Rabbit Control?

My OH has expressed potential interest in getting a working dog to control the local rabbit population - particularly on the golf course where he works and where they are becoming quite a problem.

Neither of us has any experience of this type of working dog & I would like some basic information before we decide whether to research it seriously:-

Terrier or Lurcher?
What would be the main advantages/disadvantes of each?

How/Where do you train?
I realise that the dog will have stong instincts, but we would need to learn how to do things properly e.g. being able to call them off when necessary (and bringing back the kill?).
Are there any courses/trainers that specialise in this or is it a question of trying to find someone who already works their dogs and learning from them?

If we did want to look into it further, what reading/ research would you recommend?

Thanks

I would get a gun! If its a golf course, a Lurcher running a Rabbit will churn it up turning and a terrier will almost always be too slow. Get an air rifle and do a bit of practice shooting on private land, target shooting, its pointless using a dog on a surface that must be kept level and in good condition, shooting them is by far the best method for the situation you describe.
Dawn.

Thanks Dawn, good points (although I would be interested to see whether a lurcher would do any more damage than the golfers do themselves)

Get a Wire Haired Dachshund!
Becky

LOL, thats true enough.

I agree with Dawn, if it's all about rabbit control, I would use a gun.

If you do want to work a dog, a lurcher would be better. I don't think there are any courses, it would be a case of finding someone to help you, or read a few books.

Helen

Thanks Helen.

I think my original post came over slightly wrong - it isn't that he has a problem with the rabbits and thought a dog was the best solution; he expressed interest in working a dog & this would have potentially been an opportunity to do so. Not sure if I'm explaining myself properly, but the dog would be wanted for itself, not just as a tool if you see what I mean.

Anyway, I'll see how serious he really is and do some reading, so if anyone can suggest any good books etc. that would be great.

I don't know much about it, just what I've learnt from being on other forums where people work their dogs.
I think terriers are generally used underground to chase out the quarry, sometimes having to be dug out... probably not best fot the golf course! Ferrets are also used in this fashion. Lurchers of course are used to chse them above ground. Netting is often used round the area to be worked to prevent the rabbits escaping.

I know nothing of the training aspect, but dogs need to have good control, waiting till the owner gives them the say so to chase and have excellent recall. Then there is training them to bring the quarry back to hand.

Have a look online for working lurcher and terrier clubs near you. Also for lurcher and terrier shows in your area, you'll find alot of knowledgable people there. However the show season is soon drawing to a close for the year.

Good luck.