what defines a working terrier?

[dee mac 579]

So because terrier means earth dog, you cant call a bulldog a bulldog if it doesnt bait bulls? Or cant own a Patterdale unless it comes from that area of Cumbria? How many times does it have to be dug to before its called Working? So many questions!

listen a terrier was bred to work underground and thats the yard stick there measured by if they dont work to ground in my opinion there still terriers as thats what they look like but they are nt working terriers some terriers excell at ratting bushing general mooching but to call them working in same breath as an earth dog is a slight in justice to the dog that works his heart out in the most demanding condtions asked of any dog so sporting for the non earth dogs sounds fair to me they many excell and work hard ratting and bushing and please there owners which is main thing but to call them working is a no no for me !

 

I imagine the people working Airedales/Kerry blues or wheatens would disagree with your statement..........and i think these TERRIER breeds would have quite a job getting to ground...........

vixen the kerry blue was never ever classed as working over here were it originated from they where well known for being gasy cowardly bastids that would bite you when your back was turned as for the airedales there a big bushing dog bred to look like an over sized welsh terrier then the wheaten yes worked to a certain extent to ground but would never of achieved much if it was nt for the earth dogs that dug the game for the trails years ago so they depended on proper working terriers i lost a very good dog today doing what he was bred to do and got his job done and completed but it cost him his life and you s people think this type of dog should be classed in the same league as a terrier that runs about yapping at bunnys and killing an over sized fcuking mouse get real you people you s are only kidding yourselfs!

 

They are still TERRIERS.............same as the yorkshire terrier whether you like it or not !!!!!!!!!!!

they may be terriers by name vixen but thats were it ends and only the type of dog i mentioned deserves the title working terrier end of story jawn one dimensional you say a dog that puts its life on the line in an earth is not one dimensional its has to find and locate its foe then bottle it up with a mix of cunning and brawn and then show the determination to stay and do that until it is dug too reguardless of what is threw at it so jog on your opinion is yours but it certainly is nt mine !

[aaron01 738]

Sorry for your loss...But your view of a working terrier is just that, your view. I've put several in the ground this year, last year, the year before doing what they were bred to do. And I'll likely do the same NEXT year.

 

I am not trying to deminsih the quality of your dog or the work it obviously did well. But I require more of a dog than just being about to work to ground. A one demensional dog isn't going to get the job done.

 

Again I'm truly sorry for your loss...good ones are hard to come by.

a working terrier can only dig the quarry that you can put in front of it if we had your type of quarry here the standard would be different but we don't so we class a terrier on its ability to stay till dug

[jawn 449]

More than likely it means that you've only worked terriers this way. Mister my hat is off to you, and I'm not making light of the task of a dog making a name for itself doing what you do. I'm truly sorry for your loss.

 

This pissing contest rarely results in meaningful understanding of what these little dogs truly are, or what they are capable of. The measuring stick for what is or isn't a working terrier isn't found on the internet. It's found in the earth, cactus or brush, in the rocks, or hanging off a bad boar hogs nose in a river as it fights for it's next breath. It's found when these dogs are spitting in the face of an animal that is hell bent on either escaping or killing the little dog making it difficult for them.

 

We are a subculture of a subculture as hunters go. For me it is like fishing for shark with light test. I need the absolute best string that I can find. But no one dog is the right one in every situation here. That's it... that's all. To that end an adaptable dog with plenty of grit is the right dog most days.

[coonboy 160]

after how many digs do yous class your dogs as proven ? i no it can all change from 1 dig but upuntill or if that happens how many digs till you say its proved its self ??

[BUBBLEFLOAT. 33]

after how many digs do yous class your dogs as proven ? i no it can all change from 1 dig but upuntill or if that happens how many digs till you say its proved its self ??

ffs dont ask an english man that they bred from dogs and bitches and the havnt seen a dig LOL

[coldweld 65]

terrier = digging dog

ratter /busher =sporting terriers

bigger terriers = bigger terriers

 

 

as for digging dogs refusing to face cover........they are digging dogs for a reason to dig to!

 

 

also there are one other type of terrier noone has mentioned ....the show terrier never seen a field or faced quarry or anything these terriers are usually called ..........borders!!!!!!!!!

little joke there ..but many a true word spoken in jest..

 

 

My son's Lakie bitch is used as a Deer Dog ! I have to prize her off Deer,Do you think a 12lb dog on a 70lb Fallow is a dog with heart.

 

I have no interest in digging to her as its not my thing( too much effort, with no food value], but she is the great sized dog for the job i want her to do,

 

So i know she an't an earth dog but her sometimes wounded quarry is a lot bigger than fox or rat and puts her life in danger with every wounded fallow or Muntjack, so is she a SUPER sporting terrier ?

