pack working

[black lurcher 6]

does anyone work lurchers/long-dogs in packs and if so what dogs and what advantages does it have also how many dogs ?

[Tyla 3,179]

We work a mixed pack of lurchers and terriers. Anything up to a dozen dogs, about 50/50 lurchers to terriers. There are advantages and disadvantages.

 

Its great to see a pack that work together, anticipate each other, work as a team etc. You get some amazing sport, if theres plenty of game on the ground it can be action packed. The dogs benefit by learning to work as a pack member rather than just an individual and to be able to socialize with other dogs on the hunting field. They also learn off each other which is nice to see. Its some of the most exciting hunting for me, its fast and furious and varied - you never know whats going to bolt next!

 

The downsides are very real though. Its not good for their retrieve at all so you need to be on top of that all the time. Of my three, for instance, one will retrieve regardless, come hell or high water or the "assistance" of the rest of the pack, the other wont retrieve in a pack but will when working on her own and the terrier is one of the main culprits in the "assisted" retrieve but he will bring game out of cover just not all the way to you if there are other dogs there. I wont be using my new pup in a pack environment until i feel her retrieve is rock solid. You also have to be very confident of your dogs training, recall in particular, as it is very distracting and easy for the dog to start ignoring you.

 

Basically, its great fun but unless you have the dogs well in hand it can bugger them up.

[black lurcher 6]

my dogs are well trained particularly my whippet and patter-dale i have 4 whippets 2 patter-dales and 2 saluki / greyhound 1st crosses i may be able to use my mates springer aswell

[rocky1 942]

car,nt beat it seeing all the dog,s work in sink