i'm giving up terrier work

[omegathelast 160]

I have just stumbled across this searching for something else. It is very sad that in many cases visible terrier work is essentially now the preserve of the idiots and petty criminals and that people like Cleanspade feel the way they do about the sport. It is true there are some people still working terriers properly but the ones I know are off the radar working on shoots and controlling vermin properly away from the masses. They are a minority.

 

We gave up terrier work years ago despite loving the sport and being obsessed with our little heroes. That love of both never leaves you. However, despite always being on permission, working totally within the law and conducting ourselves in a highly professional manner showing utmost respect for the quarry and controlling foxes in the most humane and selective way possible, we simply got tired of looking over our shoulders and being associated with the lunatics that were getting involved in the sport. The sadest fact is that the image of terrier work was demolished by despicable people within the sport, not by the antis or public. The truth is these people broke the law, were cruel and had zero respect for anything and through their often very public actions provided the anti's and media all the ammunition they ever needed. The art of terrier work was in decline 25 years ago, fact.

 

I now also fear the same for legitimate lurcher work and the smattering of what is have left in terms of lawful terrier work. After a break from everything for a number of years I have attended a few shows here and there and I despair at the prolification of bull cross monstrosities that have no place in the lurcher world. What are these dogs for? I am sure the anti's and wildlife crime officers have a very clear view and sadly, in many cases they must be right. The bravado and innendo coming from the individuals who own these animals is driving the last nail into the coffin of a sport that could once be very proud of itself, whereas now it is once again being pushed into the merky shadows. It is very, very sad. For the first time ever the word lurcher is now widely being associated with badger digging convictions and other illegal activities. I understand the idea of adding a dash of bull blood to a lurcher line to add various attributes but that has nothing to do with the scarred animals I have seen that visually have more resemblance to a american pit bull terrier that a rabbiting lurcher.

 

I think the days of legitimate working terriers may have regrettably gone forever and legitimate lurcher work is not far away from the same fate if we are not careful. The only hope is the responsible people in the sport come together very quickly to defend what was and is still for some a way of life and an important part of our heritage. This would have to include self-policing and zero tolorance of all that is wrong in the sport. For example, just like bull terriers were systematically banned from shows in the late eighties I believe high percentage bull crosses need to be banned alltogether from shows now and any wrong doing should be reported. In my view the only way forward is for any and all hunting with dogs to be licensed and regulated by a body such as defra as anyone who practices legitimate, responsible and humane fieldsports would have absolutely nothing to hide or worry about.

 

The great irony of the moment, of course, is the fact we have the most pro-hunting Government for decades and there is a real opportunity to salvage something if and when the Act is repealed. I believe the detail of the new Bill following repeal should and will introduce the aformentioned licencing and regulation to get it through Parliment and in my view this should encompasse all forms of hunting with dogs and would require various tests to be met such as written permission to control vermin, vet checks etc. That would give legitamicy and longevity to the sport whilst flushing out the morons, idiots and outlaws that are, and have been systematically destroying our working dog heritage for decades.

 

Your way of life is in your own hands. Good luck.

Edited April 21, 2012 by omegathelast

[Cleanspade 3,324]

a very sobering and though provocking post. however i think there are more decent folk in the game than you give credit. i think times have changed more than people. and i dont see a repeal happening i'm happy controlling small pests now probably my age is a big factor.

[the_stig 6,614]

i'm happy controlling small pests now probably my age is a big factor.

you and me both and a day at the rats aint all bad

[omegathelast 160]

a very sobering and though provocking post. however i think there are more decent folk in the game than you give credit. i think times have changed more than people. and i dont see a repeal happening i'm happy controlling small pests now probably my age is a big factor.

 

I agree there are some very decent folk in the game and I didnt mean to suggest otherwise, some of the best people I have ever met over the years have been lurcher and terrier people. My point is they are driven to the periphery, particularly in terrier work, when in fact they should be at the fore. It was something in your original post that motivated me to post when you described the fact that those peaceful moments in the countryside with your terrier were now impossible. I identified with that sad reality. We will all always love working terriers but equally may need to thank the irresponsible that have been and are amongst us for their ultimate demise. Terrier work couldnt have been any better at giving itself a bad and unfair public image. Over the years much of the public I have spoken to and taken time to explain earth work to properly often concluded they thought it was actually ok, not what they expected and often, in their view, better than hunting with hounds or shooting as a method of essential control.

[young man 225]

Once a terrier man allways a terrier man

[the_stig 6,614]

keep your youself to yourself keep your mouth shut work within the law keep your digging mates tight ... and you cant go far wrong .

[the_stig 6,614]

Once a terrier man allways a terrier man

when you`ve been at it 40 year

[silverfoxsid08 27]

it is getting bad out there but as long as you do things right in the low then your doing your bit well thats what i think anyway

[Kye 77]

SOrry to hear that mate!...im certainly not sad to have left the UK...ive recently shed some burdens, people who i thought where friends, but turns out it just took me a very long time to realise what they REALLY where...just selfish, name worshipping pricks messing at the game....got a good group about us now, and building on better, brighter futures for the dogs we have.

All the very best for the future though mate.