How versatile can a terrier be?

[Bossie 90]

Hey Guys,

Since last year I'm really getting into ferreting. I've got two new jills coming in august, bred from working lines. ATM I'm also thinking about which companion I should get to work with. I have several permissions, one which is quite big and several which included quite heavy cover.

 

Maybe you can help me decide, or at least help me gain some insight in what terriers can or can't do.

 

Few things to keep in mind:

 

The Dutch legislation does not allow lurchers/sighthounds to be used during hunting. I like lurchers but it's not wise to get one, or it should look like it isn't a lurcher which probably defeats the purpose of having one in the first place.

 

I will only be ferreting, I do not hunt for fox or anything else. Just rabbit. The dog does not have to go below ground.

 

I will be ferreting a lot on my own. Sometimes different/new permissions.

 

This dog will also be kept indoors.

 

 

Thing I wonder about concerning terriers and terriers X:

 

I wonder if JRs or crosses have a nose which is good enough to find some game in a new permission. Especially when the cover is really thick and I can't see the holes myself.

I wonder if a small or medium sized terrier will be able to work big permissions and if his nose will be up to the task?

Should I maybe get something like an Epagneul Breton or maybe a ESS?

If the dog does not have to go below ground, is a terrier than still a good choice? I do really like terrier character, maybe that's why I find it difficult to decided against it.

 

Dogs I like:

 

JR

Patterdale

Boerenfox (old dutch working breed farm dog terrier X)

Working terrier

Spaniel X

Edited May 25, 2012 by Bossie

[buster gonads 862]

I wouldnt discount working Beddlington,s and Plummers, Plummers have a very good nose on them for terriers and bush for fun, but good luck with what ever you choose Bossie, ATB, buster.

[LolaPat 49]

Get a Plummer terrier. Quite leggy for long days and big permission also have a great nose. Will bash through all cover as well.

[TOPPER 1,809]

working bred bedlington or bedlington x whippet the most versitlie dogs on the market

[LolaPat 49]

working bred bedlington or bedlington x whippet the most versitlie dogs on the market

 

 

I wouldn't say there all the best, you get good and bad in everything. Nowadays beddy's are not worth a w4nk in this country unless you know some who has kept a good line for the past 30 years

Edited May 25, 2012 by LolaPat

[poacher3161 1,766]

Spaniel cross more versatile for ferreting than any terrier and less likely to go to ground.

[lapin2008 1,587]

Saw a little wirehaired visla X Whippet (in holland as well) that looked fairly subtle as a running dog but was plenty quick enough, and would have made a good enough ferreting dog. It must have been about 22"

[buster gonads 862]

working bred bedlington or bedlington x whippet the most versitlie dogs on the market

I would have said Beddy X Whippet, but he says you cant use lurchers in Holland and we think we,v got it bad. buster. Edited May 25, 2012 by buster gonads

[lapin2008 1,587]

working bred bedlington or bedlington x whippet the most versitlie dogs on the market

I would have said Beddy X Whippet, but he says you cant use lurchers in Holland and we think we,v got it bad. buster.

Its really strict out there, sighthounds have to be mussle when being walked etc

[jawn 449]

By wohleb12 at 2011-12-09

 

No question in my mind. I use these guys for everything. They're up for whatever.

[jawn 449]

This one came from Fronc Zdeno in Slovakia. Smart as they come, but gritty. He was just a pup here, but I have an older brother and two older sisters. They all do whatever I ask of them.

[pbrookes 450]

Have you thought about a reverse 3/4 bred collie greyhound (3/4 collie 1/4 greyhound) had one that was a top ferreting dog and just looked like a leggy collie. Personally I think terriers are a pest when ferreting. Some will probably disagree but the ones I have had/been out with have been

[morton 5,368]

working bred bedlington or bedlington x whippet the most versitlie dogs on the market

 

 

I wouldn't say there all the best, you get good and bad in everything. Nowadays beddy's are not worth a w4nk in this country unless you know some who has kept a good line for the past 30 years

Another who,s never seen a Working Bedlington,thus that means there cannot possibly be any,yawn.

[BEARINATOR 2,872]

working bred bedlington or bedlington x whippet the most versitlie dogs on the market

 

 

I wouldn't say there all the best, you get good and bad in everything. Nowadays beddy's are not worth a w4nk in this country unless you know some who has kept a good line for the past 30 years

Another who,s never seen a Working Bedlington,thus that means there cannot possibly be any,yawn.

Excellent dogs when you have a good one

[LolaPat 49]

working bred bedlington or bedlington x whippet the most versitlie dogs on the market

 

 

I wouldn't say there all the best, you get good and bad in everything. Nowadays beddy's are not worth a w4nk in this country unless you know some who has kept a good line for the past 30 years

Another who,s never seen a Working Bedlington,thus that means there cannot possibly be any,yawn.

 

I never said they were not good,if fact they were superb in there day. I said 99% of them in this era are no good. There is still good ones out there but You will struggle finding a good workin bedlington line unless you go deep into Europe.