rat terrier?

[hillbill]

im in the market for a new dog, have been without one for a few years.what i need is a small aggressive dog, mostly to run off and hunt groundhogs, armodillas, and other pests that invade and defile yard and garden. also as a pet for my 11 yr old daughter and a companion for me.be nice if it would make a nice squirrel dog too. i like the looks and what ive heard of the rat terriers and the jack russels. would like a slightly bigger dog but im in the heart of cow country and any medium to large dog will be shot on sight if it isnt in my yard.i would love to hear from anyone who has one and see what they are like.

[Airedale From NY]

I have owned and hunted with both Rat and Jack Russell Terriers. Both will make a good pet for your 11 year old and both are good gamey breeds with a lot of hunt if "bred right". The JRTs are a harder dog than the Rat Terriers and I think would be a bit better suited for the jobs you are wanting a dog to do. The one problem you will run into is the squirrel hunting part. Both breeds with get after them but locating and treeing is something neither breed for the most part are very good at. They are just not tree dogs. If squirrel hunting is a priority a Fiest might be the dog that will fit the bill. They are also a small "Terrier like" hunting breed that has the treeing instinct bred into them. "Squirrel Dog Central or Full Cry magazine is a good source for info on Fiests.

Al

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

I have these little JRT's. They are hunting machines~ 
 I have been raising and hunting them for 20+ years and these have no problem treeing squirrels. Hunted them in WV and VA on gray squirrels before moving to Idaho

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Idaho elk hunter, pretty little pups. I have goldens, but as I grow older, bird hunting seems to be going down hill. Since you live in country similar to mine, what do you use these little guys for other than pets.? I am not a hard core the dog must do this bird hunter. I have thought a small JRT would be fun to have. If he put birds in the air with in range I would be happy, plus I have heard they are great companions. 

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

We will be using them for bears this year. People laugh when I tell them that but my female has treed bears both times we have taken her camping. Just her alone so we are going to try and hunt 4 and see what happens. They are really good at destroying your lawn if you have gophers or moles. They will hunt anything and have no fear at all.
Out of all the dogs I have owned the female I have now is the best companion I have had in a dog. The wife is jealous. LOL! I have never tried them on birds but it is fun to watch them chase birds in the yard jumping up trying to catch one out of the air.

[rex6666]

Key word here is TERRIER hard to find a dog with more game no matter what size from the Airedale on down to the JRT or Rat terrier, they just won't quit.

[no guns here]

Might look into a Duetches Jagd Terrier... much like the JRT but not as hyper-active.  I'll be getting a pup sometime next year.  I've seen them hanging off the ears of hogs and blood trailing deer/hogs here in Germany.  Great little dogs...


NGH

[squirrellluck]

Don't laugh, but I have a PomRat. Pomaranian/Rat Terrier cross. Good looking dog,19 pounds. Tracks anything I put him on. Loves kids, will play with my 3 yr old nephew til the kids wore out. And if I ever find a female to breed him with I have at least 12 puppies spoken for. Get the Rat you shouldnt be disappointed.

[hillbill]

finally found a little ratty! came out of good hunting stock.a little smaller strain than i wanted, prob bout 12 lbs or so fully grown. i was really impressed with the people that had them and the parents of the pups.its 7 wks old now so should be perfect to start on squirrels this summer and fall.

[kansasj]

Nothing cooler than a Jack Russel.  We had one that grew old and went away but he was a hunting machine.  He would sit by the window at night for hours staring in the darkness and then explode when he saw something.  We would turn him out and in moments he would have a possum or coon treed.  They are scared of nothing and are neat companions also.

[The Outlaw]

Have any of you ever had a Patterdale Terrier? I've had 2 in the last 7 years. I love them to death. No fear! Great nose, always on the hunt. Hard headed yes, but let them get on a trail or in a fight they won't quit. Good with people but not so good with other dogs, got to be the boss. Hate cats, kill on sight, the Patterdale, not me !!!!! The Outlaw.

[hillbill]

havent had much chance to hunt my ratty yet, he did corner a armodilla under my car the other day and just went wild on him.he run him out from under the car and clean off in the brush, stayed so close i couldnt get a shot off.i think he is gettin the idea tho.