Phil Lloyd 10,738 Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 (edited) It’s always nice when things turn out well. The breeding of lurchers is often a hit and miss affair and before one can say with any confidence that a project has been a real success, there is much to go wrong. Back in 2005, in the October 8th issue of The Countryman’s Weekly, the subject of my article concerned the Newcastle-under-Lyne based lurcher enthusiast, Dave Cooper. I mentioned his exciting foray into the unknown. A year or so previous, he had put his Australian Kelpie across a top class greyhound, and this union had produced an honest and serviceable litter of work dogs. The red bitch that he retained , he named Gem. This stunningly powerful and naturally gifted huntress has turned out truly superb. And without exaggerating her working talents in any way, I personally feel that she is destined to be something quite special. I’ve followed the progress of this breeding experiment very closely and I genuinely feel that, all things being equal, it was a resounding success. Dave had some business interests to sort out in my area, and I was pleased when he agreed to come on down and visit me at my base in Hampshire. With him, he brought ‘Taz’, his pure Kelpie. What an amazing creature this dog is. He has an incredibly fast, almost instant response to any whispered command from Dave, and is certainly one of the most intelligent canines that I have seen. I’ve always loved the herding breeds, be they Sheepdogs, Cattle Dogs or Huntaway’s. For me, these types really are at the very pinnacle of the learning chain. And when it comes to trainability, and of showing a definite understanding of the handler’s requests, most other types of canine are just not in the same league. That is why I will own no other kind of lurcher composite. Obviously, most running dogs can catch a rabbit, there is no denying the fact, but I just feel happier and more at ease with a lurcher that exhibits the useful traits of a pastoral canine. Initially, I christened Dave Cooper, ‘The Kelpie Kid’; however, my new name for him is Mr Barf. The reason is simple, and it is because I am now a born again feeder of meaty bones and raw flesh. Due to the increased work load, and the sheer amount of contract jobs coming in to control the ever increasing rabbit pest, I have been forced to buy in a brace of lurcher puppies. I usually breed my own and I would have normally done so, but I need fresh blood that will hopefully be ‘up and running’ for this coming season. I asked Dave to bring me a few samples of the kind of food that he has been feeding his own team. There was a time, several years ago, when you could simply call into the local Abattoir and purchase fresh tripe , sheep’s heads, cows udders, etc, but unfortunately, not any more. Modern health and hygiene regulations have seemingly put paid to that cheap source of wholesome grub and for the last few years I’ve been feeding the dogs on a complete meal. However, after much consultation with Dave I have now decided to return to the old ways, well, near as dammit. This time around, there will be no deer carcases or surplus hares, for the pups to enjoy and we will have to stick to legal quarry. The tips and hints on the subject and the various gifts from my fellow lurcher enthusiast were much appreciated. I was most impressed with the chicken carcases and lamb ribs. In fact, there was more than enough chicken left on the large poultry carcases, easily enough to provide a pan full for my favourite chicken madras, but, somehow, I just couldn’t face frying it up. Luckily my canine helpers enjoyed these meaty treats and set about them with a definite relish. And to be perfectly truthful, I now find sitting and watching my young sapling demolishing a lamb carcase to be strangely therapeutic. I freely admit that such an admission is possibly quite sad, and perhaps I should get out more, but there you have it. I doubt that I will ever get to see Cheetahs feeding on their kills on the plains of the Serengeti, so I suppose the desert like dustbowl that passes for a lawn in my back garden, will have to suffice. I’m now 100% committed to feeding a diet of raw meaty bones. I intend to supplement this natural way of nourishing a carnivore, with a small amount of pulped vegetables an occasional raw egg and of course the obligatory smelly green tripe. If I can source it, this is fated to be the fodder for my canine crew. And if I manage to find a regular supplier, boy oh boy, them crafty old rabbits will have to run for it this season, and that’s the truth! Hopefully, the long hot summer will soon be at an end. This year will be the best ever for the rabbiting man, and please God, my health will hold out for one last season. All the best to all true ConyCatchers and good hunting to you all, Kind regards, PL Edited July 16, 2006 by CHALKWARREN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IanB 0 Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 Good post chalkie, don't let it do a disappearing act Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest vim Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 (edited) Aye Chalkie what a nobble man our Dave is,lol for giving the chosen few serviceable working lurcher`s from his line :11: A line which is identical to Sleighty`s so there`s no rocket science there and hardly a foray into the unknown Its a good job our Dave come to his sence`s real sharp like or we`d have a litter of mythical hunting beast`s in the shape of a straight Border collie cross an Hancock 3/4 bred :11: Dave`s inital project you see Chalkie.. You see even though with his limited experience with dogs it didnt deter him from his "Quest" for gaining exceptance and notority. Like i mentioned in a post some time ago, its a waste of time owning a fancy car in you dont know what half the controls do. Mind you he can alway`s phone a friend Naturaly gifted my arse... Edited July 15, 2006 by vim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest moomin300uk Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 All the best for your future plans hope you have a successful season and your breeding plan goes well if the rabbit population is getting out off hand maybe you would like a apprentice for a day?? all the best Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socks 32,253 Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 VIM you really are a sad and pathetic bloke ......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Lloyd 10,738 Posted July 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 (edited) All the best for your future plans hope you have a successful season and your breeding plan goes well if the rabbit population is getting out off hand maybe you would like a apprentice for a day?? all the best Your 8 month old pup Ruby, looks to be coming on real nice moomin I've got an 'eight monther' meself,...and what a difficult fecker she is She has put years on me,... :11: Its very hot and humid 'darn sarf' and I can't wait to get back amongst the rabbits. Hopefully , a few days hard work on the chalk downlands will sort her silly head out,... Roll on September Edited July 16, 2006 by CHALKWARREN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest moomin300uk Posted July 15, 2006 Report Share Posted July 15, 2006 cheers chalkwarren i have big hopes for this season It will be my first with my own dogs i have lots to learn and I can hardly contain myself... Think i have been Lucky with ruby she has been biddable and caused no problems so far she is a great company and i hope she works well.. roll on September Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moorman 0 Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 Good read Chalkie.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Lloyd 10,738 Posted July 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 Good post chalkie, don't let it do a disappearing act Ooops,.sorry Ian,.but I hit the 'self destruct' button again Thats the story of my life, eh.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IanB 0 Posted July 16, 2006 Report Share Posted July 16, 2006 Things are looking good up north for the season ahead chalkwarren, theres been a boom only real downfall being I've been spotting mxy in dribs and drabs around all the areas... hopefully they can shake it off becuase theres plenty of quality ferreting ahead...can't wait Quote Link to post Share on other sites
D.C. 34 Posted July 17, 2006 Report Share Posted July 17, 2006 (edited) Yeh........ Thanks Phil for the hospitality from you & your better half! especially the lovely meal Oh & the WINE............ .... I just hope my snoring didn't keep you & the wife awake .......... I thought you'd like Taz!! & his little 'tricks' :whistle: You have some lovely chalk streams down there!! amazing! & by the looks of things your going to have an excellent season.... Won't be long now for our foray in Dorset mate....... Can't wait!! Will look forward to a few hunting forays this season! especially now i know how comfy you're spare room is!!! Cheers Dave Taz......from Imported Australian stock. Edited July 17, 2006 by D.C. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest grubygrafter Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 that taz is a fine looking animal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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