After Advice On What Breed To Get.

[FreddieMeggs 1]

I'm looking to get a terrier some time soon, I'm pretty sure I've got everything I need to get started..terrier finder, kennel, permission etc. So now just a dog.

 

I'm good friends with a, now retired, huntsman of 30 years who kept and worked terriers all of his working life. He no longer keeps terriers but is happy to help me out should I need him to.

 

So the question is which breed to go for? My mate (mentioned above) always kept fell/patterdales and his favourite, the border. I have no prejudices against any breed of terrier other than being told not to go for a jrt or lakeland as they can be snappy,but I'm sure this could be overcome when rearing a pup.

 

I do like borders, partly because my friend speaks so highly of them but patterdales, Jrts, lakeys etc seem more popular.

 

In regards to the work I want to be doing..ratting is the main attraction, working on and having access to various livestock farms there will be plenty of rats to go at daily. I also have permission to dig foxes with a dog, I am hoping the dog I go for will be capable of doing this but it would be much less regularly than the ratting, maybe 3-4 days a month during the winter period. I also do a fair bit of ferreting but have lurchers so wouldn't be an essential skill for a terrier.

 

So do I need a different dog or breeds of dogs for ratting and for digging or should one dog be happy doing both? I am only looking to get one dog to start with but would definitely consider getting another should all go well with the first.

 

Which breed is best, in your opinion, for me to have?

 

Any pointers on where to get a well bred pup would also be appreciated. I am planning on kennelling the pup outside but have heated kennels and the pup will be with me all day at work.

 

Thanks in advance. Freddie.

[General lee 979]

Fell type or bedlington type

[s.e.s.k.u 1,893]

Jrt..good luck with the search. Atb sesku

[foxbolter 447]

Jrt from good working perants

[Zilverhaze 1,627]

i whuld let the retired 30 year vetaran pick me somthing up of one of his contacts and then ask him whuld he like to acompany you when your out working the dog

Edited April 9, 2015 by Zilverhaze

[FreddieMeggs 1]

Hadn't really considered bedlington type terriers but I'll look into them. He will be coming to help choose a pup from a litter once I've found one. He could help me source a pup but only from 100% earth dogs. Is ratting something a terrier should take to even if it comes from earth dogs or would I be better finding a pup from parents that have done plenty of ratting?

[Zilverhaze 1,627]

get a earth dog from your freind as any dog will do rats but not any dog will work earths so you want one with the tools tol do the job when the time arrives

[leethedog 3,071]

As been said get your pal to source you a pup I know that would of been my first port of call if the opportunity was there for me because it is extremely hard for newbies like you qnd me to get a half way decent dog infact it takes a miracle

Edited April 9, 2015 by leethedog

[FreddieMeggs 1]

I'll go see him tonight to see if he know of any litters coming up. Thanks for the input guys. Any pics of working borders or fell types would be good if anyone's got any. Cheers.

[tinytiger 831]

get a plummer ..great ratters and cover dogs..some make digging dogs some

[FreddieMeggs 1]

I have been considering a plummer for a while but they seem quite hard to get a hold of, don't know anyone that breeds them and hardly ever ads online.

[Cleanspade 3,322]

there are no shortage of plummer pups. there is however a shortage of plummers bred for working below ground. if its rats and rabbits. ferreting bushing your into then the plummer is worth a look. they really are hard to better for this. but if earthwork is crucial then i would look to dogs bred by lads that do this week in week out. otherwise you may be disappointed unless you can find plummers bred with this in mind . its worth remembering that whatever you choose if the dog is to be used rarely for earthwork. it may be even more important to you that it is capable of this task.

[Wirey 23]

Really depends on what your looking to do with the terrier...