The terrier's role is not to fight with its quarry, but to locate it underground and to bark at it continuously, either causing it to leave the earth or alternatively to indicate where in the earth the quarry is located in order that it can be dug to and dispatched. Most recognised packs of foxhounds and minkhounds use terriers to locate or flush their quarry from below ground. Terriers are used by gamekeepers who are required to control foxes, particularly in woodland where shooting may be impractical. Independent pest control services are also available, wherever rats, rabbits, mink or foxes are causing damage. The Quarry Terriers are most commonly used to control rats on and around the farm, rabbits, mink and foxes.
Rats carry diseases that can be fatal to both humans and animals.
Rabbits eat and destroy farmers' crops and young trees, and damage embankments and dykes by burrowing. Mink are a serious threat to fish and water fowl - a single breeding female will make up to 800 kills a year. Foxes prey on poultry, lambs, piglets and ground-nesting birds. While poisons are commonly used to control rats, they are dangerous to pets, farmyard animals and other wildlife, and must be used with great care. They tend to work slowly, and there is no doubt rats suffer considerably.