Discussion
Anyone got any experience with Lurchers especially older ones. Our local dog rescue place has a 10 year old newly retired male and we were thinking about Fostering if he gets on with our two.
My queries really are related to what would they be doing working and what challenger could a retired one come with?
Awaiting a call back maybe tomorrow but I always like to cast the net wide and consult the PH massive as we are a pretty diverse bunch.
My queries really are related to what would they be doing working and what challenger could a retired one come with?
Awaiting a call back maybe tomorrow but I always like to cast the net wide and consult the PH massive as we are a pretty diverse bunch.
Edited by Jim on the hill on Monday 29th June 21:18
Not an old one, but we have a 3 year old Lurcher with we think some Deerhound in her (rescued from Ireland) who came to us about 4 months old from a terrible life.
Absolute pleasure of a dog. So chilled out, will walk miles or happily sleep all day, only barks when a tractor or transit van goes past ha ha and is brilliant with our young daughter. Doesn't bother with any other dogs when out and about. Travels in the car perfectly however far we go, even for 5-6 hours at a time.
Absolute pleasure of a dog. So chilled out, will walk miles or happily sleep all day, only barks when a tractor or transit van goes past ha ha and is brilliant with our young daughter. Doesn't bother with any other dogs when out and about. Travels in the car perfectly however far we go, even for 5-6 hours at a time.
I've walked quite a few at a rescue. Quite a few common issues, not necessarily unique to lurchers.
Offer poorly socialised with other dogs, with a lifetime in a kennel it's not surprising. Rarely outwardly aggressive but can snap when others get too close. Work slowly, and get professional help if needed.
Strong pray drive. Anything fluffy, or flightly. You'll probably want to spend a long time on a 10m+ lead and then slowly build your confidence in more complex situations.
Play can be a new opportunity to them. So they take a while to learn the "rules". Doesn't take long usually to sort.
Great dogs though. Happy to sleep all day, then out for a jog and back to bed!
Offer poorly socialised with other dogs, with a lifetime in a kennel it's not surprising. Rarely outwardly aggressive but can snap when others get too close. Work slowly, and get professional help if needed.
Strong pray drive. Anything fluffy, or flightly. You'll probably want to spend a long time on a 10m+ lead and then slowly build your confidence in more complex situations.
Play can be a new opportunity to them. So they take a while to learn the "rules". Doesn't take long usually to sort.
Great dogs though. Happy to sleep all day, then out for a jog and back to bed!
Jim on the hill said:
Anyone got any experience with Lurchers especially older ones. Our local dog rescue place has a 10 year old newly retired male and we were thinking about Fostering if he gets on with our two.
My queries really are related to what would they be doing working and would a retired one come with what challenges?
Awaiting a call back maybe tomorrow but I always like to cast the net wide and consult the PH massive as we are a pretty diverse bunch.
Yes, I've had 6 lurchers/sighthound crosses, plus several greyhounds and two whippets.My queries really are related to what would they be doing working and would a retired one come with what challenges?
Awaiting a call back maybe tomorrow but I always like to cast the net wide and consult the PH massive as we are a pretty diverse bunch.
Two have been elderly ex-working lurchers. I don't know much about what the first of them (Ellie) did, she was probably a greyhound/saluki cross (so officially a 'longdog' - cross of two sighthounds - rather than a lurcher). Ellie hadn't had much human interaction or kindness I don't think, and was quite 'detached'. She got on fine with other dogs.
The second one (Joe) was a bull grey/lurcher (a staffy/greyhound cross). He was covered in scars, including on his face, and the general consensus was that he had probably been used for badger baiting. Again, he got on fine with other dogs (I had 3 others at that time) and was the most loving and gentle dog I have ever known. Sadly I only had 2 years with him, I would give anything to have him back; he was a very special dog.
Most working lurchers are used for 'lamping' (hunting rabbits at night). Others are used for hare-coursing, but that's illegal in the UK. So they wouldn't generally be safe around small furry animals and/or cats. Having said that, I've always owned rabbits and guinea pigs too - but they are kept strictly separate from the dogs.
What type/size of dogs do you own? Generally, lurchers have been in contact with other dogs/breeds of dogs unlike most greyhounds, but you would need to know if they are small-dog safe.
You may find that he will need to be muzzled when out (as in the rescue may have this rule).
ETA pictures
Edited by moorx on Monday 29th June 21:52
moorx said:
Mention of leads reminds me - never walk a lurcher or greyhound on an extending lead. If they set off at speed and reach the end of the lead, it can have very bad consequences.
Assuming that was with a collar and not a harness?You can buy leads with a length of bungee (with parallel harness to ensure it doesn't break), to reduce the shock at the end of the lead. And save your shoulder.
Evanivitch said:
moorx said:
Mention of leads reminds me - never walk a lurcher or greyhound on an extending lead. If they set off at speed and reach the end of the lead, it can have very bad consequences.
