COCK OF THE NORTH ---- RAT CONTEST

[dannys lad 0]

a carnt wait mate

[gogogadget 1]

DONT THINK IT'LL BE A FAIR CONTEST, SOUTHENERS HAVE THE BIGGEST RAT EVER LIVING ON THERE DOORSTEP IN LONDON, GORDON BROWN, IF THEY CATCH HIM THEY'LL WIN HANDS DOWN!!!!! US NORTHENERS WONT BE ABLE TO COMPETE!!!!

[saffy 0]

For those of you that know me you will know of my love of ferreting, but I also have a passion for ratting with terriers and have had for some 30 years. In this time I have seen some big numbers and some big rats, any way, we were talking in the shop today and have come up with the idea of a largest rat contest for the lads in the north, with pictures being posted in the shop, on here and in the countrymans weekly.We will be looking at a trophy and jacket as well as a monatry prize for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. We will be posting some rules on here and in an article in the countrymans weekly in the near future. Any ideas and constuctive critism will recieved warmly

 

what about the ones that have been stretched? do they count?

wow thats the most amazing photo ive seen in ages Farlap ...... ...........one of yours i presume?

[lacey1 71]

Here are 4 from yesterday we put them at the side of a spade blade to compare,these were the 4 biggest from a total of 90

 

 

 

Also that is the end of a size 11 wellington in the bottom left corner of 1 of the pics

Edited December 22, 2008 by lacey1

[Halfinch 51]

The idea was to run a local (in the north of england) competition, but seeing as there seems to be a decent response over the last couple of days, it may be worth while opening it up to all comers, we will have to set some rules sorted out first so we all know whats going on, I think I will take a look at Ditchys post a while back and see what we can use from that, and get it up and running ASAP

 

I think Ditch did the competition for a couple of years, and from what i can remember came up with a fair way to judge them,

I think ALL entries had to be laid next to a tape measure and measured from nose to tip of tail.

The trouble with putting it next to things like shovels and boots, is 1) they are all different sizes and 2) it's not an accurate undisputed measurement.

Good luck with running the comp, should get some nice size rats.

[rick 0]

The idea was to run a local (in the north of england) competition, but seeing as there seems to be a decent response over the last couple of days, it may be worth while opening it up to all comers, we will have to set some rules sorted out first so we all know whats going on, I think I will take a look at Ditchys post a while back and see what we can use from that, and get it up and running ASAP

excellent idea john i'm up for some of that keep me posted my dogs are itching to prove themselves

obvious to you and me the north will win this hands down

[Big bald beautiful 1,231]

Youve been stealing someone else spade i see lacey...

 

what the hell do i lean on now

[pointer 543]

good going lacey

[john hubery 9]

Ditchy’s title of KING RAT 2009 will stand and the competition will be opened up nationwide,

to all comers, it will be posted in The Countrymans Weekly, Earthdog Runningdog, and on this site

 

1. Only rats clearly displayed with a legible tape will be considered.

 

2. 'Size' accepted will be tip of nose to tip of tail, as clearly demonstrated by the tape.

 

3. It is the Entrants responsibility to fairly demonstrate the Full length of the entire rat. Scrunched rats and bent tails will be read as are.

 

 

Best Practice will be to lay your rat, on its back, ON the tape. Tail tip level with the start of the tape. Body and tail stretched fully along the tape and with the rats head tipped back, so that a clear reading may be made from the furthest point of the tape reached by the tip of the nose. That way I can award you the maximum measurement for your rat.

 

 

Carry a tape and camera or else a few plastic bags. Handle them only with gloved hands and dispose of them properly

An e-mail address will be set up for pictures to be sent to, pictures will be displayed in the above magazines from time to time, and on this site, as well as at some of the major shows through out the summer months

An independent panel will judge the pictures and there decision will be final

Edited December 23, 2008 by john hubery

[labsnlurchers 39]

Dam it! i didnt take a tape out with me! ill have to get another one and remember a tape!

[scottbaistow 0]

Im certainly well up for it John, ive a young terrier here bursting to get more ratting! let me know what the crack is, if you need venues etc, etc.

 

I also know friends that would be very interested.

 

Couple of questions:

 

How would you make it a fair test? As different places and conditions( like use of smokers/ferret/scraper/diggers) would make for different levels of difficulty for the dogs.

I would guessed the best method would be to find a chicken/pig farm, or other heavily infested place, and on clearence day, take turns with different dogs, and have judges mark scores for each dog in turn as it takes its share of rats! ????

sounds like a top idea id be interested were abouts in the north ?

[Guest jrt]

whens comp begin/end

[bushy 0]

For those of you that know me you will know of my love of ferreting, but I also have a passion for ratting with terriers and have had for some 30 years. In this time I have seen some big numbers and some big rats, any way, we were talking in the shop today and have come up with the idea of a largest rat contest for the lads in the north, with pictures being posted in the shop, on here and in the countrymans weekly.We will be looking at a trophy and jacket as well as a monatry prize for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. We will be posting some rules on here and in an article in the countrymans weekly in the near future. Any ideas and constuctive critism will recieved warmly

[bushy 0]

whats the prize i think we have a good chance of wining please keep me posted

[ChrisJones 7,975]

Sounds fair. This way it can be open to members from all over the world, if they want to enter...