I’ve owned Rat Terriers my whole life, and can attest to their instinctive killing efficiency. Unlike Jack Russell’s, they’re very docile until it’s time to do their jobs. Then, in a millisecond they become extremely violent; kill quickly by shaking their victim from side-to-side until their neck snaps; then drop said victim to find another; and then, return to your lap to go back to sleep. Unlike cats, they don’t return to, play with or carry around their victims, and in fact, ignore them as if nothing ever happened. It’s the damnest thing you’ll ever witness.
I had a Yorkshire terrier that was similarly efficient. Boy did I love that dog!
My neighbor has a JRT. “A good dog! Unless you’re a rat. Then he’s a very, very bad dog.”
They just have this thing about rats I guess.
I rescued a Pattefdale terrier ftom tbe pound
and thought I’d be fostering her forever because she was kind of a spaz. WRONG. I adopted her out to a farmer within a few days who adores her for the work she does killing rats. She has a place of honor in the family because she is so loving with the kids.
Just caught my misspell. That’s Patterdale.
Our mini dachshund does the same thing with mice. Our detached garage is a mouse haven. My husband says, “ let’s go get a mouse!” And the dog flies out the door, runs in the garage, roots around til he finds a mouse, grabs it and breaks its neck, throws it down, and runs and finds another.