering.

 

If you also read the National Working Terrier Web site, their code of conduct actually recommends that hard dogs should not be used, and those who continually do use one are the sort of person who gives our sport a bad name and fueling ammunition to the Anti's.

 

That's not to say if you keep several dogs there isn't room for a hard dog in your kennel, sometimes they can be useful but they should be used sparingly.

 

However, for your first dog a hard dog is NOT something you need.

 

The other thing is you haven't a clue when you buy a pup if it will work or not. You can help bring a pup on, but my best working Russell showed no interest in going to ground for two years and I nearly gave up on her, now you have to hold her back and she's turned into the best working dog I've got and she's never let me down since.

 

Cheers

 

Black Buck One