training JRT to rabbit hunt

[beaufort]

I own two short leg JRT 1 yr male and 10 months female

I tried to get them to tree squirrel with my treeing feist, but they wont bark up(tree) . so I want to put them on rabbit. I use to own beagles to run rabbit. and was woundering how do the JRT compare to the beagle on rabbits. I think the JRT will put more heat on the rabbit, but can they hold a track like the beagle? How should I start them? do I need a beagle to train them? how open are they on track?

[Joby]

Most JRTs I've seen mostly acted as jump dogs. Their noses are no where near as good as a beagle's. Which leads to the question, why not just use your beagles?
-Joe

[beaufort]

I use to own beagles now I have none, just JRT along with my treeing feist. Have a pack of JRT's ever ran a rabbit alone. How much rabbit hunting ablity do they have?

[Joby]

As with anything, it depends on the dog. But, they are great jump dogs and some of them can follow the scent line, although not as well as a beagle or dachshund. OhioRT's sponsor has a great JRT named Gary who is just a phenomenal rabbit dog. Just be aware that those JRTs that are 12 lbs or under have a tendency to go underground after the rabbits when necessary. You might want to get the book, Rabbit Hawkers Dogs. It will tell you alot about working with JRTs on bunnies.
-joe

[mdsquirrelhawker2]

I know of some falconers here in MD that would tell you something different about JRT's. Personally I run 3 mini d's but I have seen some really good JRT's work bunnies. Also Joby, don't you have mini d's? Have you invested in some deben transmitters for them yet? You better because if you got them from Teddy M. They will eventually go to ground. All 3 of my mini's go to ground. We hunt groundhogs spring to fall. I know its expensive but its well worth it when your dog goes to ground and you have no idea where it is down there.

[mdsquirrelhawker2]

oh yea....answering your question about starting them. Get a few baggies and let them chase it/kill it and EAT it. You should then hide one and let them find it and chase it/kill it and EAT it. You should not have any problems after that. Just take them out and let them chase bunnies. The more exposure they get the better they will be.

[rdtle123]

I am in the market for a Parson Russell Terrier (leggier than the JRT), and have pondered about a Mini D for at least a year now. I have heard that a mini is harder to house train, and like a beagle, hard to call out of the field. Any opinions about this would help. Thanks

[Joby]

Actually, JRTs can much more difficult to control in the field than a mini doxie. All the ones that I have see disappeared when off the leash and self hunted. The mini doxies stay much closer, check back frequently (didn't initially believe that until I witnessed it with my own eyes) and have a much better nose than a JRT. JRTs can be tremendous flushing dogs, but a mini doxie can flush and track the bunny, AND flush it out of almost anywhere that it might hide. Plus, you can easily chase down a mini-D without much difficulty.

[Falcon Boy]

Im with joby all the way

[rdtle123]

How are the Minis with house training? I have heard that they are EXTERMLY HARD TO TRAIN. This is not the only reason that I have leaned towards a PRT, or JRT, but this will be a member of my family for the next 10yrs give or take.

[rdtle123]

do much spell checking?

[Falcon Boy]

Never really bothered with mine since he's outside prolly 75% of the time, when he wants to pee he jumps at the door. everyone i knows dogs do the same.

[MarkT]

rdtle123 said:

but this will be a member of my family for the next 10yrs give or take.

Sounds like your selling them short. I had to put my last JRT to sleep when she was almost 18.

[rt]

Crate training works great for house breaking.

[Joby]

I agree with RT. My 5-yr old male mini-doxie Cobie was a kenneled dog before I got him last September and we used a crate to house train him. He caught on REAL quick and now he doesn't have any problems. Crate training does wonders. I'll definitely be starting the puppies I'll get from breeding them next month on crate training.
-Joby