Dogs are also far more expensive, in both cost of care and time/labor.
There are many places in the US that have more of a problem with feral cats than rodents (which doesn't happen with dogs as much here). Some trap/neuter/release programs exist for these, but they struggle. Often the only service they provide the community - beyond simply neutering the wild cats - is a steady supply of pet kittens (also made sterile). I'm sure many people involved would love to see the wild parent cats actually made useful for something, which could also help reduce the problem of the thousands of unwanted cats that are euthanized every day.
Grew up with cats that would kill mice, but weren't very good at it. Got a miniature pinscher, which were also bred to kill rodents, and it was amazing how lethal they were around mice. Grab, bite, dead.
I'll put a terrier up against a cat any day. As you describe: grab, bite, dead, move on to the next one. None of this "let's play with it for a bit" crap from cats, there's work to be done.
Mole problem? Borrow a dachshund for a week, no more moles. For efficient, methodical obliteration of a local pest population, hard to beat a canine for Terminator-like determination and efficiency. Cats just dick around too much.
I'll put my cats up against your terrier any day. Bite, whimper, dead. That would be your terrier.
Umm, I think you misread my statement, which was intended as "in a contest of who catches the most rats...". It was not intended as cat vs. dog in a cage match.
Though if that's the direction you want to go, the terriers I personally have are "American Pit Bull Terriers". Tell your cat to bring its A game.
Yeaaaaahhhh I grew up on a farm. I can tell you from experience once a dog (of more than the toy size) gets a taste of killing cats it's no contest. Cats are tough but if a dog wants to kill a cat, it's a dead cat. Full stop.
My parents have a story when they had some rats that got into the hay in a dog house their scottie had the best day of its life. 13 dead rats later she was bummed she didn't get to play any more.
After an unpleasant experience with rats in a big city, I found the Youtube videos of "ratter" Plummer Terriers going to work morbidly satisfying. Although I've wondered if it's the bite or the shake that finishes the job.
There are many places in the US that have more of a problem with feral cats than rodents (which doesn't happen with dogs as much here). Some trap/neuter/release programs exist for these, but they struggle. Often the only service they provide the community - beyond simply neutering the wild cats - is a steady supply of pet kittens (also made sterile). I'm sure many people involved would love to see the wild parent cats actually made useful for something, which could also help reduce the problem of the thousands of unwanted cats that are euthanized every day.