Paul in North Lincs.

Good little bushing / earth dog........but those that use them for the activities you mention and in the minority. They are terriers, and they arent really noted for sitting still in a hide and retrieving. There plenty of better suited breeds for family life and odd shoots IMO

I hear that certain garden centres sell lion dung.....it is understood that phemanones trigger subliminal fear in predators which keeps them away. How effective it is on foxes I do not know but it may be worth researching further. ;-0

there used to be a lad on THL who made good quality collars ....called 'Strong Stuff'

to answer the question, they are on the open general license and classified as verim

...............yes and so will stock doves which at a glance could be mistaken for a young bluey to the untrained eye

good bag is that ;-)

wicker or wooden bed then.............

would firstly reduce the amount of surplus food about. feed them, take the food away and then lock it away. Rats also need to drink alot of water a day, so find the water source and eliminate it. Rats are also neophobic i.e have a fear of new/unfamiliar things within their environment, and will subsequently avoid it. This makes getting them into the box and then traps that more difficult. Using rodenticde blocks should be fine, if they are well tethered within the bait stations. Personally I would bait the burrows deply with rodenticide wax based or chalk blocks and back fill them firmly. If this didnt work, then get a proffessional in who would probably drop phosphine down the burrows and drop the lot in one hit, or use a range of contact gels or dust in strategic places which is digested when grooming

............give the pup a break. I would imagine he needs more training to stock..fur and feather. p.s who donst like getting their leg over, when the oppotunity arises?

With respect, if you are a novice, it maybe worth familliarising yourselve with the legalities with use of terriers on red-boys:- The use of terriers below ground for flushing wild mammals The use of a terrier below ground to flush a wild mammal is only permitted providing all of the following conditions are met: • Only a single dog is used below ground at any one time • The purpose is to flush out wild mammals solely for the purpose of preventing or reducing serious damage to game birds or wild birds being kept or preserved to be shot • The person must carry with them written permission from the land owner or occupier which you must be able to immediately show to the police on demand* • They must intend to shoot the wild mammal as soon as possible after it is flushed • All reasonable steps must be taken to prevent risk or injury to the dog The manner in which the dog is used must also comply with the following code: • The terrier’s role is to locate and flush the animal, not to fight with it • Only ‘soft’ terriers which stand back and bark are to be used • Care must be taken to ensure the safety of those involved and to minimise the risk of injury to either the terrier or the wild mammal • The terrier’s time below ground must be kept as short as possible • The terrier must always be fitted with an electronic locator • Once it is determined the terrier is trapped, assistance must be given to release it immediately Notes: Nothing other than nets may be placed over entrance / exit holes during the flushing. DEFRA has stated in a written reply that once a terrier has exited the earth the gamekeeper (or presumably terrierman) may dig down to the quarry. * Written Permission – Is Required. Rats and rabbits can be hunted above and below ground as before providing you have permission from the landowner.

has the dog seen any work before?...what are his marking abilities like, and more to the point what is your fieldcraft like. Did you actually see the fox drop into the earth?

just be carefull........Ive recently seen a 5 month pup following and adult to ground....clearly this far too young, and if it got snotted at this age, it could easily ruin the dog for life

slow and steady introduction at the right age is essential.......some folks make make-shift tubes and tunnels and train their dogs that way to fox scent inside. However some dogs just don't have 'the minerals' to face an adversary below ground, and no amount of encouragement or training will do anything about it....... some fire in....some spew it

How did you guess!!!!! lol...funnily enough that was his xmas pressy from the wife...and guess what....he ripped it on the first day, and it now resides in the bin...oops ar well ...never mind ;-)

I posted a few pics a while back of Buster our new patterdale pup...here he is now at just under 6 months old. He comes to work with me everyday, (i am a pro pestie) and he's just starting to show interest in scally tails, and actually located one behind a cooker in private customers kitchen only the other day. Bundles of fun - and mischief!!!

I agree with most points - but not about jumping. IMO its essential. Ever tried lifting a dog over a 5 bar gate with 10 rabbits and a lamp pack on you shoulder....Its not my idea of cricket anyway. The lurcher will learn how to strike and run its intended quarry with experience and practice. Be safe, illuminate the obstacle well, and jumping can be safe at night, You as the lamper can also do certain certain things to assist developing a well rounded lamping dog. 1. do not slip your dog on things he has no chance of catching, ie rabbits close to hedge rows and a range. Continued misses will result in a young keen dog, getting fustrated. This can manifest in several unwanted traits (which are difficult to shift) like yapping (opening up), Hunting up an entire field once slip in the hope of a catch, or the dredded jacker, that loses interest and will no longer chase. Many a dog is ruined by lack of understanding, and subsequently wind up in the dog homes!!!! 2. Do not run a novice dog at the same time as another. This can cause develop into possession related problems like running off with a catch, and nor returning, and causing a hard mouth. Not ideal if you are pot filling......Not forgetting collisions at speed can cause horrific injuries. 3. Try and position yourself between the quarry and where you anticipate it may run 4. Do not rush!! A dog will learn by its mistakes. Rome wasn't built in a day. Drill in the basic commands, recall retrieving, jumping. I could go on and on having used lurchers longdogs and sighthounds for day and night time work for well over 20 years - If you want any more info, please fell free to drop me a pm

carbohydrates for adding weight...protein for adding muscle. Pasta, bread, potatoe - with fatten a dog up in no time. Oh - and a good dose of worming tablets helps on occasions ;-)

Patts are my favourite for versatility, and eagerness to graft, however, any terrier will do you for ratting...Lakey, fell, Patt, JRT, Parson or crosses of any etc ect all are equally as good above and below ground...........its more about they are entered

hmmmmm :hmm: has a look of badger, but think its fox and the foots just spread in the deep mud

Spawn of Satan I recon! lol ......... Came across the pond a few weeks ago from good working stock

Before you contemplate shooting the pigeons, there are at least four requirements that must met under the terms of the General License, to allow pest birds to be culled. Don't fall foul of the law bud

Meet Buster...........our new 10wk old patterdale terrier - what a little toe-rag! but loveable all the same

digging is a very hard habit to cure....I've had loads of lurchers that do it. If you are worried about the lawn, make a decent sized sand pit, fill it, and bury toys and treats in there. If its going to dig, you may as well encourage it to do it where its not going to cause any damage to your grass. I would imagine though that the problem is more down to boredom, or stress/anxiety caused by being alone in the garden with no company

There'll be a range of commercial and domestic clients........not just pest eradication in towns but pest management aswell.

will do bud.........................no more meadow hall for me though!!!!! yiiipppeeee!