Patriot Realm

For centuries, dogs have been regarded as indispensable allies in the ongoing battle against pests, particularly rats. Their keen senses, agility, and unwavering loyalty has made them invaluable assets in various fields, from agriculture to urban sanitation. 

Rat plagues have haunted our societies since who knows when. Most children have heard the tale of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. 

We talk of " rats deserting sinking ships " and rats being used as euphemisms for liars and traitors. So today, I want to talk about rats. And the dogs who were bred to catch them. Our modern day Jack Russell's and Fox Terriers are a whole new breed.  Specially designed to hunt down and destroy human rats. 

In a world overrun with double-speaking politicians and gravy-train-riding bureaucrats, a revolutionary new breed of dog has emerged ...the Sniffrauder. Specially bred for its unparalleled ability to detect hypocrisy at fifty paces, the Sniffrauder can track down the scent of a backroom deal even through layers of taxpayer-funded luxury.

This tenacious hound comes equipped with an acute sense of deception, a bark that sounds suspiciously like a polygraph machine, and a bite that ensures accountability. Known for cornering its prey until they resign in disgrace, the Sniffrauder is every crooked person ’s worst nightmare and every honest citizen’s best friend. Future breeding programs hope to enhance its ability to detect "accidental" offshore bank accounts and any dodgy dealings.

Truly, the Sniffrauder is man's best friend - if man isn’t on the take.

But back to Rats and Rat Catchers. We are certainly seeing a few Sniffrauders being unleashed in Washington DC right now. 

For too long, rats have been disguising themselves and the Snifffrauder teams are unmasking them faster than a Jack Russell after a Queensland crow.  

Historically, mankind has been after rats for more centuries than mankind has been able to poke a stick. The earliest known written accounts of the Pied Piper, for example,  date back to the Middle Ages, with the earliest reference found in a stained glass window in the Church of Hamelin dating to around 1300 AD. The story, however, likely predates this written record and may have been passed down through oral tradition. 

According to the legend, the town of Hamelin in Lower Saxony, Germany, faced a severe rat infestation during the 13th century. Desperate to rid the town of these pests, the mayor and townspeople sought the help of a mysterious piper dressed in colorful attire. The piper promised to rid the town of rats in exchange for payment.

With his enchanted pipe, the Pied Piper lured the rats out of Hamelin and led them to the River Weser, where they drowned. However, when the townspeople reneged on their promise and refused to pay the piper, he exacted his revenge by using his pipe to lead away the town's children, who followed him mesmerised by his music. The children were never seen again, leaving behind an empty and grief-stricken town. 

But in the old days, during the Middle Ages, Europe grappled with rampant rat populations, which posed significant threats to food supplies and public health. Dogs, including terriers, spaniels, and even larger breeds like mastiffs, became indispensable assets in combating this menace. Monasteries, in particular, relied on skilled canine rat catchers to safeguard their food stores and manuscripts from rodent damage.

The development of specialised ratting terrier breeds marked a significant turning point in the history of pest control. In 19th-century Britain, ratting terriers, such as the Jack Russell Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier, gained popularity for their exceptional rat-catching abilities. These small but fearless dogs were capable of navigating tight spaces and dispatching rats with remarkable efficiency, earning them praise as indispensable allies in the fight against the vermin.

The advent of the Industrial Revolution brought about rapid urbanisation and intensified rat infestations in burgeoning cities. Dogs continued to play a crucial role in controlling rat populations, particularly in overcrowded slums and industrial areas where sanitation standards were often lacking. Rat-catching became a lucrative profession for both humans and their canine companions, with skilled terriers commanding high wages for their services. 

Perhaps one of the most famous rat-catching dogs in history was a Jack Russell Terrier named Jack. Jack became renowned in the early 19th century for his exceptional ability to catch rats in London's rat-infested streets. His exploits were even celebrated in a book titled "The Life and Adventures of Jack, the Famous Rat-Killer," published in 1828.

Another notable rat-catching dog was Toby, a terrier who lived in New York City during the 19th century. Toby gained fame for his rat-catching abilities, which he put to good use in clearing out warehouses and factories plagued by rodents.

While not primarily known as a rat catcher, Nipper achieved fame as the iconic image associated with the RCA Victor company's logo. Nipper was a terrier mix who became famous for his pose of listening intently to a phonograph. Although Nipper's primary role was as a model for the company's advertising, he is often associated with the idea of vigilance and attentiveness, qualities that are also valuable in rat-catching dogs.

 So what is our conclusion for today? 

I suppose it is this. As the rats grow fat on ill-gotten cheese, gnawing through the foundations of a once-great house, the need for the Sniffrauder has never been greater. Left unchecked, these vermin breed in the shadows, their nests lined with red tape and their tails tangled in loopholes.

It is a rugged, no-nonsense breed, with the keen nose and the relentless determination. It has sharp, intelligent eyes that can spot a backroom deal from a mile away. Its ears perk up at the sound of an expense account being misused, and its growl is reserved for those caught red-handed. It's golden hair is a trademark. 

But the Sniffrauder does not tire, does not waver...it follows the stench of deception to the source, flushing out the rodents before their plague spreads beyond control. If we wish to save the house, we must unleash the hounds. Because when the rats rule the granary, famine is only a matter of time.

I rather like this new rat catcher. 

Shaydee.