Ratter wanted

[Teapot74]

I love my dogs. 2 show cockers. They get a good amount of exercise 5 miles + most days. We are moving to a farmhouse. There are chickens and barns. I HATE rats and mice. Don't really want a cat but would have one at a push (used to have a persian that i LOVED, but am more of a dog person). So am thinking about getting a terrier. The problem is I don't naturally warm to terriers. I prefer gundogs. BIL has a lovely border terrier I like it, but don't love it. Any advice? I'd like a playful dog that will keep my house rodent free. I don't know yet whether the neighbours have cats as I know that this could be an issue. Would love to know about temperaments etc. Have a 10 and 12 yr old that are very well trained with dogs. Any opinion is welcome. x

[Teapot74]

have also wondered about a greyhound for the same purpose but they seem a bit too laid back for me...

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

My Border Terrier is lovely and playful but would make the worlds worst ratter. We have a hamster (and my mum has a cat) so he was asked to be respectful of furries from the start. He now doesn't even cast much of a glance at squirrels. Birds are his thing though.

I have to say though that Terriers are the bravest, funniest, loving, loyal little thrill seekers you could meet and the thought of one ending up in a home where it wasn't appreciated leaves me a little sad really. I would think of another solution if you don't love terriers as they are very full on.

I always see that 'be more dog' advert and think terriers probably think that to themselves everytime they see a quiet dog trotting at its owners side. I'd go for rat traps if you don't think you could love one.

[moosemama]

Is it small terriers that don't appeal? Have you considered a larger terrier, such as a Kerry Blue, Irish or Welsh? Going a bit smaller Parsons JRT?

Soft Coated Wheatens are also Terriers, some more terrier than others in nature and the Irish Coated ones being more 'game' than British or American. I had a British Wheaten and she would have been hopeless, as she was a proper princess. (Wheatens are fantastic dogs but need a lot of coat care.)

Bear in mind though, they're not easy breeds to train. They are bags of fun though and full of personality.

I love terriers, but am naturally drawn to norty dogs!

To be honest though, if you don't actually want another dog as a pet, I'd look into alternative methods of pest control. Not sure what - I know rescues are always looking to home neutered feral cats - might that be a possibility?

[RandomMess]

I really think you're best of getting cats if you want something to keep rats and mice at bay. Very easy to get unfriendly ones that will happily live semi-feral!

[bulletwithbutterflywings]

I had a Staffie that was great at sniffing out rays :) She was quite small and not super chunky so she was quick!

[DameDeepRedBetty]

I have to say that Ruby the DDRB Cat has been far more effective in the anti-vermin campaign than Lily The DDRB Jack Russell.

Also Ruby sits on my lap and purrs at me, whereas Lily shouts abuse at every passing stranger and eats shoes.

[ClaimedByMe]

I know you said you would have a cat at a push but please think about it, many feral cats/kittens get pts in shelters because families don't want them and they are only really good enough as farm cats and there aren't enough farms to take them.

Dogwise my staffie could catch a rat and destroy it!

[bulletwithbutterflywings]

If you went to a cat rescue place they usual have feralish cats that are difficult to home so that would maybe be a middle ground?

[VivaLeFUCKER]

Yes, you could have a barn cat. Cats are much better mousers than dogs. I used to have a JRT who was good at getting mice and rats but still not as good as a cat.

[MrsApplepants]

Cats protection might have just what you need, one or a pair of semi feral cats, they often live outside but sheltered eg in a barn, you keep them well fed, vaccinated, wormed etc and they reward you by being prolific hunters. They hunt for pleasure and will keep a lid on any rodent infestation in outbuildings etc.

[CMOTDibbler]

I'd def rehome a couple of feral cats to deal with the vermin. They'll live in a barn and be on constant patrol. My big evil ginger boy cat would love it.

[QueenQueenie]

Get a Bedlington terrier. They are so gorgeous you couldn't help but fall in love... they might look like aliens / sheep but mine lives for the chance to chase small furry things and would be an excellent ratter (what they were bred for)...

alien sheep...

