Cairn terrier & rats...

[Lowen Ki]

Our working stock Cairn has just turned two and is a really nicely put together dog. He's super at catching rats, rabbits, low flying birds etc down the yard, in the garden and in the fields in front of our house. He nearly caught a hare in Yorkshire last month! My cousin (in law) suggested we take him ratting... I don't know anything about it but I want him to have as much fun and be as true to his natural instincts as possible. Is this something we should look into or is it a bit taboo? My dad always took our gundogs shooting when I was a kid at home but I don't really know the ins and outs of ratting. Can anyone shed any light for me so I can suss out whether it's worth investigating? We live in Bucks.
Thanks on advance!
XxX

 

[Lowen Ki]

Or is there such a thing as a terrier trial? I don't really know where to start looking but would like to do some activities with him! X

 

[Dobiegirl]

I may be wrong but I dont think ratting is an organised sport, I think if you find a local farmer who has a rat problem he/she might be happy for you to go in and relieve him of a few.

 

[Pendlehog]

Ive seen articles about ratting that suggest it is "organised" to some extent, it seems a bit of an old boys club though?

 

[Lowen Ki]

Ah right ok. Would explain why I can't find anything about it perhaps! Looks like we'll just have to make do with rabbits in the fields for the time being!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Lure coursing might be a good outlet for him?