teesshikari

I only have the one pooch so cost not that much. I give a tablespoonful with his morning feed every day. I just get the three for two offer from tesco. I think his coat is in better nick since I used it but I mainly use it to look after his joints for when he gets older.

Do mainland hunting laws apply in NI ? Just curious.

I feed mine Nutrix super premium complete when I feed dry. It is made in UK from human grade food ( according to the advert ) . The dog loves it and his craps are solid and don't stink the garden out like happens with the cheaper stuff. They have their own website nutrixpetfoods.co.UK . I tend to feed more raw food after getting advice from some on the forum but have no problems feeding this dry food.

Will double check Richard but think it was "of pedigree unknown" where Drabble mentions staffies quite a bit. He talks of dog fighting as a popular underground sport dying out due to increased police interest, neighbours getting nosier and the dog men involved turning to whippet racing as it became popular again. I guess he us referring to 1950s or 1960s. It was reading Drabble that got me interested in staffies and I pestered my mam and dad till I got one for my 13th birthday. Ge was a cracking dog and best present ever.

People use various aliases for a pit bull . Irish staffie is one of those. Suprising how many large muscular pit bull dogs appear these days which are described as irish staffs to avoid possible police interest Maybe they breed them big over the water !

People use various aliases for a pit bull . Irish staffie is one of those. Suprising how many large muscular pit bull dogs appear these days which are described as irish staffs to avoid possible police interest Maybe they breed them big over the water !

Isn't irish staff often used as an alias for pitbull ? I think Phil Drabble wrote about staffies being quietly bred into supposedly pure race whippet lines to give the dog a but more determination . Staffies bond strongly and quickly with their owners so that's another bonus for you.

I work shifts and balancing family life and dog and work is a bloody nightmare. Luckily for me the wife is home to babysit the pooch. Sometimes though I think it is the time out and about with the dog that stops me cracking up. Often been told by my dad years ago that we work to live not live to work. I wish I had listened to him more ! Good luck in finding a job you can live with.

I can see the logic in feeding raw carcasses but I can't get past the mental block of being told as a kid not to give dogs small bones as they might splinter. I have chickened out and buy pet mince and ox livers from the butcher that I mix with chopped carrot and apples etc. Only on my first lurcher and so new to the breed. I am now reading through RUNNING DOG MAINTENANCE regarding feeding and mincing does sound good. I wish I had the nerve to try full chicken carcasses with bones. Probably better for the dog and woud save me buying denta chews and cow hooves !

I have got a 2 year old lurcher who shows a bit of rib. The vet told me he was at his best weight and to not even think of fattening him up. No more than 2 days later I get some idiot shouting "Feed that dog" from the safety of his car. He didn't have the energy to drag his fat arse over to me to discuss the matter. I am new to ownin a lurcher but trust my lurcher freindly vet to people who can barely see their own feet becaysee of their bellies blocking the view.

Can't see a mass cull on the cards , the politicians are too squeemish. The loss of potential votes will keep brock safe. Look at that " limited scientific cull" that was tried and failed recently. I think it failed because the intention was too kill in the most politically correct manner although I doubt Mr Badger appreciates any differences in how he is dispatched.

The above extract from the book RUNNING DOG MAINTENANCE whetteed my appetite for the book. That and the recommendations from other users meant I couldnt resist buying. There is currently 10 percent off orders if you buy direct from SKYCAT Publications so even more reason to buy .... which is the excuse I will give the wife when the book arrives in the post !

I am new to owning a lurcher only getting one five weeks ago from a rescue centre. I am keen to get him working fit though to be honest I cant see him actually working. I joined the site to try to find out how to condition a dog and its great that I have stumbled onto this article. I will be getting this book and also checking the site for other tips. I reckon that those actually using dogs for their intended purpose are the best to ask. I hope other members who work their dogs dont mind a non-hunting new comer on the site.