Advise

[MickyB 327]

right lads i've been thinking of getting a running dog that will mostly be worked alongside ferrets and the odd run on its own i have a lot of questions like should it be in a pen, in the house or does it matter? what training is needed? would it clash with me having a family dog and a working dog(i already have a family dog)? whats the best lines for me?

could any one shed a bit of light on this or point me to a couple of good books

Thanks Micky

[J.DOG 1,355]

Well mate a running dog is a great family pet even if it's a working dog. You can keep a running dog in the house if you want but they are ok out in a kennel. I have a saluki x He is great I keep him in the house he lives around my young sisters who are 2 year and 5 year old he is so careful around them. You could be good with a whippet cross of some kind

good luck with your search

[iceman001979 1,316]

If your just going for rabbits mate a collie x or beddy x would do.I always keep my dogs out side think that is where working dogs should be as there not pets but working dogs imo. but there is lots off people that keep there dog inside.

Having another dog can be nightmare at times some dogs just don't take to a new pup coming in and getting all the time off the owner and will have a wee bite when your not looking so something keep your eye on.

Training can be play with a pup more fun you make it the better the pup will like it with plenty off treats for being good and strong voice if doing something wrong.

Stock break as soon as you can cows sheep etc etc more sheep and lamps because that is where the trouble can be.

Jumping l would not start pup jumping till 7 months but small and work it up the old he gets. Start off with walls where he can get a hold ,then move to fences then sheep wire nothing worse then someone leaving a young pup at sheep wire fence and walking away the pup panache and trying to jump over and getting caught up can put A pup off rest off its life. JUST A FEW MY THOUGHTS. There be others help out and there is lots topics on training on here all the best.

And if you are getting a pup make sure its worker to worker and that you can see the dam and sire will give you better chance off pup turning good for you.

[Guest big e]

To be honest if is just rabbits you after I'd go whippet x ideal for rabbits as for keepin it inside entirely up to you I prefer to keep mine outside

[banjo14 49]

if ferreting is your thing i would go for a whippet cross as they have better acceleration an turning than some of the bigger types althought, the type of ground you work will make some difference to the best type of dog for you.

atb adam

[NEWKID 27,277]

Hi mate

You should have no problems keeping a lurcher in the house with your family dog, both my dogs live in they both work and are great with the kids too, alternatively they can be kenneled what ever suits you.

As far as types if it's primarily a ferreting dog whippet x or straight whippets should be good or collie x greyhound are good rabbit dogs. ( I know other types are good as well)

I've got a 11 mnth old whippet x beddlington she's done well around the ferrets and had a few on the lamp end of the season she should do well next season. As far as training get all the basics startyed as early as possible, sit, stay, and re-call and retrieve I got my pup out with the ferrets at around 5 mnths just to let her watch get used to the ferrets and any livestock. They should start realising on there own what's required when your out , she started to mark and caught a couple of runners, you can't train them for this it's instinct.

Good luck in finding a pup mate.

[MickyB 327]

Thanks lads i was thinking of some kind of whippet X but ground i hunt varys dramaticly from small flat fields where it would be watching warrens to open areas with quite long grass where we'd be flushing and chasing to cliff sides where you couldnt work a dog, would a whippet X do well at coursing rabbits

[iceman001979 1,316]

Thanks lads i was thinking of some kind of whippet X but ground i hunt varys dramaticly from small flat fields where it would be watching warrens to open areas with quite long grass where we'd be flushing and chasing to cliff sides where you couldnt work a dog, would a whippet X do well at coursing rabbits

Go for a lucher to lucher pup out off two good rabbit dogs that work lamp and ferret.

[rocky1 942]

lurcher 2 lurcher collie based

[MickyB 327]

lurcher 2 lurcher collie based

what like a 3/4 lurcher 1/4 collie?

sounds fast and clever is that the basics of a good running dog what do lads think your dogs best traits should be?

[barry lurcher 27]

beddie/whippet if only after rabbits about the best there are other options but that would be mine newkids post has just about covered it dogs inside for me they are pets as well as workers this is only my opinion i gotta beddie/grey cross quarterbull/grey 27-28 inches fast muscles big but too big in my opinion for just rabbiting with ferrets he is the biggest out of the litter by far most of them maxed out at 22-24 inches but wouldnt swap 4 anything him he might just bump into a few foxes this season accidently of course wouldnt do this on purpose hes coming up to 15 months now so its time but beddie/whippet 4 ferreting good luck anyway

[jamiew 11]

sounds like a collie x wood be ideal for the area you hunt,its not always about speed,and dont worry about houseing, the lurcher will fit in anywhere,if you,ve never had a lurcher before you,ll be suprised,with my bitch you would,nt even know she was there in the day,but as soon as i whistle her in a certain way her whole posture changes, atb jamiew

[rocky1 942]

lurcher 2 lurcher collie based

what like a 3/4 lurcher 1/4 collie?

sounds fast and clever is that the basics of a good running dog what do lads think your dogs best traits should be?

especailly for the ground you run,collie would bring a good trait round warrens and nets and make the best based lurcher ferrits dogs or kelpie x some of the best i,ve seeh has been this way bred

[MickyB 327]

ive read a a few topics on this forum about the lack of good whippets can anyone shed some light on how hard it is to find a good working one?

Thanks for the replies lads Micky.

[rocky1 942]

the thing is their 2 many non workers getting bred or just racing ones not saying they car,nt work it puts people of ,if you were going 2 get 1 try and see both parents work