Edited December 9, 2012 by coldweld

[Dunkanon 380]

So you can only give your dog the title terrier if he has proven him self by going to ground ?

 

You can call your dog anything you like mate thats your choice., me I dont call em terriers til dug to, thats my choice.. lad i know keeps a dog, looks likes a terrier, acts like a terrier, chases rats an rabbits...wont go to ground tho. You might call that a terrier, but i dont, I call that the deceased.

[jawn 449]

So you can only give your dog the title terrier if he has proven him self by going to ground ?

 

You can call your dog anything you like mate thats your choice., me I dont call em terriers til dug to, thats my choice.. lad i know keeps a dog, looks likes a terrier, acts like a terrier, chases rats an rabbits...wont go to ground tho. You might call that a terrier, but i dont, I call that the deceased.

 

Seems strange that you wouldn't want a dog that could do both. At least that way you would know that you had a dog that could track if need be. It's pretty simple to trash break a dog. Is it not common for your dogs to prefer toothed game to chasing bunnies once they've had a taste of it?

Edited December 9, 2012 by jawn

[hard grafter 277]

terrier = digging dog

ratter /busher =sporting terriers

bigger terriers = bigger terriers

 

 

as for digging dogs refusing to face cover........they are digging dogs for a reason to dig to!

 

 

also there are one other type of terrier noone has mentioned ....the show terrier never seen a field or faced quarry or anything these terriers are usually called ..........borders!!!!!!!!!

little joke there ..but many a true word spoken in jest..

 

 

My son's Lakie bitch is used as a Deer Dog ! I have to prize her off Deer,Do you think a 12lb dog on a 70lb Fallow is a dog with heart.

 

I have no interest in digging to her as its not my thing( too much effort, with no food value], but she is the great sized dog for the job i want her to do,

 

So i know she an't an earth dog but her sometimes wounded quarry is a lot bigger than fox or rat and puts her life in danger with every wounded fallow or Muntjack, so is she a SUPER sporting terrier ?

Wind your neck in man with your "super sporting terrier" as u said sometimes wounded deer!

[chilli 381]

When I was growing up & as a young man my dad always said to me that a terriers not a real dog unless it works to ground .

[hard grafter 277]

When I was growing up & as a young man my dad always said to me that a terriers not a real dog unless it works to ground .

when i was growing up my momma always said lifes like a box of chocolates

[aaron01 738]

after how many digs do yous class your dogs as proven ? i no it can all change from 1 dig but upuntill or if that happens how many digs till you say its proved its self ??

to me end of second season start of third when the dog has been tested you could call it a proven terrier but your better saying nothing and let the dog do the talking

[Dunkanon 380]

So you can only give your dog the title terrier if he has proven him self by going to ground ?

 

You can call your dog anything you like mate thats your choice., me I dont call em terriers til dug to, thats my choice.. lad i know keeps a dog, looks likes a terrier, acts like a terrier, chases rats an rabbits...wont go to ground tho. You might call that a terrier, but i dont, I call that the deceased.

 

Seems strange that you wouldn't want a dog that could do both. At least that way you would know that you had a dog that could track if need be. It's pretty simple to trash break a dog. Is it not common for your dogs to prefer toothed game to chasing bunnies once they've had a taste of it?

 

Where do i say I wouldnt want a dog that could do both? although its earth dogs Im interested in, My point is I consider a Terrier to be a dog that works below ground.

[digger. 615]

i was out today and someone asked me what dogs i had in my yard i said two lurchers and three little black things he said what ! i said you no black things! f**k if i was gona say the T word

[jawn 449]

So you can only give your dog the title terrier if he has proven him self by going to ground ?

 

You can call your dog anything you like mate thats your choice., me I dont call em terriers til dug to, thats my choice.. lad i know keeps a dog, looks likes a terrier, acts like a terrier, chases rats an rabbits...wont go to ground tho. You might call that a terrier, but i dont, I call that the deceased.

 

Seems strange that you wouldn't want a dog that could do both. At least that way you would know that you had a dog that could track if need be. It's pretty simple to trash break a dog. Is it not common for your dogs to prefer toothed game to chasing bunnies once they've had a taste of it?

 

Where do i say I wouldnt want a dog that could do both? although its earth dogs Im interested in, My point is I consider a Terrier to be a dog that works below ground.

 

Fair enough... around here locating is extremely important. If a dog is expected to find game it helps to know how good it's nose is.

 

Different strokes for different folks. No big deal.