retirement

[jjbull 38]

even though ive been on this forum for quite a while ive never really started any topics(more of a reader than a writer)but seeing peoples posts on there dogs tragic accidents and peoples new pups for the coming season havent read many peoples write ups on retiring dogs due to oldish age, and it is this very reason im posting.

I was reading forums like this well befofe i even had a dog, never liking the skinny fragile looking lurchers until i bumped into an old school freind that had one and i was hooked, i was on the look out for my own dog. i trolled forums and magazines and shows several nice litters but nothing ever clicked i was looking for a good size dog no whippet no collie and no feathering after a good few months i was put onto a litter of pups(i think by ian b hisself)well bred for the lads own use and priced very reasonably i didnt realise how well bred untill the sire turned up in a couple of books that i bought and since met, there were 2 dogs left out of 12 and i came home with one.

The early days were rough we didnt click he actually didnt even register i was there half the time and he howled like he was getting murdered for the first week but eventually it started coming together training was easy he was so willing to learn, then he broke his toe and to this day not sure how he did it but with advise from these forums i was assured cos of his age it would heal fine and it did.

When it was time to start work he just did it he retreived not exactly to hand but close enough but he wasnt exactly soft mouthed faults i could live with,first few squatters he was made to look daft but he soon learned to follow the beam, and for a big dog (28"+)he could turn tight and pick rabbits up easy enough.He wouldnt crash into cover after rabbits and he was never a confident jumper but every fault i think was down to my lack of experience, his jumping was a blessing on a lot of the fields round here its walls with a wire either side, so he managed to stay major injury free

He turned on to the big stuff with ease and even went ferreting with me and i was more than pleased at how easy he made it look

I never thought of getting another dog until it was too late his last run from semi retirement was to help start another dog off on big stuff we managed to put one up and for an 8 year old dog left the young one standing, the problems started when he cleared a collapsed dry stone wall, he came back on 3 legs i thought hed broke his toe again which on a closer was just badly knocked up and a huge swelling on his thigh which the vet thinks was damage from a previour muscle injury.

So ive decided thats it hes earned his place by the fire(or the settee)it make it harder as hes still so willing but the body is failing, hes been a cracking dog and if im honest would have been even better in some one elses hands with more experience but every day hes been a pleasure to own

But how do i replace him would love to have a pup from him, but finding some one with a bitch can be a problem ive kept myself to myself as the less people no youve got a decent dog the less grief you can get into, so it looks like im looking for another pup, thanks for taking the time to read and hope a few people on here know where im coming from

a few pics

 

shortly after i got him

 

 

gangly stage

 

 

 

In his prime

 

most recent

[BORDERSCOT 3,816]

Great story mate. Someone should offer to give this guy a puppy as he's just the kinda guy you'd want your pups to go to. Least that's the way I see it - atb in your search for a new puppy.

[troter58 1,711]

nice read mate and i know were you are coming from its hard to replace a honest worker who as give you years of honest graft and wish you all the best in looking for a bitch to line him with and if not with any pup you do bring on atb troter

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

Nice story...

 

And personally, I would sooner GIVE such a fellah a puppy than sell it for a few quid..

 

This is how things, used to be, same with ferrets, and I suppose, earth dogs as well...

 

WE all experience crippling damage, and accidents to our workers, and it is good to know that by placing your prefered types, in the hands of genuine guys, if, they ever, decide to keep that style of lurcher going, and, have a litter,..you only have to ask, and you are back in business again...

 

Anyway,..my advice, to the original thread starter, would be to , take it nice and slow,..hang on in there,..and choose carefully...

 

All the best,.CHALKWARREN...

[fensaluki 35]

Cracking write up mate.....Good to see sombody that feels for their dog the way their dog feels for them.

Be nice to get a stud bitch for him,Always nice to bring on a pup from a dog that has served you well for a long time.You seem to have more confidence in them from day 1.

 

Hope it all turns out right for you bud.