Assuming that was with a collar and not a harness?You can buy leads with a length of bungee (with parallel harness to ensure it doesn't break), to reduce the shock at the end of the lead. And save your shoulder.
Wow. Thanks all some excellent information and nice to hear all the different stories.
We have a Rottie female and a male young Cyprus mix who's part Beagle, Collie, Samoyed and 'unknown hunting dog' (we tried a DNA test ) our Cyprus rescue is a work in progress off the lead if he spots prey or livestock so very used to him being on lead and only off lead in safe spaces or when we hire a field etc.
We have a 30 metre training lead for him which we use and sometimes a 4 metre shorter lead in spaces we know. He's come a long way in the last 18 months we have had him he was an ex hunting dog in Cyprus before.
We have a Rottie female and a male young Cyprus mix who's part Beagle, Collie, Samoyed and 'unknown hunting dog' (we tried a DNA test ) our Cyprus rescue is a work in progress off the lead if he spots prey or livestock so very used to him being on lead and only off lead in safe spaces or when we hire a field etc.
We have a 30 metre training lead for him which we use and sometimes a 4 metre shorter lead in spaces we know. He's come a long way in the last 18 months we have had him he was an ex hunting dog in Cyprus before.
Edited by Jim on the hill on Monday 29th June 22:00
Jim on the hill said:
Wow. Thanks all some excellent information and nice to hear all the different stories.
We have a Rottie female and a male young Cyprus mix who's part Beagle, Collie, Samoyed and 'unknown hunting dog' (we tried a DNA test ) our Cyprus rescue is terrible off the lead if he spots prey or livestock so very used to him being on lead and only off lead in safe spaces or when we hire a field etc.
Sounds like you would be well-prepared for dealing with what is potentially the most challenging part of lurcher ownership then (prey drive).We have a Rottie female and a male young Cyprus mix who's part Beagle, Collie, Samoyed and 'unknown hunting dog' (we tried a DNA test ) our Cyprus rescue is terrible off the lead if he spots prey or livestock so very used to him being on lead and only off lead in safe spaces or when we hire a field etc.
Do you know what mix this lurcher is, because that can very much determine what they are like?
moorx said:
Jim on the hill said:
Wow. Thanks all some excellent information and nice to hear all the different stories.
We have a Rottie female and a male young Cyprus mix who's part Beagle, Collie, Samoyed and 'unknown hunting dog' (we tried a DNA test ) our Cyprus rescue is terrible off the lead if he spots prey or livestock so very used to him being on lead and only off lead in safe spaces or when we hire a field etc.
Sounds like you would be well-prepared for dealing with what is potentially the most challenging part of lurcher ownership then (prey drive).We have a Rottie female and a male young Cyprus mix who's part Beagle, Collie, Samoyed and 'unknown hunting dog' (we tried a DNA test ) our Cyprus rescue is terrible off the lead if he spots prey or livestock so very used to him being on lead and only off lead in safe spaces or when we hire a field etc.
Do you know what mix this lurcher is, because that can very much determine what they are like?
Jim on the hill said:
moorx said:
Jim on the hill said:
Wow. Thanks all some excellent information and nice to hear all the different stories.
We have a Rottie female and a male young Cyprus mix who's part Beagle, Collie, Samoyed and 'unknown hunting dog' (we tried a DNA test ) our Cyprus rescue is terrible off the lead if he spots prey or livestock so very used to him being on lead and only off lead in safe spaces or when we hire a field etc.
Sounds like you would be well-prepared for dealing with what is potentially the most challenging part of lurcher ownership then (prey drive).We have a Rottie female and a male young Cyprus mix who's part Beagle, Collie, Samoyed and 'unknown hunting dog' (we tried a DNA test ) our Cyprus rescue is terrible off the lead if he spots prey or livestock so very used to him being on lead and only off lead in safe spaces or when we hire a field etc.
Do you know what mix this lurcher is, because that can very much determine what they are like?
Might be a bull lurcher, which is a very popular mix for working lurchers.
moorx said:
Jim on the hill said:
moorx said:
Jim on the hill said:
Wow. Thanks all some excellent information and nice to hear all the different stories.
We have a Rottie female and a male young Cyprus mix who's part Beagle, Collie, Samoyed and 'unknown hunting dog' (we tried a DNA test ) our Cyprus rescue is terrible off the lead if he spots prey or livestock so very used to him being on lead and only off lead in safe spaces or when we hire a field etc.
Sounds like you would be well-prepared for dealing with what is potentially the most challenging part of lurcher ownership then (prey drive).We have a Rottie female and a male young Cyprus mix who's part Beagle, Collie, Samoyed and 'unknown hunting dog' (we tried a DNA test ) our Cyprus rescue is terrible off the lead if he spots prey or livestock so very used to him being on lead and only off lead in safe spaces or when we hire a field etc.
