Still do them
Popped up on FB from RuralHistoria (who have a lot of good photos)
Official rat-catcher for Southern Railway with Terriers and quarry. 1924.
I’ve seen a Sankey trailer loaded full to the brim with rats from just one farm by proper terriermen working with ferrets, terriers and lurchers to catch the runners. The dogs LOVE their work, but only the gamest of ferrets will keep at it - rats can do some damage if they turn, and they will sometimes…
If socks were rats, my house would be strewn with rodent corpses every day, thanks to Nellie.
Round about that time my dad would go with his dad to Speke Hall, then inhabited by the Misses Norris, who invited The Men (as my dad called them) to deploy their ratters in the barns. No doubt bets were laid.
Used to have to stand still for ages for old pics. It’s not three dogs there is x1 Patch
Astra type terrier
The Cerberus of Yelverton.
This fucker:
Is an absolute fucking machine when it comes to Ratting.
He earned the respect of all the Neighbours when there was a rat problem.
I’ve seen him in action. He also goes for foxes. And wins.
A well dressed thug?
He has that ‘farm cat’ look that is usually the sign of a good hunter - they have to be or they go hungry. My grandad called them ‘sixpenny’ because they were actually worth something.
Mum calls him James Bond! He is badass, however soft as butter with his pet humans.
He also likes music. He was listening with me until 04:00 this morning!
What an adorable pusscat! Very active social life!
He doesn’t fuck about, does he? Breaking into a Naval Base?
As long as he doesn’t start sleeping with junior ranks he should be OK.
Although slightly concerned part 3 will have him sat in a torpedo tube.
Looks a lot like Jaco to me.
James Taylor?
With a bass?