A terrier doing terrier things

[JoanneF]

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I was driving through the next village and saw a little brown terrier walking down the pavement in the same direction of travel as me; and clocked that it wasn't on lead, didn't appear to have anyone with it and obviously therefore at risk. My first instinct was to think whether I could stop safely (I couldn't) but as I got closer, I realised it was carrying a dead rat that must have been about a quarter of its own body weight!

That confirmed it. I decided it was clearly well able to look after itself, and wouldn't have stopped even if it had been safe. I know, these things don't marry up and I shouldn't be so squeamish, but it did make me think about where I draw lines.

It was actually nice to see it so proud of itself, having done a good job of doing what it was bred to do.

What would you have done?

 

[ForestWomble]

I probably wouldn't have stopped, but just kept an eye on the dog while able.

I love seeing a dog looking so proud of themselves.

 

[Sarah k9s]

With a great big fat rat in its mouth probably the same as you! I doubt it would want to part with it and I don't really want that in my car either!

 

[JudyN]

If it was me, and it was safe to stop, I'd probably have got out, said hello and seen how it responded. I'm not squeamish about dead rats, but I would be very wary of the dog's reaction if I attempted to check for an identity tag.

Alternatively, I'd have posted on local social media groups to see if anyone had lost a terrier (or a rat! ).

 

[Laco]

I understand about the terrier family of dogs and their proclivity to hunt rats. Our miniature Schnauzer, part of the terrier family, is a very serious ratter. Since there are bait boxes around for the rats, I obviously don't want our girl actually catching one, but she knows where they have been and stakes out that area.

 

[mynortiboys]

I was driving through the next village and saw a little brown terrier walking down the pavement in the same direction of travel as me; and clocked that it wasn't on lead, didn't appear to have anyone with it and obviously therefore at risk. My first instinct was to think whether I could stop safely (I couldn't) but as I got closer, I realised it was carrying a dead rat that must have been about a quarter of its own body weight! That confirmed it. I decided it was clearly well able to look after itself, and wouldn't have stopped even if it had been safe. I know, these things don't marry up and I shouldn't be so squeamish, but it did make me think about where I draw lines. It was actually nice to see it so proud of itself, having done a good job of doing what it was bred to do. What would you have done?

I think I'd be inclined to leave him as he seemed to be a dog with a purpose!

Grisha's the hunter in our household as the craters in my garden prove. Gwylim although also a Schnauzer wouldn't know what to do even if a mouse came up and punched him in the nose.

Not so long ago Grisha caught a bird as it was flying past! Fortunately he let me take the poor little thing off him and put it somewhere where it could recover from it's ordeal. Another time whilst pottering around the top half of my land he picked up a rotting lambs head which stank to high heaven, but seemed to make it a much valued possession. It took me quite some time to lead him to the dustbin where he reluctantly gave it to me.

 

[Torin]

I would have been unlikely to stop if it had dead prey, because wiley terrier instincts go into overdrive at that point. Sometimes I can't even catch Cad if he's caught a rat, so an unknown dog is more likely to either be a slippery eel or to be defensive about it - both of which could increase the road danger.

However around here I would go onto the village's FB group and report seeing a loose dog on the road, and give a visual description. It's not uncommon that sneaked-out or voided recall dogs get a 'have you seen?' or 'there's this dog in x location' posts, and it really helps people out when there's reports. If it turns out to be a dog that's allowed to wander then you also get the confirmation and that's helpful to know as well, as chances are you'll see it again and be reassured.

 

[Mad Murphy]

When Remy used to vanish into the bushes we always just said he was doing 'Remy things' I was a bit squeamish about investigating too much.
I was always convinced he was the one dog who would find a body part, and one time when he came back with a high top trainer I hardly dared look.. Terriers are great but you have to expect the unexpected with them.

 

[Laco]

@mynortiboys That is a very familiar picture. Our little Schnauzer does the same with rats around us, and she won't be persuaded to not pursue them.

 

[SuzyJay]

I was driving through the next village and saw a little brown terrier walking down the pavement in the same direction of travel as me; and clocked that it wasn't on lead, didn't appear to have anyone with it and obviously therefore at risk. My first instinct was to think whether I could stop safely (I couldn't) but as I got closer, I realised it was carrying a dead rat that must have been about a quarter of its own body weight!

That confirmed it. I decided it was clearly well able to look after itself, and wouldn't have stopped even if it had been safe. I know, these things don't marry up and I shouldn't be so squeamish, but it did make me think about where I draw lines.

It was actually nice to see it so proud of itself, having done a good job of doing what it was bred to do.

What would you have done?

This gave me flashbacks to Spring this year.
Bobby appeared at the patio door with a rat nearly as big as him in his mouth. After shrieking and running round the kitchen a few times ( patio door remained closed!) I managed to get it off him and throw it in the hedge.
Bobby spent the rest of the day looking for t!

( He's a Dachshund, not a terrier)

 

[BKayHol2]

I just remembered about a 'dog park incident' that we had years ago when our Abby (RIP) was young. The park we were at was about 18 acres & had a lot of tall grasses/shrubs around the perimeter. Well, she disappeared into the foliage & came bounding out a couple minutes later with a huge, dead ground squirrel in her mouth! NO WAY was she coming to me to relinquish such a prize, so off she raced across the park, dead squirrel flapping, with about 7 or 8 other dogs hot on her heels, hoping to steal what was obviously the best 'toy' in the park! This went on for several minutes until she got tired & took refuge under one of the picnic tables in open grassy area & dropped the now soggy, dead thing. The family with three kids who were sitting at the table were not amused..... (I, however, thought it was hilarious watching them running away & screaming in horror! lol) At that point I was able to snag up the critter & bagged it to toss out. Good times.....

 

[O2.0]

What would you have done?

I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that it will a) incriminate me, and b) give you even more license to say "I told you so"