I have been thinking about getting a new dog. The patterdale seems like it might be a good fit. Small enough to help under a house and helping weeding out animals in backyards. It wouldn't be going in attics just under houses.
Anyone have any experience with these little terriers?

I love them. If you could make contact with a terrier club you could maybe get a good deal on one. Americans want them to be very small and sometimes a very good dog gets to big to get down holes around roots etc. A working dog person can't stand leaving that good dog home but he can't do what they want and they have several. This work is perfect for a patterdale and when they realize you have a job for that dog they may give you a good deal on him or her. They don't want him being just a pet. You should volunteer to go hunting with them and do some recreationl digging. Even if you have to pay a good price you will be able to start working him immediately.
Some people want a puppy but you have a year or two of development and if you like the dog and his relationship with his owner he will be the same with you in a short time. You never know how a puppy is going to turn out.
If I was going to use him on ground hogs to determine which holes to set I would put him on leash or you will be digging him and the hog out unless he is to big to get down the hole.
One of the best uses is if an animal has actually entered the living quarters and the customer isn't sure he left or is hiding. After the patterdale searches you andyour customer will know he is not in the living quarters. If he doesn't catch it he will make it leave or corner it.

I had one and if you let him loose he was gone underground or looking for a critter to fight with.Had to dig him out twice. If they are bread correctly if they see a hole they are going to go in so be prepares and know what you are getting yourself into with this breed.

Well I got a pup now. 9 weeks old. He is already going into gopher sets. Crazy little dog.

I can see the headlines now: "Dog Kills Three Housecats, Two Pet Rabbits, and a Cockatoo, While Looking For Squirrel: Pictures at Ten"

www.ranchofiasco.com is where I got my jack Russell. Mike has some [Please excuse my language... I'm an idiot] good hunting Patterdales. I bring my dog with me everyday and shes the best little partner a guy could ask for. She is a soft nose terrier which I'm glad about because of the kill factor. Patterdales are usually a more hard nosed breed and it may be difficult to call him or her out of holes or off of an animal. If you do the training right it could be the best idea you've had. If you do it wrong you might just end up with a crazy little killing machine that gets lost or killed. Let's see some pics of the little dog.

Heres a pic.
No he didn't chew the hole in the couch. That was from my sister in-laws puppy.

And he does look a little small for a collarum. Keep us informed. What kind of puppy has your sister-in-law got?

She had a boxer, before I took it to the pound.

Thanks for introducing me to the breed.

Ring you're welcome. You can check out his dad and brothers here.http://californiacatchers.com/

Ring you're welcome. You can check out his dad and brothers here. patterdales