Ferreting In Ireland

[LFM 0]

A change of tack from my last post. I'm looking for someone or group I can tag along with ferreting. Looking to break my whippet to ferrets and learn a bit without having to rear ferrets myself. I am planning to have my own ferrets when the dog is old enough to be entered but not at the moment as I don't think it'll be fair on them (ferrets) just yet as I'm working funny hours. Anyone in Munster or Connaught who'd be willing to let me tag along i'd be very grateful. Will bring tae and sandwichs !!!

[HuntandFish 31]

You have pup get a ferret now. Best way.I would not have another man's dog out with my ferrets unless they were steady to his. Good luck.

[LFM 0]

Cheers, to be honest I wouldn't have just turned up with the pup un-muzzled in case the worst happened. Thanks again

[krawnden 1,036]

Like LFM says get your own ferret. In my view it's not fair to expect somebody else to provide the ferts for you to break your dog to them.

[LFM 0]

Not being fair letting another man's ferrets help break my dog, I'm not asking to ride their sisters, just to help me break my dog as owning ferrets for the next 6 months isn't something I'm able to do. I've mentored a few people shooting and never had any problem letting responsible people along on hunts if they want to learn and I'd rather have witnessed a dog behaving correctly around ferrets and livestock than just taking someone's word on it. This attitude only leads to the decline of our field sports. Good luck lads enjoy your sport while it lasts.

[norseman 424]

no need to spit the dummy out, seriously though, even if you find someone that lets you break your dog to their ferrets. It wont happen over night. people have busy lives with other things to do. so getting someone with the same free time as yourself will be more difficult (and you say you work funny hours). meaning it could take forever to break the dog. and why not just worry about it when you get your own ferrets? im sure its not impossible to break and older dog to ferrets. whats the big rush? enjoy the time with the dog lamping ect.

 

hope ye get sorted though, but if you want something done do it yourself

[The one 8,487]

No being funny mate but would you let somebody you dont know tag along and break a unknown dog with your ferrets ?.It could go badly wrong for the ferret ?>

[krawnden 1,036]

I'm all for helping other people out and over the years have taken loads of different people hunting, coursing, shooting, lamping, ferreting and fishing. And I've been fortunate to have been invited out by plenty of people too. But IMO there's a big difference between taking a person out and putting an unknown dog with your ferrets. I did it once years ago - a lad asked if he could come ferreting with me and bring his dogs. He told me they were fine with ferrets. One of them was ok but the other most definitely wasn't - it went for my ferret and it's only the fact it happened right under my nose that I was quick enough to rescue the ferret.

 

Each to their own and if you can find someone who's ok about it then good on you. But I'm afraid for me it's a case of once bitten, twice shy.

[HuntandFish 31]

Breaking a dog to ferrets starts I'm the yard from six weeks old if possible with a court beside the pens and it's Needs daily attention like any training. Some people see a ferret as a disposable item one the same as the other I have spent years developing my own line.