Marking dog

[terryd 8,469]

I have a 5 year old cocker spaniel who is basically a house dog and addicted too food. But he shows great interest in rabbits I bring back with the air rifle. I wonder what my chances of turning him into a marking dog would be. I have not used ferrets for about 25 years but did love it. The only thing stopping me is the trying too ferret with out a marking dog. We have plenty of rabbits in the area but not great banks of warrens etc so I would be pushed too find inhabited holes. Saying that it might be better than trying too turn this dog into a great marker like my little jack Russell used too be

[The one 8,481]

You wont know till you try

[simonrocco 175]

as the one say youll have to get out and try it pal atb with it pal

[seany 54]

Im sure it would after seing a few in the nets let us know how you get on

 

ATB Seany

[rob190364 2,594]

addicted to food? take it you mean it's fat? no matter how greedy a dog is you're in control of the food pal, no excuse for a porky dog IMO.....whether worker or pet it should be fit and healthy.

 

Take him for a look round the warrens without ferrets to see what he does. Or see if someone with ferrets will take you out with them to see how he gets on?

[T42 44]

My terrier had never shown any interest in rabbits dead or alive, nevermind marked a hole before! I am in the same siuation as yourself regarding holes. (know open banks). I took him ferreting with me one day, went to a place where i had seen rabbits so i was certian they where there and he showed no interest in any holes; that was untill he saw them bolting!! After that he started working every hole he passed, then started to cast straight over some and mark others. Now he will take a line from the middle of a field and lead us straight to the hole! He has turned out to be very handy and has saved us hours in our day which we used to spend looking for holes and working empty warrens! . . . so theres definatly hope, give the dog a chance, you've got nothing to loose. ATB.

[rob190364 2,594]

My terrier had never shown any interest in rabbits dead or alive, nevermind marked a hole before! I am in the same siuation as yourself regarding holes. (know open banks). I took him ferreting with me one day, went to a place where i had seen rabbits so i was certian they where there and he showed no interest in any holes; that was untill he saw them bolting!! After that he started working every hole he passed, then started to cast straight over some and mark others. Now he will take a line from the middle of a field and lead us straight to the hole! He has turned out to be very handy and has saved us hours in our day which we used to spend looking for holes and working empty warrens! . . . so theres definatly hope, give the dog a chance, you've got nothing to loose. ATB.

Happy days!

[terryd 8,469]

Cheers every one as you say nothing too loose I will take him down too some bracken banks at the weekend and see what he makes of things

[terryd 8,469]

Well I took him today for the first time with a little outing with the ferret. BIt of a brambly pine wood but it has very few rabbits but is easy too keep an eye on him.

We never came across a rabbit but he gave a positive mark too a squirrel up a tree which really pleased me as he has never seen one in his life so this bodes well. He seems very good with the ferrets so far when I handle them in the yard but I will be keeping an eye on him.