Ferret Master Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Hi, I am due to go ferreting in January with a friend at the rugby club. He has asked can he bring his young terrier. (he got it in July) I have never met this dog before and he says it has got a good instinct so we are hoping to use it to mark the more difficult holes which can pass a ferreters notice. Now the bit I am worried about is how do you check a dog is ferret safe without it engulfing an entire jill in one mouthful please? Thanks in advance for any and all replies from the more experienced ferreters that use dogs. FM :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibbz2000 Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Ive taken my youngest Jack Russell which is 1 out with me ferreting. I just got my brother to hold the dog on a lead and I held the ferret closer and closer to it to see if there was a reaction. My dog didnt give a **** about the jill but I havnt put the dog to work the holes and cant say that if my fert came out quickly the dog wouldnt mistake it for a bunnie.. See if your dog reacts to the fert firstly and sign of a bad temper and its a no no! Its up to you to chance having them both running between the holes tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted December 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Thanks for the quick reply. I don't know if we will be having the terrier running loose or not. We may let it mark holes then tie it to some undergrowth or something similar. Another alternative is to give it to my 10 year old brother who isn't really into fieldsports but likes rabbit and comes ferreting to slip in on any bolters. But like you say it will come down to how afe the dog is. FM :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 The best dogs I have seen working with ferrets, have all been brought up with them, are breeds that wouldn't normally show an interest, or are very obedient and know the meaning of the instruction, "leave". As its only 5 months old it will not be much use in catching, or marking. I might take the pup, but definitely keep it on a lead away from the holes (and the ferrets) and hope it doesn't get too noisy. Its all good experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted December 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Thanks Cranners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiercel Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 The best dogs I have seen working with ferrets, have all been brought up with them, are breeds that wouldn't normally show an interest, or are very obedient and know the meaning of the instruction, "leave". As its only 5 months old it will not be much use in catching, or marking. I might take the pup, but definitely keep it on a lead away from the holes (and the ferrets) and hope it doesn't get too noisy. Its all good experience. Totaly agree with Cranfield. You never know, you might get a good ferreting dog when he is older. Try to introduce him to the ferrets before the day that might help. Tiercel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted December 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Thanks for your advice tiercel. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fert Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 whatever you do fm make sure the terrier is well broken to ferrets before yu take him out its not worth the hassle mate. keep it on a lead and let it mark the holes on the lead. if it shows any interest as for catching any bolters well you know how fast rabbits can run.the reason for taking a terrier rabbiting is to bush briars through and to mark holes. if your mate wants to bring it just for a jolly your better off leaving it at home but if hes serious about his ferreting leave it on the lead and let him train him up but it might take a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 FM Cough I know it's too late . The answers simple . YOU HAD TO ASK THE QUESTION !!!! ................................................. ............. .If i need to explain ... Your first instinct is correct ..... all the best yis yp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted December 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 Yes he said it was quite a leggy terrier which had caught stuff before so I didn't know if it would be any use in the hedgerows. I will be just letting it mark on a lead and I will try to introduce the dogs and smellies before hand. Thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FERRETBOY Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Take the dog with you, when you put the ferrets in peg your dog back about 5 metres just enough to let him see whats going on do this a couple of times out and then slowly introduce him nearer the holes,i made the mistake of letting him straight in, he disloged the nets, when if you are working a large warren on your own it can be anoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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