Wish I'd done this years ago!

[The Duncan 802]

Hi folks,

 

If you don't want to read about a guy who's really pleased and smitten with his newly discovered dog breed (lurcher), then look away now.

 

Roxy is 16 weeks old today and tonight I took her out for a walk along the bridleway, by way of some retrieve practise in the park.

First time I tried this with her after dark and the first ball i threw she just couldn't see and gave up after 10 yards, standing, looking at me with a puzzled expression on her wombley face.

I flicked on my led torch and faintly lit up the ball and she immediately spotted it, sprinted over and grabbed it, bringing it to my out-stretched hand - result!

I threw the ball another 4 times to about 50 yards, tracking it with the torch. Each time, she 'chased' and retrieved it to hand perfectly. Obviously I praised her like mad

After that, I continued the walk along the bridleway and let her have a good 'look about' and be a puppy again.

I really was made up with her performance on the night time retrieving and understand when people say they'd rather see a dog catch a rabbit, than have them taken with a rifle. Penny has dropped with me.

I'm sure this is all par for the course for all you experienced hunting dog people and I probably come across OTT, but I really am made up with my pup, more and more as the training is paying off big time.

 

Anyway, the rest of the walk I gave her the odd retrieve across the field, but the distraction of fox and rabbit smells meant that she would do the retrieve, but drop it a foot or two from me, her attention taken by smells that are still massively new and exciting to her. Puppy!

I don't praise her for dropping the ball or dummy before it gets to my hand as retrieving in general is to be expected and she does it because I want her to. She does get loads of praise when she brings it to hand though

 

Needless to say I can't wait for Roxy's first shine - god help you all when she gets her first bunny - I'll bore you all shitless lol!

 

I'll still always love shooting and taking game with gun and rifle, but i doubt I'll ever be without a hunting dog again.

 

ATB and thanks for indulging me,

 

Duncan

 

 

PS - all the other dogs in the pack have posh pedigree names. Roxy is no exception now, when she's trying it on she gets called Roxington.

[iworkwhippets 12,623]

Pleased for you

[iworkwhippets 12,623]

Pleased for you

[iworkwhippets 12,623]

Pleased for you

 

double post, sorry

[tyson666 11]

all the best with the pup mate

[Malt 379]

 

I love the simplicity of it: man - dog - quarry. I've hunted rabbits all sorts of ways over the years but watching a fast dog catch it's quarry is probably my favourite type of hunting.

[paulus 26]

dont blame me

[johnny 2 367]

Good to hear your enjoying the pup,hows she bred? atb

[The Duncan 802]

Ooh, a quick footnote - thanks to 'The Rock' for breeding a cracking dog. She's doing me proud

[Bosun11 537]

A well written, honest post Duncan, you keep it up, love hearing that enthusiasm.

[chartpolski 24,046]

Great !! Welcome to our world ! LOL ! Just wait 'till she catches her first rabbit, I've had running dogs for over 45 years, and still get that thrill when a pup makes it's first catch !!

 

Cheers.

[The Duncan 802]

Good to hear your enjoying the pup,hows she bred? atb

1/8 whip, 4/8 Grey, 3/8 APB.

To be honest, I'd assumed the bull part was english or staff, but the APB is a stand up breed anyway in its own right.

Need to take and put up some pics now she's turned 16 weeks.

 

 

Paulus, I blame you almost entirely

[tomano1 80]

Good mate back to basics it's the best way to do then on to live sport ATB toma

[johnny boy68 11,726]

dont blame me

Why??????

 

Did you take photo's !!

[The Duncan 802]

Funny thing is, for 24 years I've been a man who's had dogs, now I'm becoming a dogman lol. Crossing over to the dark side, or seeing the light?