Best for marking?

[Malt 379]

If you had to choose between a terrier & lurcher purely for marking occupied rabbit buries, which one do you reckon would do the job best?

 

I'm not talking about an all round ferreting companion.

 

I'd put the case forward for the terrier, It's been bred to find quarry in the ground. I'm not saying that a lurcher can't do it, especially one with terrier in it's make up. I just reckon if you took 100 dogs of each type a higher % of the terriers would turn out to be accurate markers. Obviously there are exceptions, I'm just talking generally.

 

For the record, I've got both types in my team. Opinions would be welcome.

Edited September 6, 2010 by maltenby

[Malt 379]

Come on lads, if you're going to vote try to give a reason.

[dytkos 17,821]

A good terrier would be better than a poor lurcher and vice versa. Don't think theres any difference in the qualities of the breeds, just in the individual dogs. I've seen both very good (and very bad) examples of both breeds:thumbs:

Cheers, D.

[Jamie m 668]

Don't really need to worry where we live every burrow is lined with gold

[Malt 379]

Don't really need to worry where we live every burrow is lined with gold

 

That's no fecking good, I go out for rabbits not gold.....

[Ideation 8,216]

I think on average terriers make for a better marking dog with regards to the ease with which they pick it up and how good they are at it, i really believe that most terriers can learn to mark. Lurchers seem to take a little longer to click and some just dont get it, especially certain breeds. However a lurcher that does mark is better for me than a terrier that does because they tend to be quieter and less insistent on trying to get to the rabbit themselves. Mind you most lurchers that i have seen mark well seem to have learnt from the terriers they are worked with.

[Ideation 8,216]

Don't really need to worry where we live every burrow is lined with gold

 

 

You lucky mate . . . . . where do you live? Where we are there are plenty of rabbits but even more warrens.

[the fezz 44]

i cant really vote as ive had a great lurcher that marked true and was also good at letting you now where the ferret was in the warren , she would stare at the ground and sure as , thats where you would be digging , plus i have a good wee terrier that marks true so good and bad in both

[Jamie m 668]

Don't really need to worry where we live every burrow is lined with gold

 

 

You lucky mate . . . . . where do you live? Where we are there are plenty of rabbits but even more warrens.

Down south

[stealthy1 3,964]

I once had a Jack Russel that could mark, but he was a pain in the arse, always disapearing down holes, and running at the ferrets but not biting them, but you could see in the back of his mind that the thought was there My lurcher never does anything wrong, and walks to the ferrets, and does'nt disturb the nets, so I voted lurcher

[jf1970 328]

can you teach a dog to mark or do they have to learn themselves?cheers......john

[Ideation 8,216]

can you teach a dog to mark or do they have to learn themselves?cheers......john

 

They just pick it up mate, if you encourage or praise them too much it can lead to false marking.

[jf1970 328]

can you teach a dog to mark or do they have to learn themselves?cheers......john

 

They just pick it up mate, if you encourage or praise them too much it can lead to false marking.

how do you tell,does their body language change,my lurcher is only 5 1/2 mths old but my cocker ,when we are out,some burrows she will just ignore other she will stick her head or body down the hole as far as she can have a good then come back up,look at me then back for a sniff again,is this her marking?cheers......john

[jonnytraff 8]

i voted lurcher because they are alot quieter above ground and more patient. and as stated they don't disturb nets whilst working a warren.. just my opinion.. ATB jon

[Ideation 8,216]

can you teach a dog to mark or do they have to learn themselves?cheers......john

 

They just pick it up mate, if you encourage or praise them too much it can lead to false marking.

how do you tell,does their body language change,my lurcher is only 5 1/2 mths old but my cocker ,when we are out,some burrows she will just ignore other she will stick her head or body down the hole as far as she can have a good then come back up,look at me then back for a sniff again,is this her marking?cheers......john

 

Sounds like it could be - test her with the ferrets, you'll soon know.