Are Good Terriers Born Or Made?

[foxbolter 447]

Rabbit hunter I agree

[leegreen 2,221]

Good dogs are born, great dogs are made.

 

I think I've said that before .

[Zerky 133]

Just cause u get the best out of a dog zerky doesn't always make them good dogs

I agree, getting the most out of a mediocre dog on the other hand shows the strength and knowledge of the terrierman.

Edited March 11, 2015 by Zerky

[Thrush 181]

Born!

If it ain't got the minerals you can bring it on anyway you want and it just won't happen.

Is a no brainier really and anybody who knows about earthwork will say the same.

It's luck of the draw that's why you get occasional good dogs out of shite and really well bred litters that come to nothing!

Is all about trying to increase your chances.

You can ruin a good dog but you can't make one!

[snizle06 202]

This thread reminds me of a lad I no saying that his terrier would only work for him lol. If the right stuff isn't in them they won't stick serious digging, yes you may get the odd freak but that terrier will very rarely reproduce anything better than itself. Put a well bred young dog in a few situations and he will be like a duck to water.

[Mosby 355]

Snizle, some good dogs really will only work for one person. A lot of terrier work is based on mutual trust between the dog and its master. The dog needs to know the person above him will dig to him and help in the end. The master needs to know that his digging will not go to waste.

If your dog doesn't trust you, it will not work as well as it could.

[Glyn..... 5,208]

Born and made or ruined by man

[Taggy123 59]

I agree mosby, one of my terriers im sure if i lent him out to a stranger he wwouldn't work for them. If i go to his kennel hes bouncing up the wire. If i go yo his kennel with anyone else other than my digging partner he will stand at the back of the kennel shaking lol! A right weird character but handy dog.

[snizle06 202]

The dog is alone when he is 6 foot under the surface in a big sprawling earth. The best digging dogs I have seen worked there hearts out, because they had the will to work they were not trying to please anyone. They had massive prey drive.

[jeemes 4,524]

THEY ARE MADE THEN BORN.

[fat man 4,741]

If a dog wants it then it will go if not you wont make it go,same as a terrier in the ground taking stick,if it did not want to be there it would come away,but you can also break a good dog,too much too soon,work them sore,over match them,a young terrier starting out needs to be kept winning in its 1st season,then 2nd season you can see exactly what you have reared.jmo.

[Tallywacker 262]

If there meant to be great they'll be great! No matter what....

[Hydropotesinermis 724]

A bit of both, some dogs will never make anything, just like people, then again some people are shit dog handlers. Give them the best dog ever bred and it will turn out crap, the best dogs come from a puppy with potential and an experienced, sympathetic trainer who understands how to get that potential out.

[Mosby 355]

The idea that a good one will make the grade no matter what, is the idea that ruins great dogs in the hands of fools. That's my perspective on the matter.

[Mosby 355]

And gets a lot of dogs culled that didn't need to be.