[mrslaughan]

I would re home some cats from one of those charities that "re-homes" street cats - the ones that don't really like people!!!!!So they live in the barn, not the house...... Don't have a problem with dogs you don't warm too and your helping some poor street cats....the charities advertise in the back of the horse and hound.........

[sleeton]

My family used to have a (large) toy poodle who was a fiercely effective ratter. He lived for the occasions when the hen houses would be levered on to their sides, and would be scrambling under the structures when they were still just inches from the floor. He could easily kill up to a dozen or more rats on such a run.

If I remember rightly he was a busy, intelligent little dog, who took his work very seriously. Always liked to be 'on duty' and considered the outbuildings to be his domain. Didn't enjoy fuss or 'home comforts'.

Gosh, I haven't thought of him in years!

[daftyburd]

What about a Boston Terrier? They are not a true terrier as part of the Utility group and were originally used as fighting dogs and ratters. Still used as ratters in the USA.
My boy is a little dog who likes to keep busy. I am just counting the days until he begins his agility training. He has a high chase instinct and pesters the life out of my cats albeit in a good natured way. I find him very terrier like in a lot of ways. We met an old man in the park who "didn't like small dogs". He then said that he would like to own my dog as "he would be handy to hunt rabbits". Oh and walking 5 miles a day is just fine by him!

[Sunnysummer]

We also had a staffie who put the fear into any rat (or hamster or small fluffy toy) on the premises, they are a lovely breed and loads out there need rehoming - however lots of them are not great with other dogs, so you'd need to be 100% sure yours would get along with your existing two.

We always had cats on the farm growing up, many would love a semi-feral ratting existence far more than being a 'proper' pet in any case

[Teapot74]

Thanks for input. Have a feeling that you are right and a cat might be the way to go. Not sure I could banish one to outside though.

[Scuttlebutter]

Once you settle in, and ask around, there will be bound to be someone in the area with a working terrier or lurcher. Just ask them to come in on a regular basis - think of it like window cleaning.

If you have dogs yourself, I would try to avoid using any form of chemical pest control. A good terrier will be quick, efficient and very humane.

[ClaimedByMe]

If you get a semi ferrel or ferrel cat it probably won't want to come in the house.

[diplodocus]

A friend of mine works in pest control and has a JRT who he uses occasionally to control infestations. They're good as apparently they kill them quickly rather than maim / play around with them, which doesn't bare thinking about. However, his previous cocker was apparently an excellent ratter, so you might strike it lucky with your existing dogs.

[kerstina]

Fanoftheinvisible man can you give me any tips on how you got your terrier to be respectful of the furry pets?
We have a 10 week old miniature schnauzer pup. She is very good except when she is having mad moments and although she is being fairly respectful around my elderly cat I just don't trust her as she bites us and holds on so how do I know she would not do the same to the cat given the chance? I have been very protective of my cat as she has been very poorly this week and so tend to ''guard'' her.

[OldRoan]

We had a wheaten when I was growing up. She was utterly hopeless at anything, but liked playing 'ratting' with her toys. Then, out of nowhere, she suddenly started getting rats on her bedtime walk. Instinct must have just kicked in?

[curlew]

I will hire out Cat for a reasonable fee. He is a phenomenal ratter- far better than any dog I have ever met.

I would go for a couple of ferals in the barn if I were you- but watch the chickens.......

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Kerstina, for the very first meeting with the cat we kept him on the lead. It was just a case of making a huge fuss of the dog the second he looked away and relaxed . We did that coupled with loud 'Ah ah No!' whenever he went near. We have been lucky, he took to the message almost instantly and has never gone right up to her.

[Scarlettsstars]

Ok, controversial option but would you consider a ferret? We used to own a very old barn conversion in Dorset and one year we had an absolute infestation of rats. Quite literally the floorboards used to shake withthenumbers of the running around beneath them. We borrowed a friends dog ferret who disappeared down beneath the floorboards in an instant. 24 hours later every rat was gone. We did have to deal with the ferret smell - they spray and this deters rats - for a while but it wore off (as far as we could smell at least) and the rats didn't come back.