ex track dog (worker)

[yorkshirelad2 24]

There seems to be a lot of ex track greyhounds about (free to a good home)at 3 years old.

3 years i would of thought would be about the end of a racing career but has anyone ever took an ex racer on as a working dog.

If not would you of thought this a wise idea to do so.

Just thought if it was worth it i would give it ago. Thought and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Cheers fellas

[yorkshirelad2 24]

.

[bigjase1 159]

ex track dogs will work as good as any dog mate we had couple still got one now runs in denmark...the only hard thing is getting them to bring back so u neede to spend time training it ti retreive mate not hard really use food give them a run with another dog and they will stay on anything or chase anything dogs r better to use as bitches can be shy at first unless u get a in ur face dog and the good thing about them they will live in or out and no problem in house unless u have a cat of course lol and ur better of getting them off the trainers as they will know if had any injuries etc and they will poss give u some food for taking them asa most rescue kennels charge £250 ish to take them in so go on greyhound-data and look about

 

atb jason

[rob190364 2,594]

have a gander at this thread on the greyhound section -

 

http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/topic/183510-work-and-track/

[tote 854]

Never yet seen an ex racer that was better than an average lurcher. A mate had two some years back and they spent most of their time laid up with injuries from shoulders to wrists but mostly feet trouble, he had to choose the ground they ran on very carefully. Neither retrieved and used to overshoot their quarry most of the time, also they had a habit of running into walls, fences, trees etc as they are that keen on their quarry they often don't see anything else. Also greyhounds are not stock broke and usually have a high prey drive so breaking them to stock can take some doing.

 

If it's the "free to a good home" bit that appeals be aware that in the long run it can quite often work out more expensive to go for an ex racer.

Think of the time you lose when they are laid up injured then you have to treat the injuries which in some cases might need treatment from

a vet.

 

The best option would be to buy a lurcher pup and bring it on the way you want, it might take a year to get where you want but it'll be worthwhile. If an ex track dog was the best option would there not be a lot more of them out there working?

[pandy 0]

Never yet seen an ex racer that was better than an average lurcher. A mate had two some years back and they spent most of their time laid up with injuries from shoulders to wrists but mostly feet trouble, he had to choose the ground they ran on very carefully. Neither retrieved and used to overshoot their quarry most of the time, also they had a habit of running into walls, fences, trees etc as they are that keen on their quarry they often don't see anything else. Also greyhounds are not stock broke and usually have a high prey drive so breaking them to stock can take some doing.

 

If it's the "free to a good home" bit that appeals be aware that in the long run it can quite often work out more expensive to go for an ex racer.

Think of the time you lose when they are laid up injured then you have to treat the injuries which in some cases might need treatment from

a vet.

 

The best option would be to buy a lurcher pup and bring it on the way you want, it might take a year to get where you want but it'll be worthwhile. If an ex track dog was the best option would there not be a lot more of them out there working?

 

well said mate!!

[Charlie bull X 11]

U have to think ther is a reason why the dog is free... Maybe an injury or wotever it may be. Plus they cant turn for shit pal. if i was u i would just get a lurcher pup

[scalesntails 118]

Never yet seen an ex racer that was better than an average lurcher. A mate had two some years back and they spent most of their time laid up with injuries from shoulders to wrists but mostly feet trouble, he had to choose the ground they ran on very carefully. Neither retrieved and used to overshoot their quarry most of the time, also they had a habit of running into walls, fences, trees etc as they are that keen on their quarry they often don't see anything else. Also greyhounds are not stock broke and usually have a high prey drive so breaking them to stock can take some doing.

 

If it's the "free to a good home" bit that appeals be aware that in the long run it can quite often work out more expensive to go for an ex racer.

Think of the time you lose when they are laid up injured then you have to treat the injuries which in some cases might need treatment from

a vet.

 

The best option would be to buy a lurcher pup and bring it on the way you want, it might take a year to get where you want but it'll be worthwhile. If an ex track dog was the best option would there not be a lot more of them out there working?

 

If I had space it would appeal to me just so I could give a home to a dog that needs one. I wouldn't expect them to be as good as a lurcher but it would be nice if they could grab the odd rabbit just to supplement their own diet. Everyone is different I personally only need 4 or 5 rabbits a week on average and any over this is a bonus.

 

You make a very good point that people should be aware of though. If someone takes on an exracer then they should expect the dog to have picked up a few injuries while racing and will no doubt pick up many more if you work it so it is far from the cheap option.

[captain jack sparrow 8]

if anyone looking i have one no injuries quiet in the kennel used for mooching still could race

[Big bald beautiful 1,231]

My bitch was a fighter.dumb but would tackle anything.got her at 2 yrs old and I ran her for another 2 or so yrs.had a few toe problems but no worse then a lot of lurchers.

[yorkshirelad2 24]

Cheers guys still in 2 minds its not the free to a good home bit its jus the fact that why not give it a good home and work 2.

I can see the down sides and the ups.

got a bit of time to think yet. Again thanks for the replys lads.

[tb25 4,627]

Cheers guys still in 2 minds its not the free to a good home bit its jus the fact that why not give it a good home and work 2.

I can see the down sides and the ups.

got a bit of time to think yet. Again thanks for the replys lads.

what ever you do just hurry up we have plenty to do come season lol

[yorkshirelad2 24]

Cheers guys still in 2 minds its not the free to a good home bit its jus the fact that why not give it a good home and work 2.

I can see the down sides and the ups.

got a bit of time to think yet. Again thanks for the replys lads.

what ever you do just hurry up we have plenty to do come season lol

Ha yer mate if it was up to me ad have one now, i"m under orders from our lass cant have one till house an everything else is sorted.

[tb25 4,627]

woman......if you can get down this weekend AL put kettle on or if your looky a may let you by me a pint lol

[paulsmithy83 567]

ive owned one from a young pup not an ex racer tho, mine in general was alot better then expected in first instance, great recall could work on or off slip, would judge her pace and only use it when time was right, and could turn like a whippet lol never retrieved live to hand but would retrieve them dead to a few meters away so on a whole to me she was just a super fast lurcher .took rabbit, hare, fox preban of course but the problem with it was injury, at 15 months retired to a pet home and now used in my breeding line when i need to add little more pace to the mix. a few friends have tried to get the same kind of greyhound by getting ex racers and all failed, my opinion from experience get a lurcher but if your set on a grey get a pup and i mean a pup and bring it on as you would a lurcher but be prepared for injuries