Rats!!

[CharlesHarris]

Scroll down the page and you will see a day's kill from a skilled group of rat terriers:

http://modernfarmer.com/2014/06/rat-terr...erriermen/

And an article on the best dog breeds for rat control:

http://www.offthegridnews.com/how-to-2/b...n-control/

1. Border terriers originated in the hills between England and Scotland. Like many of the terriers, they have a waterproof coat. They also have a wiry outer coat with a soft undercoat, perfect for working outside in the damp wet weather of their homeland. They average 11 to 16 inches tall and coincidentally are usually 11 to 16 pounds. They can be good family dogs if well socialized.

2. Cairn terriers get their name from the Scottish Gaelic word “cairn,” which which means a human-made stack of stones – due to their ability to push through these stone fences while going after vermin. They originated in the Isles of Skye around the year 1500. Also a small, stout dog, they range in height from 9 to 13 inches and weigh 13 to 18 pounds.

3. Dachshunds – a German breed, their name, translated, means “badger dog.” They were used as a scent hound to locate and chase badgers, flushing them out of burrows. There are now three coat types – wire, smooth and long haired. They are typically 8 to 11 inches tall and 11 to 20 pounds. Most believe the original dogs used to hunt badgers were larger than is typical of modern dachshunds.

4. Jack Russell terriers were originally bred for fox hunting, named for the Reverend John Russell, who enjoyed promoting these little dogs for that task. They are agile and athletic, going anywhere their prey will lead them. They are about 10 to 15 inches tall and 15 to 18 pounds.

5. Miniature schnauzers, of German descent, are said to be a cross of the poodle and standard schnauzers bred as a Jack-of-all-trades-type farm dog, helping with herding as well as vermin. The miniature schnauzers are intelligent versatile dogs with the terrier attitude. They typically range from 10 to 15 inches tall and 10-18 pounds.

6. Rat terriers are an American breed bred as farm and hunting companions. Traditionally excel at squirrel and rabbit hunting due to their speed. They were common during the 1920s and 30s on many small farms. They can be 10 to 18 inches and 10 to 25 pounds.

7. West highland white terriers – Westies, as they are commonly called, originated in Scotland in the mid-1500s. They are a cousin to the cairn terriers and used mainly as ratters. Westies have a wiry outer coat and soft dense undercoat to keep them warm and dry. They range from 9 to 11 inches tall and 15 to 20 pounds.

While many people today have farm cats for rodent control, cats are not as reliable as dogs because they hunt only when the mood strikes, whereas most dogs find great joy in the adventure.

The terrier group as a whole is independent, smart and rugged. Their personalities reflect their hunting heritage; many people would call them stubborn.

To enjoy a terrier, you need to provide them with plenty work and socialize them with small pets and children. They can be great dogs, alerting you to anything out of the ordinary. Needless to say, they enjoy digging and exploring, even it is in your garden of prized vegetables or flowers. If you are considering a farm companion that barks at anything amiss and can dispatch ground animals in the blink of an eye, then try terriers.