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
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
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?
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.
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.
dhutch said:
We have a greyhound collie lurcher, now 10yo, which we have had for four years since six.
Lovely lad, he was always a pet and direct from his previous home (which we visited to view him, and again to collect him) obviously spent a lot of time in the garage, obviously not overly socialised with other dogs, obviously ran rings around the woman who wasn't a dog person and tried to keep her house show-home standard with two young children and said hound. Clearly healthy in himself, but does also finch occasionally and very sensitive to feet as well as to being crowded, especially lying down. So very different to an ex-working dog, but also not without some of the challenges.
He has been great for us. Super gentle, really good with humans and children, quickly learnt to not jump up on women and then follow direction from my partner and our dog walker (never tried it on with me/men) sleeps a huge amount of the day, but then loves to go to an open beach/field and run, if also happy to walk on the lead if not really to heal without a lot of work and ecoragment.
He hasn't really stolen any food other than the odd pack of butter, but I am sure i would if you left it out, that said we can leave a butter dish of defrosting meat on the worktop. New dog is ex-stray street dog and really will find anything edible at speed!
Does like a soft bed, we found the Earthbound Tweed one very good so four years on have just bought a second for the new dog. Doesnt like going in the garden if it is raining but will walk in the rain.
Has mild social anxiety with other dogs, certainly if near our house, or on the lead in a narrow lane, bit of a thing for male cockpoos and spaniels (fair enough, right?) but generally ok off lead.
In the vets, dont try and hold him, hates it. But will let you do anything you want to him if he has a block of cheese to nibble on!
Stupidly low pain threshold. Will yelp if he runs over a slight bump in the ground funny, limps like his has broken limbs for about 100yrds, then is totally fine again, sometimes not for a fortnight, sometimes twice in one walk!
Most say avoid food with more than about 18-20% protein although we have no issues with various foods, about 2/3 kibble 1/2 wet. If he doesn't like it, or you put down too much, he will just leave it. We feed him twice a day as thats what was recommended, he seams to eat move of an evening so we go with that.
Not sure what else to add.
Daniel
Thanks, appreciate the information. Ours are pretty hardy so if he did yelp that would be surprising so nice to know it may not be dramatic.Lovely lad, he was always a pet and direct from his previous home (which we visited to view him, and again to collect him) obviously spent a lot of time in the garage, obviously not overly socialised with other dogs, obviously ran rings around the woman who wasn't a dog person and tried to keep her house show-home standard with two young children and said hound. Clearly healthy in himself, but does also finch occasionally and very sensitive to feet as well as to being crowded, especially lying down. So very different to an ex-working dog, but also not without some of the challenges.
He has been great for us. Super gentle, really good with humans and children, quickly learnt to not jump up on women and then follow direction from my partner and our dog walker (never tried it on with me/men) sleeps a huge amount of the day, but then loves to go to an open beach/field and run, if also happy to walk on the lead if not really to heal without a lot of work and ecoragment.
He hasn't really stolen any food other than the odd pack of butter, but I am sure i would if you left it out, that said we can leave a butter dish of defrosting meat on the worktop. New dog is ex-stray street dog and really will find anything edible at speed!
Does like a soft bed, we found the Earthbound Tweed one very good so four years on have just bought a second for the new dog. Doesnt like going in the garden if it is raining but will walk in the rain.
Has mild social anxiety with other dogs, certainly if near our house, or on the lead in a narrow lane, bit of a thing for male cockpoos and spaniels (fair enough, right?) but generally ok off lead.
In the vets, dont try and hold him, hates it. But will let you do anything you want to him if he has a block of cheese to nibble on!
Stupidly low pain threshold. Will yelp if he runs over a slight bump in the ground funny, limps like his has broken limbs for about 100yrds, then is totally fine again, sometimes not for a fortnight, sometimes twice in one walk!
Most say avoid food with more than about 18-20% protein although we have no issues with various foods, about 2/3 kibble 1/2 wet. If he doesn't like it, or you put down too much, he will just leave it. We feed him twice a day as thats what was recommended, he seams to eat move of an evening so we go with that.
Not sure what else to add.
Daniel
Chocmonster said:
This is Charlie, I haven't a clue what is in him but people have told me something along the lines of Greyhound, Saluki & maybe a bit of bull.
He's 4 and I adopted him just over a year ago from Dogs Trust with no history other than his chip said he was bred in Sheffield. I have a feeling that he was used for hunting as he has no dew claws, hates squirrels and killed a rat recently.
He's my first sighthound (previous dog was a terrier), he's stubborn, gets far too excited when he spots other dogs, loves my 6 year old nephew and charms everyone he meets. He also takes over the sofa, weighs 26kg and has no idea of how big he is.
Oh and yes he does the Scream of Death very well too.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/TFAkmZ1s[/u
He looks fantastic. We had the home check tonight and passed so all go for the meeting on Saturday. It's a secure field so we can let them all run free which is nice. The rescue seems to think he might be a Lurcher Labrador cross.He's 4 and I adopted him just over a year ago from Dogs Trust with no history other than his chip said he was bred in Sheffield. I have a feeling that he was used for hunting as he has no dew claws, hates squirrels and killed a rat recently.
He's my first sighthound (previous dog was a terrier), he's stubborn, gets far too excited when he spots other dogs, loves my 6 year old nephew and charms everyone he meets. He also takes over the sofa, weighs 26kg and has no idea of how big he is.
Oh and yes he does the Scream of Death very well too.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/TFAkmZ1s[/u
moorx said:
Jim on the hill said:
We had the home check tonight and passed so all go for the meeting on Saturday. It's a secure field so we can let them all run free which is nice. The rescue seems to think he might be a Lurcher Labrador cross.
I've had one of those too 
Hudson:
Update: we had the meeting today and our Rottie girl was fine apart from when he tried to mount her. He's no snipped yet and can't be until blood tests come back to rule out kidney failure.
Our boy however was not keen, seemed quite jealous and protective. It could have been just too much stimulation for them all.
The dog we met was absolutely fantastic and I would have taken him there and then if they got in. He was confident, calm, not overly energetic and warmed up was friendly with a few licks. Lovely temperament and genuinely gutted to have to say no at the moment.
Keen to try just my boy with him in the next couple of weeks to see if they can get on, hopefully after he's been snipped.
So sad that he's basically in a shelter because of his age, cracking dog.
Here are some pictures and I really hope this isn't the last update. Alternatively if any one else is interested in him I can vouch he's fantastic and worth the trip.
Our boy however was not keen, seemed quite jealous and protective. It could have been just too much stimulation for them all.
The dog we met was absolutely fantastic and I would have taken him there and then if they got in. He was confident, calm, not overly energetic and warmed up was friendly with a few licks. Lovely temperament and genuinely gutted to have to say no at the moment.
Keen to try just my boy with him in the next couple of weeks to see if they can get on, hopefully after he's been snipped.
So sad that he's basically in a shelter because of his age, cracking dog.
Here are some pictures and I really hope this isn't the last update. Alternatively if any one else is interested in him I can vouch he's fantastic and worth the trip.
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