 

ATB

[jjbull 38]

thanks for the kind words and its nice to know theres some like minded individuals on here, trust me i never rush into anything, ive turned down offers to line peoples bitches in the past, not because they were bad dogs but just that i wouldnt have fancied owning one of the pups or i didnt like the owner enough, think he would be good to breed from for the next couple of years so should be able to find a compatible bitch by then.

[rocky1 942]

atb finding a suitable bitch

[dymented 2,220]

Hope you find a suitable replacement or a good bitch to bread from

[nellandbran 8]

Nice thread, when you make your choice, it will be a lucky pup that has you as an owner, you sound like you have a lot of patience, which is what a dog needs, good luck

[billy bronk 76]

even though ive been on this forum for quite a while ive never really started any topics(more of a reader than a writer)but seeing peoples posts on there dogs tragic accidents and peoples new pups for the coming season havent read many peoples write ups on retiring dogs due to oldish age, and it is this very reason im posting.

I was reading forums like this well befofe i even had a dog, never liking the skinny fragile looking lurchers until i bumped into an old school freind that had one and i was hooked, i was on the look out for my own dog. i trolled forums and magazines and shows several nice litters but nothing ever clicked i was looking for a good size dog no whippet no collie and no feathering after a good few months i was put onto a litter of pups(i think by ian b hisself)well bred for the lads own use and priced very reasonably i didnt realise how well bred untill the sire turned up in a couple of books that i bought and since met, there were 2 dogs left out of 12 and i came home with one.

The early days were rough we didnt click he actually didnt even register i was there half the time and he howled like he was getting murdered for the first week but eventually it started coming together training was easy he was so willing to learn, then he broke his toe and to this day not sure how he did it but with advise from these forums i was assured cos of his age it would heal fine and it did.

When it was time to start work he just did it he retreived not exactly to hand but close enough but he wasnt exactly soft mouthed faults i could live with,first few squatters he was made to look daft but he soon learned to follow the beam, and for a big dog (28"+)he could turn tight and pick rabbits up easy enough.He wouldnt crash into cover after rabbits and he was never a confident jumper but every fault i think was down to my lack of experience, his jumping was a blessing on a lot of the fields round here its walls with a wire either side, so he managed to stay major injury free

He turned on to the big stuff with ease and even went ferreting with me and i was more than pleased at how easy he made it look

I never thought of getting another dog until it was too late his last run from semi retirement was to help start another dog off on big stuff we managed to put one up and for an 8 year old dog left the young one standing, the problems started when he cleared a collapsed dry stone wall, he came back on 3 legs i thought hed broke his toe again which on a closer was just badly knocked up and a huge swelling on his thigh which the vet thinks was damage from a previour muscle injury.

So ive decided thats it hes earned his place by the fire(or the settee)it make it harder as hes still so willing but the body is failing, hes been a cracking dog and if im honest would have been even better in some one elses hands with more experience but every day hes been a pleasure to own

But how do i replace him would love to have a pup from him, but finding some one with a bitch can be a problem ive kept myself to myself as the less people no youve got a decent dog the less grief you can get into, so it looks like im looking for another pup, thanks for taking the time to read and hope a few people on here know where im coming from

a few pics

 

shortly after i got him

 

 

gangly stage

 

 

 

In his prime

 

most recent

very nice read atb

[scothunter 12,609]

nice read and obviously someone who cares for his dogs.like has been said,if i had a litter id gladly give you one

[Fat-Ferret 857]

If everyone was only the same...

[jjbull 38]

cheers for the comments guys means a lot,now if you hear of anyone wanting a big lump of a stud send them my way lol

[maitland93 13]

Good read dog looks a topper, what is his breeding if a may ask and atb with looking for the right bitch

[jjbull 38]

Good read dog looks a topper, what is his breeding if a may ask and atb with looking for the right bitch

sire was mainly sal grey with a touch of bull dam was as far as i can remember sal grey with a touch of deerhound