Working/Sporting Terrier

[Simoman 110]

I recently had a conversation with somebody about terriers which irritated me and wondered if anyone would disagree with my opinion.

 

A women I know has a 3 year old Lakeland bitch( always described by her as a "working" Lakeland) purchased form a breeder who I beleived added show stock that has seen nothing apart from the odd bunny and rat encountered during exercise. She has mated this bitch to a KC registered Parson that has "been ratting". These pups are to be advertised as "working Terriers" when sold. The purpose of the breeding is to keep a pup back but I wondered how many people would have the gaul to advertise this litter as working terriers? To me a working terrier would be a terrier that goes to ground regularly and has proven itself over time in different situations. A terrier that spends its time ratting, rabbiting (I have one here) I would class as a sporting terrier, definately not a working terrier. Personally I don't think the litter should be advertised as anything other than pets but am I being a grumpy fart? I know far too many people with various sporting breeds who are breeding from rubbish just for the ££ or because "it would be nice to have a litter"...........

[Guest rio]

simoman i agree with you they vcant be classed as working terriers when you read things like that and speek to people like that you realise how theres so much shit floating about

[Simoman 110]

Its not just terriers, I know people with gundogs who are planning litters("the grandfather was a shooting dog you know" ) when the dogs have never seen a shoot in their life. I wish people would think before supplying the next litter for the dogs home. My Patterdale bitch isn't tested so for the sake of the pups, potential owners and the working terrier itself I had her neutered.........

[potstillgold 2]

I think there will be a few comments on this thread, Mate!

 

I agree with you; working shouldn't be mentioned as the parents weren't working dogs. I'd also agree with your criteria for working dogs.

 

It's difficult to measure a pups potential either way: both parents could be workers but the pup useless or perhaps a pup from distant working lines might turn out to be a real keen worker. Begs question of how much of the work is learned behaviour and how much of it instinctive.

 

I would say that anyone announcing pups for sale should stick to the facts and be conservative of potential.

 

Afterall, someone's best dog might be someone else's third stringer!

"Caveat Emptor"

 

[cúagusgiorraí 57]

I believe that you really shouldnt breed from a dog unless it is a really good worker. It helps in making better quality in the breed. A working terrier would be a terrier that has continually prooved itself, and does the job well, he was born to do the job. I wouldnt even class my dogs as workers, because they are just pets that I go hunting with regularly. I wouldnt breed from mine as well. There are too many people around messing about breeding dogs. I really respect breeders who keep and develope working breeds.

[Guest tawny]

I recently had a conversation with somebody about terriers which irritated me and wondered if anyone would disagree with my opinion.

couldent agree with you more mate,earthdogs are the real working terriers,

and then there are bushing ,terriers and the ratter,s

[gogogadget 1]

once went to look at some pups which parents were "working terriers" when we got there the bitch was nothing but a house dog,and the dog couldnt be seen, asked what they had been worked with and was told that it chases rabbits when we go walking and it once killed next doors guinea pig!!! we just smirked to ourselves an left her with them!some people just add "working parents" as a selling point.

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

Been nodding vehemantly throughout every word spoken so far. I especially liked your own statement, Simon; " Breeding the next litter for the Dogs Home ". SO f*cking true!

 

Not long been home now myself. Last words I spoke to my mate were to the effect that my Big Dog was promised to my sister, and a life of aimlessly wandering around a huge, Scotish country estate and scaring the shit out of anyone with mal intent. Mheanwhile, my Small Dog has grown into proving herself an utter and total waste of space and food. Cest la vie. I bought her on spec' and with no words exchanged. I 'paid my money and made my choice'. Didn't pay off. Now I'll have her speyed and she'll be on her way too - if I can Ever find anyone I'd trust to keep her for the rest of her natural life as a well cared for and otherwise completely useless 'pet'.

 

Failing that? She stays with me and is well cared for. As I said to my mate just an hour ago; 'In my view? Ye breed them: Ye Feed them!'.

 

Imagine me putting Small Dog in the free ad's with the prefix " Working ". She'd be whacked with a spade within twenty four hours. Then I'd have some deeply pissed off guy looking for me! She'd make (and does) a fine Pet. No point trying to foist any Dog off as something it's not. Only ends in tears.

[cúagusgiorraí 57]

that it chases rabbits when we go walking and it once killed next doors guinea pig!!!

 

Brilliant!

[boris b 1]

working is working , as long as you make it clear to what level i dont see the problem . its when people kid themselves about what the dog does that problems arise .

[roybo 2,873]

but what about the terrier that works rats for a living ,

or the dog that goes to ground for the owners SPORT?

just being devil's advocate

no i think thats a fair way to put it ,sporting terrier or working terrier

Edited November 29, 2007 by roybo

[Guest tawny]

i supose the same could be said about lurchers to,

a hunting lurcher,is he working more than a lamper ?

or does a spanial work more than a peg dog,

 

iff they work for you that's all that matters

[moley 115]

iff they work for you that's all that matters

 

sensible words ,

[Malt 379]

Interesting thread here, guys!

I think when most people talk about 'working' dogs, they are mostly talking about 'Field' bred dogs.

I get your the point about a working terrier, a terrier could only be classed as working if it's doing the job that it has been bred for.

Like, you could have a GSD as a guard dog, but it could only be classed as a working GSD, if it was being used for hearding. Likewise, a spaniel for flushing, a lab for retrieving, etc.

[TonyT2 0]

bull shit................so if a lad buys or breeds a dogs for ratting / rabbits etc.............what the f**k is it doing playing?

If youre selling digging dogs......fair enough....dont pretend your pet does the job...........theres ALOT of little boys

who TALK about there digging dogs.........think this records stuck.

 

T