Hunting With Your Terrier

While it is a natural instinct for terriers to want to hunt you must take caution before allowing them to go out in the field. Before you go out in the field for the first time you should have proper gear and a person who has hunted before. Anytime you take a terrier in the field you must realize that there is a chance that the dog might not come home with you because it is risky.

When packing for your first day in the field I would suggest the following items. Don't attempt hunting without a qualified working person.

1. A locator collar and box
2. Several shovels and post hole diggers
3. Water
4. First Aid Kit
5. Gloves
6. Cell Phone
7. Lunch for you and the dog
8. Flashlights
9. Camera
10. Towels and a change of clothes

Know the quarry you may face when you are out in the field. In the US the breed tends to hunt red + grey fox, groundhogs, raccoon, and opossum. They run into skunks from time to time. Skunks are the most lethal quarry they can encounter because the dogs are underground and many die from asphyxiation. Any den animal will defend its home so there are risks when facing any of the animals mentioned above.

You should learn to look at the different tracks and dens to identify the animal you may be hunting. Please check with your state to find out what is legal to hunt and what is not. Groundhogs do a lot of damage to crops and are dangerous to horse/cow farms. Many farmers will be happy to let you work your dogs on their land. When doing so be courteous and fill in any holes you dig. Be careful to find out if the farmer has set any traps on the property. Many of the traps to catch these animals can seriously injure or even kill a terrier.

We are proud to say our dogs can hunt and look well doing it !!
The photos on this page are of some of our dogs in the field.