Do you know what mix this lurcher is, because that can very much determine what they are like?
Might be a bull lurcher, which is a very popular mix for working lurchers.
Great pictures Moorx
Edited by Jim on the hill on Monday 29th June 22:32
So bit of an update, had a long chat with the rescue centre and apparently he was used for hunting foxes which is something they are coming across more and more recently.
He's a calm boy who likes a comfy bed and the company of humans and other dogs. He's been fostered once and was given up as he knocked the toaster over...
Not all good news for the lad though, he potentially has renal failure or a very bad urinary infection. He's on a second round of stronger antibiotics but he's still loving his food so they are hoping it is just an infection. Also needs neutering and his teeth done, he has been chipped in the last couple of weeks.
The rescue couldn't fault him, he's very soft, quiet and walks very well on the lead.
Off to meet him with our two on Saturday for a run around a secure field. He sounds like he will fit into our pack.
He's a calm boy who likes a comfy bed and the company of humans and other dogs. He's been fostered once and was given up as he knocked the toaster over...
Not all good news for the lad though, he potentially has renal failure or a very bad urinary infection. He's on a second round of stronger antibiotics but he's still loving his food so they are hoping it is just an infection. Also needs neutering and his teeth done, he has been chipped in the last couple of weeks.
The rescue couldn't fault him, he's very soft, quiet and walks very well on the lead.
Off to meet him with our two on Saturday for a run around a secure field. He sounds like he will fit into our pack.
Jim on the hill said:
So bit of an update, had a long chat with the rescue centre and apparently he was used for hunting foxes which is something they are coming across more and more recently.
He's a calm boy who likes a comfy bed and the company of humans and other dogs. He's been fostered once and was given up as he knocked the toaster over...
Not all good news for the lad though, he potentially has renal failure or a very bad urinary infection. He's on a second round of stronger antibiotics but he's still loving his food so they are hoping it is just an infection. Also needs neutering and his teeth done, he has been chipped in the last couple of weeks.
The rescue couldn't fault him, he's very soft, quiet and walks very well on the lead.
Off to meet him with our two on Saturday for a run around a secure field. He sounds like he will fit into our pack.
Take what the rescue tells you with a pinch of salt.He's a calm boy who likes a comfy bed and the company of humans and other dogs. He's been fostered once and was given up as he knocked the toaster over...
Not all good news for the lad though, he potentially has renal failure or a very bad urinary infection. He's on a second round of stronger antibiotics but he's still loving his food so they are hoping it is just an infection. Also needs neutering and his teeth done, he has been chipped in the last couple of weeks.
The rescue couldn't fault him, he's very soft, quiet and walks very well on the lead.
Off to meet him with our two on Saturday for a run around a secure field. He sounds like he will fit into our pack.
A 10yr old lurcher used for foxing will have it written large all over his face,
Lurchers are pretty lazy, easy to have around the house, sociable , generally great natured with all and sundry.
Issue will be prey drive out walking, but in a 10 yrs old I wouldn't worry about it catching too many deer or hares.
It might, but it's best working days are behind it.
Once he latches onto you you likely won't need to bother with a lead either
They all have two traits though. Selective hearing and thieving.
Jim on the hill said:
So bit of an update, had a long chat with the rescue centre and apparently he was used for hunting foxes which is something they are coming across more and more recently.
He's a calm boy who likes a comfy bed and the company of humans and other dogs. He's been fostered once and was given up as he knocked the toaster over...
Not all good news for the lad though, he potentially has renal failure or a very bad urinary infection. He's on a second round of stronger antibiotics but he's still loving his food so they are hoping it is just an infection. Also needs neutering and his teeth done, he has been chipped in the last couple of weeks.
The rescue couldn't fault him, he's very soft, quiet and walks very well on the lead.
Off to meet him with our two on Saturday for a run around a secure field. He sounds like he will fit into our pack.
Good luck, he sounds lovely. Knocking the toaster over sounds about right! Hope he gets better soon. Just as well he's not nearer to me, I might be tempted!He's a calm boy who likes a comfy bed and the company of humans and other dogs. He's been fostered once and was given up as he knocked the toaster over...
Not all good news for the lad though, he potentially has renal failure or a very bad urinary infection. He's on a second round of stronger antibiotics but he's still loving his food so they are hoping it is just an infection. Also needs neutering and his teeth done, he has been chipped in the last couple of weeks.
The rescue couldn't fault him, he's very soft, quiet and walks very well on the lead.
Off to meet him with our two on Saturday for a run around a secure field. He sounds like he will fit into our pack.
Brads67 said:
moorx said:
The rescue will probably insist that he is walked on a lead (and possibly muzzled) if he is a foster.
Why would anyone "foster" a 10 yr old dog. Just take him surely ? He'll not have that long left as most are dead by 14 or so.Not being a dick, just asking a question.
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