what makes a good ferreting dog,

[Guest davieboy]

breeds, traits ect what do you feel makes up a good companion to go ferreting, apart from not eating rabbits as they hit the net!

[c2c 0]

my mate always takes his plummers when he goes ferreting i don't take any of mine as they would smash a ferret to pieces so i don't bother taking them with us

[Guest manda]

any dog can as long as it has been well introduced and has learnt their not to eat, but whatever you do don't expect it to be still alright with the ferret if it aint been out with it for a while or is frustrated from not catching owt

[Guest SJM]

I rarely go ferreting these days but I used to do a lot and for me the requirements were that the dog had to be trained to sit or lie whilst the nets were being set, theres nothing worse than a dog wandering around all over the warren poking its head down holes and messing up the nest youve just set once the nets are down the dog needs to learn to come over and sit or stand beside you and remain motionless until the action begins, once rabbits start to move around inside the warren, and eventually bolt, I let the dog find its own best position over the bury. I dont mind a dog which holds a rabbit in a purse net by mouthing it gently, standing over it, or trapping it between its paws, as I used to ferret alone 99% of the time and if two or three rabbits bolt from a warren at the same time, its handy to have an extra pair of hands (paws ) and the dog can keep one at bay whilst you try your best to sort the other 2 out. Recall has to be 100%, as well as retreive, if the dog chased the rabbit and misses, it needs to come straight back and be ready for the next bolt. If it catches, it needs to carry the rabbit back to save you having to leave your post at the warren incase another one bolts. These are the basic requirements I like in a dog from a training perspective.

 

From the perspective of the dogs natural abilities, it needs to have a keen nose and be able to mark well. It needs to have a fairly decent jacket as you get cold standing around and keeping still so a thin coated dog will quickly get shivery. It needs to have quick reactions and a good mouth to strike at the bolting rabbits as soon as it can lift them. It needs to have a good concerntration span as its no good listening and watching for ten minutes and then wandering off for a sniff or a roll in the grass and then a couple of conies bolt

 

Most dogs will do for ferreting but Ive always liked working with collie crosses as they absorb the training very quickly and have lots of natural initiative, once they know the job, you rarely have to tell them what to do, an odd whispered command or hand signal or click of the fingers here and there, but most of the time they seem to know instinctively what to do next

[bill88 6]

Each to there own,but i cannot fault my Beddyxwhippet.We got her purely for ferreting and mooching,and she hasn't let us down.Been out with the ferts since 6 months of age,and been given some easy slips on the lamp over the last 6 weeks (shes just coming up 12 months of age) She never makes a sound,does exactly what she's told,and seems to have a sixth sense,where the bolters are concerned.She's very quiet and very good natured,but a different dog altogether once in the field,and will think nothing of crashing into cover to get her quarry.

 

 

[gnipper 6,405]

It must mark, a chihuaha would be useful if it marked. The dog doesn't have to be able to catch, thats what nets are for.

[Guest SJM]

rabbits can sometimes shrug off even the best set nets, so I cant agree with that, the dog most definately has to be able to catch a bolting rabbit to be of any use. Besides, ferreting rabbits for lurchers, with no nets is the most enjoyable part of ferreting

[Magpie 102]

It's simple really. Brains, attention span, obedience, good nose and acceleration. A good weather proof coat helps, nothing worse than seeing a thin coated sighthoundy dog shivering.

[the fezz 44]

this is my ferreting crew

 

 

i would be lost without my border shes 100% marker 18months old

 

 

and my grews there 15months old and have picked up ferreting well

 

a good ferreting dog should be able to mark , leave rabbits in the nets but be ready to catch any that miss or bolt when your dealing with a rabbit or a net . Fezz

[gunner1966 0]

BEDDY X WHIPPIT

[reddog70 236]

some good advice there from the others...and a dog that digs out its own rabbits is always usefull

[reddog70 236]

a terrier and lurcher combination can also sometimes work, small dogs can tuck themselves away and watch the holes that maybe difficult to net

[reddog70 236]

reply to weetan, it can b used instead of a purse net in the out of reach places usseful when ferreting alone or brambles enbankments etc

[reddog70 236]

the rabbit flips a swinging door on entry that shuts behind it then it cant go back out giving you time to get there

[Guest john2007oliver]

I reckon most important is marking, my dog does it when it wants It will usually mark by sticking its head half way dwn a hole looking at me then moving round doing that to the strongest scent, but this weekend she walked to a 2-3 holer stood next to it without moving looking at me as if to say hurry up there something in here then went and sat down ready to wait. So hopefully its proof of improving her technique. Hopefully

 

My dog will mark (when it wants) Sits why you do the nets stays where you put her [bANNED TEXT] ferreting or will wait were she wants if left to it. She crunches the bunnies in the nets but it better than them getting away and quite often will start cleaning herself just as a rabbit bolts and give it a good head start but its my dog and my first running dog so she was never going to be perfect