best ratting dogs......

S

show_jumper

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hey....

just wondering really..... we want to get another dog to join the family and we'd really like someone who could help out with the ratting around the yard!!!
does anyone know where i could look? or suggest the best breeds for this?

thanks
 
Believe it or not, some small poodles and dachshunds can be brilliant but the best we've ever had is my lurcher, Wish! She is lightening quick and doesn't miss a trick, she winds them well too, very little gets past her!
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We've seen her grab one kill it with a shake and a toss and have caught another before the first has hit the ground; she's magic at it!
Some terriers can get too hysterical and that leads to them missing a lot through being hyper, or if there are two or more of them they can spend more time arguing and ragging each other than actually ratting! I'm not saying that always happens but it's pretty common.
 
Our cairn terrier is fantastic at it, I would have another like her in a flash, didn't need any training but kills them in one go
 
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thanks.

is it something you need to "teach" them or do they do it instinctively?

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Usually it's an inbuilt thing but some that are slow to enter (work) do take to it well eventually. Pups that take off after flies and spiders are usually workers!
 
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cant beat JRT.
seems to be an instinct thing......if it moves and is furry they tend to destroy it!

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Great so long as you don't have furry kids
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I've seen JRT with no interest in ratting, might be worth trying to get one from working stock or look for one that is already obsessed with holes and dark places that rats hide
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most terriers will do the job tbh just don't buy a chiuhuah (spelling?) as the rats might eat it instead
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Any terrier... but our Patterdales are absolutely superb!!

In fact so good at shaking that they 'killed' one of my over reach boots that they found in the field last night!! It ended up in 2 pieces.. not bad for a piece of rubber!!

We do use ours regularly for round the poultry sheds and feed rooms, there isn't a lot that gets away if they are around!
 
My Patterdale is ace at Ratting, he is 11yo now but still has the energy and determination of younger dog! Not many things get past him (Including squirrels, crows and Unfortunately the odd Guinea Pig who had made a great escape!
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My Border bitch is great, and no training just knows what to do and will wait as long as it takes for her chance.

We had a rat in the flip top dry dog food bin in the kitchen once (worst thing ever, I opened it to scoop some out and screamed).

I got Taggie by her body and back legs, flipped up the lid and dangled her in upside down. One rolling growl as she shook it, one squeak and it was all over!! My girl!! fabulous, she can even perform on the trapeze!
 
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Best I ever knew was a Westie

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Echo that, the Westies on our yard are AMAZING at ratting. So quick and have a total instinct for it.

Apparently, Yorkshire Terriers are bred for ratting as my mother delights in telling their owners... especially the ones who have put bows in their hair and little jackets on them LOL
 
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