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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Ratter wanted

34 replies

Teapot74 · 25/10/2013 18:51

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

OP posts:

Original poster

Teapot74 · 26/10/2013 13:16

diplodocus, pmsl at the thought of my cockers being effective ratters unless you can lick them to death!

OP posts:

Original poster

Teapot74 · 26/10/2013 13:17

Scarlett S Think I know where I can borrow a ferret.

OP posts:

ancientbuchanan · 26/10/2013 13:26

The celia Howard trust who rescued two kits on Thursday pm thanks to MN ( see the litter tray) are desperate for farms for feral cats.

I'd do the feral cat, ferret if it is desperate.

But, we have a farm bred wire haired jrt. I didn't like terriers esp nippy happy snappy jrts. This one is soapy and affectionate save around rats. From almost the moment he arrived at 6 months he has controlled the garden and caught one in the house. We live in an old creamy house with lots of holes and a stream at the bottom so rats are inevitable.

Atm he is curled up on the bed next to DH keeping him warm as a constant hot water bottle.

I would consider one for the house, for the rat catching and love and licks.

ancientbuchanan · 26/10/2013 13:27

Soppy, not soapy though sometimes the latter to his patient disgust.

ancientbuchanan · 26/10/2013 13:28

Soppy, not soapy though sometimes the latter to his patient disgust.

Floralnomad · 26/10/2013 14:25

My Patterdale would definitely make a good ratter, they're proper working terriers but also make loving pets . There are several for re homing on the Patterdale Rescue site .

QueenQueenie · 26/10/2013 14:57

Not much enthusiasm for the alien / sheep option?

BarelyDomesticated · 26/10/2013 21:31

Use traps or poison, a pair of ferals at a push. A lone terrier running loose will not make any appreciable difference to the rat population.

It can be good sport with a smoker and terriers, but you need a fair pack to catch them all as they bolt.

Patter dale terriers should not be pets, but that is a whole other story...

Dayshiftdoris · 26/10/2013 21:37

I would go for a feral cat...

My Jack Russell might look the part (as in often seen with arse hanging out of a rabbit hole) but when she has had chance to actually finish a job she is proper wussy...
She occasionally will roll on a dead slug but that's it really!

My cat, even in her advanced years is far more ruthless

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