? Best ratting dog?

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Eceni

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Hi

thinking long term for when my elderly, much loved lurcher finally goes to the big kennel in the sky...

what's the best - most trainable ratting dog any of you have ever had?

I really don't like bendy-legged, smooth-coated JRTs tho' the parson ones are OK... but wondered about whippet crosses, or patterdales, or something else fuzzy-coated, but sane and not yappy....

all ideas welcome!

thanks

E
 
My JRT is an ace ratter, little scruffy rough coated thing but she is so keen, I don't think you can beat a terrier's temp. for ratting, they are sharp and my little bitch can fit anywhere, plus terriers have that knack for shaking the life out of things!!. Whippets IMO are anti social and will only take well to a couple of people, my auntie had one and it wasn't the world's best ratter either. This is my dog:(impractical colour for ratting I know!!)
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We once had a border x lakeland and my God she was the most amazing ratter! Sandy would proudly trot through the village, past all the holiday makers having their cream teas, with the biggest rat in her mouth to bring home!
 
My lurcher, Wish is amazing, she's been known to pick up a rat, kill and toss it then before it's landed caught another; she's lightening, far better than any terrier we have known! Doesn't look it here of course, she's the softest dog I know!
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My mums border terrier is very keen!!!! For anything fluffy!
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I've got a "towny" BT but I think he'd be good given the chance - they are also lovely pets as they love people!
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My Border x patterdale was brilliant. Obsessive, but brilliant at ratting, I have seen him chew through a wall to get to a nest.

We also used to have an old fashioned Yorkie (ie one with a bit of substance that wouldn't have fitted in a teacup) that was excellent at the job too.

Greyhounds were willing but clueless "Duh, where'd it go?", my GSD would sit and have a chat with it (he does with mice, we don't have rats here) before walking it home.
 
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My lurcher, Wish is amazing, she's been known to pick up a rat, kill and toss it then before it's landed caught another; she's lightening, far better than any terrier we have known! Doesn't look it here of course, she's the softest dog I know!

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What's her breeding, do you know?

might be very tempted by another lurcher, but know I couldn't replace my old soul-mate

E
 
JRT! This is my longer legged pup, (excuse my messy carpet!) he's 100% tenacious and Im sure would make a good ratter if only I was brave enough to let him out of my sight!!
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Patterdales are superb ratters, we've got 3!!
Our boy went ratting for the 1st time last year, I didn't even see the first rat before it was in bits where he shook it so hard!! We've got a litter hopefully due mid April!!

They're also great personalities, all ours are really cuddly and friendly!!

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FoxFolly William

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Fox Folly Gypsy

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Fox Folly Fudge (Will and Gyp's Daughter!!)
 
i have 4 JRTs, of which 1 is ace, catches and kills them instantly (but she's a pretty biggish JRT), 1 is very fast but hasn't got the hang of killing them yet (but she's very small and hasn't got the weight/strength to shake them hard enough), one is quite good, and one is totally hopeless - last time the other 3 chased one out towards her, she came face to face with it and recoiled!
oh, and 4 together get in each other's way, and mice especially often escape, unbelievably. the gang usually get the rats though...
i love JRTs, don't think i'd ever want another dog tbh.
 
My Patterdales are brilliant.......would highly recommend one. I am currently looking for a hubby for our Rosie (pictured)I think she would rather fancy William!!!

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Patterdales are superb ratters, we've got 3!!
Our boy went ratting for the 1st time last year, I didn't even see the first rat before it was in bits where he shook it so hard!! We've got a litter hopefully due mid April!!

They're also great personalities, all ours are really cuddly and friendly!!


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Gosh.... Ok, I'm sold... .but can't have one 'till my beloved lurcher is with us no longer - which could be another 2 years (with any luck)

so please keep breading long-legged patterdales with good biddable temperaments!

If you're feeling keen and want to pm me a phone number or email to have on hand for 'one day', I promise not to abuse it

thanks

E
 
I don't there is a best breed as such. Nero has a higher tally (yes mum and I keep count...how competitive are we lol) than mums JRT. He loves it!! They had 3 nests and 7 adults during their last venture on a friends farm
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My patterdale x whippet is a total legend ratting (not to mention squirrels, mice, deer, hares, rabbits, cats etc...!!).

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That's what worries me. I'm too old to spend my life racing after a loose dog with a non-existent recall - tho' a Pat x whippet sounds a truly lovely cross...

got any pics?

E
 
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They're also great personalities, all ours are really cuddly and friendly!!


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Fox Folly Fudge (Will and Gyp's Daughter!!)

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Oh, I didn't realise that they came in tan too! As you say, ace little dogs, my border x patterdale was my daughters best friend from when she was a baby until he died 9 years later. He looks very similar to yours.

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This is one of my favourite pictures of him.
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Have to disagree with RosiiePimms
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, I've known many, many Whippets, and I've yet to meet an anti social one.
My youngest one William is a fab ratter, even though we've never trained him onto them or anything else for that matter....he's just a natural. And my little rescue lurcher (whippet x patterdale
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) was sh1t hot.

Long live your oldie lurcher (((hugs))).....and good luck with your future friend
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I've got tons of pictures of her. Just need to figure out how to upload them!!

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Stick them in photobucket and then click on the 'image' link (I think) and paste it into your post...

do it now! I want to see her
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E
 
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Long live your oldie lurcher (((hugs))).....and good luck with your future friend
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Thank you!

Never wanted a terrier, but the patterdales look stunning. And I desperately want to see what a patterdale x whippet looks like...


thanks, all

E
 
I have a JRT and He's great mouser! We haven't seen any rats since my pup arrived! He caught a live mice in my mum's house at nearly 5 months old!! then later sniffed out 2 nests of about 20 babies in total.... he ate them too! He's now 17 months and always, always on the sniffing partrol... i often seen him coming back with bloodied mouth. Seen him caught a Rabbit! I would be in no doubt if he see a rat he'll get it. He's very fast on little legs.

Would look at patterdales later as my 2nd dog..... they look really nicely put together dog... i am tempted now ummmmmm!!!
 
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