At age 9 some 50 years ago Having one of these in the basket on the front of my bike was like ,every day was an adventure for both of us and we knew it .My first one was called "Badger".
The back box on the bike had the Ferrets and the crossbar had the 4/10 ,the Fishing rod angled out the back of the saddle like a Flag and held on by bailing twine.
The maggots and worms were under my jumper in an old Shortbread tin and tied securely to stop falling out with a Snake belt (Do you remember them Trekmoor ? ) ..they were a brilliant piece of kit.
A beating line on a Driven Pheasant shoot should always have a Terrier (imo) . They can get in cover that even the most determined Spaniel cannot ! and mostly ,any other breeds stay away ,If and when you are sweeping up and the terrier has found one .
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"Roxy" ,however lives in North London and has no experience of Shooting ,or beating or Formal hunting . But it does have access to Parks and woods and areas which do have wildlife like Rabbits and squirrels and almost anything else that Moves ,including other dogs and people . With a history of Chasing off after anything and anything and anyone ,that is No life for a wee Border Terrier ,nor is it the life the Owners had envisaged when they gained a bundle of fur at 8 weeks old ,with an idyllic vision of walking through our green and pleasant land on a Sunny Easter weekend with the Family.
Roxy owners are also unlikely to ever go shooting unless it is with an AR15 involving anti -terrorist activity and full assault team from MI5 ,Or the Met in London with Full body armour.
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Roxy was collected after 10 days ,and the owners presented with an Acme 210 1/2 whistle and a lead . "What commands do I give Roxy ?" said the owners. "One pip with the whistle to stop ,and rapid pips with the whistle to come in" I replied .
Is that It ? > ..Yea pretty much , anything else is far too complicated for all concerned ,except Roxy ,she has learned much more .
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I dont usually have these breeds or clients these last 20 years ,more used to Retrievers/Spaniels /HPR's . Good to have a check call once in a while ,whether it is a Dachshund a Chihuahua or a Great Dane . Every "Gundog Breed" has to have at least the same Basic discipline and Training as all of them before any attempt at Field Training or in the shooting field . Many owners just want to Jump right to a start point that skips this stuff.
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Roxy went home after 8 days . !
The owners have had her for 5 years . I hope her next few weeks are enjoyed by her new name given by me .."Heel"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCUuReohCwo