When I first investigated English Shepherds, one of the “side benefits” was the tendency of these dogs to “dispatch vermin” according to the breed standard.
When you’ve had dogs give rabbits, deer, raccoons, skunks, mice, moles, and voles free rein in your yard and garden… dispatching vermin is an excellent idea!
I have to say, these dogs are GREAT at this job!
I have no deer in my yard… or within 100 yards of my house.
I can raise corn in my garden… with no raccoons eating it… in fact, they treed one just a few weeks ago.
Rabbits give them more fits as they are sneaky… and the hunt is usually on!
Rockchucks by the old house tease them as well, but a few have learned their final lesson.
Moles and voles… watch out if my dogs catch your scent!
I caught up to the girls as they caught a whiff of *something*.
Elsa quickly digs…
They tag team digging…
Elsa gets serious.
How can she breathe?
It’s hard work… pant*pant.
It escaped them this time…
Lucky mole.
Yes.
My dogs eat them.
This video I took a few weeks ago.
Watch it carefully.
At the 1:14 mark, a mole appears *underneath* Lucas and runs to the creekbank. I excitedly sic Elsa on the “mouse”, and the mole jumps into the creek! I’m laughing so hard!
This one got away *creatively*!
Poor Elsa doesn’t like to swim, either!
Varmint Gitters from Carol Greet on Vimeo.
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