Year one

[Pyg 0]

My dog is now a year old. She's a Wheaten x grey, about 22" with a broken coat. I chose the legyest of the bitches but recently I was introduced to one of her brothers and he is huge.....

 

I read somewhere that your first dog is usually the best as you're enthusiastic and spend loads of time on training. I'm not sure about this as you can make a load of mistakes with the first (I know I have!!!).

 

She was weaned on Beta Greyhound so that's what I bought but she didn't seem to eat that much. I switched to James Wellbeloved and she seemed OK on this (or so I thought) until a couple of months ago. I always said that I wanted to get her onto a meat diet but couldn't find anything local and reasonably priced. However, I was asked to do a bit of pest control for a local farmer and it turns out he was able to supply turkey mince.... I tried her on this with a mixer and the difference is amazing!!! She's put on a bit of weight and her coat gleams.....looks like I'd been practically starving her because she wouldn't eat enough of the dry stuff!

 

I've also had my work cut out training her. Sit, stay, down, come...all great in the garden but anywhere else or if someone else is about she ignores me! I've tried treats (not interested), a long line (fine until she is off) and I even bought a training collar (couldn't use it, I'm too soft), I'm not afraid to give her a wallop but that doesn't really work well either. Having said all that I have a certain amount of control over her but no where near as much as I'd like.

 

Other annoying habits; destroying things, theiving, digging holes in the lawn, stealing washing and hiding it in the garden.... I suppose it's not all bad. She's a good looking dog, seems pretty fast and is great with my children.

 

So why have I decided to wast your time by typing all this down? I don't really know, just came back from a really frustrating trip over the fields and this seemed a pretty good outlet for my moaning....

 

I'm sure it'll all be worth it when she brings her first rabbit to hand.

[thurso jack 3]

just being a pup mate, im sure given six months she will be a different dog, i have a few similar probs with my pup, the thieving etc so your not alone.

[cymruguy69 5]

Iv'e had the same problems mate. we'l see the light at the end of the tunnel soon. Best words Iv'e ever been told enjoy them while their pups they'l never be again!!

[lonedigga 23]

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Edited June 3, 2008 by lonedigga

[Ray Mears 272]

Don,t want to piss on your chips mate, but a 1st cross wheaton/greyhound might not have been the best choice for a1st lurcher.I've had 2 and imo they need plenty of work to quarry that bites back.I now keep a bullx as ifind them easier to live with on a day to day basis. Basically, wheaton crosses ain't bred for rabbits, so best of luck with your pup p.s don't be afraid to use the training collar, you might be soft but your pup isn't

 

 

just beacuse thay aint bred for them dont mean it wont catch them same goes for a bull x not really bred for rabbits but still take them

[Pyg 0]

Thanks for the encouragement, glad I'm not the only one who's had a bit of bother. I wanted a dog for ferreting and a bit of lamping, was going to stick with tradition(!) and go for a collie cross, but when this litter came up locally........

[cymruguy69 5]

From what Iv'e seen and heared wheaton X greyhounds are extremely good allrounders! if yours in only 22" it should take rabbits for fun! it'l definitley have the speed. A bonus is you shouldnt have any problem with charlie!!

 

Best of luck any way!!

[Moorman 1 1,411]

When you say that yours is a year old and reared on Beta Greyhound,I would think that it is a sister to mine,and my dog is only 22 and my mates is about 23 tts.

I had pick of the litter and chose the biggest heaviest dog and my mate had the second biggest,it just goes to show that you can't tell at 8 weeks of age lol.

I'm well pleased with mine as last week he took is 60th rabbit.He lamps very well and hunts well in the daytime.He is also entering well to other quarry both day and night.