Deaf lurcher, what to do with her

[GypsyJoe 36]

She is obviously not going make a working dog, she looks about a year old, was left at my gate (people do that) she is nice enough, looks like saluki/grey/collie/grey, I suspect deafness may be a merle gene thing, but her eyes are really deep dark saluki eyes, she is very timid, has pressure sores and looks like she has muscular degeneration as well as malnourished.

 

I would like to keep her, I can keep her housed alone, at least till disease is ruled out, and she should regain her health with feeding and excercise, I'm sure I could handle owning a deaf dog, but I am really conflicted.

 

I have a real soft spot for saluki/grey types, what do you think would be best to do, I don't want a 'pet' but she would be safe enough on my site and there are rabbits aplenty within my fenced field.

 

What does everyone think, honestly, I really need advise on what would be best for her, and has anyone found deaf lurchers to be 'safe', I think when lurchers get abused like her, we sort of owe it to them to care for them if possible.

 

Advice please, I really would like your opinions,

 

thanks

[GypsyJoe 36]

Not the dog in my avater, this dog is white with a few black speckles, from what I can make out, she's very dirty.

[fitchet 788]

Keep hold of it mate sure it could make a good companion and you could probably have abit of fun with it ferreting or just mooching about with it. Best of luck if you do decide to keep it. I dont know how anyone can just leave a dog.

[Bosun11 537]

Joe, if you like her and want to keep her then go for it, put a bit of time in, get her right. Softly softly is the key with a nervy dog, lord only knows what she's been through before being tied to your gate and no matter what happens it will be a cracking challenge and learning experience for you both. That deafness could simply be 'total nerves' and she's oblivious to you as shes terrified of her surroundings... Get her right and give her a purpose and you never know....

[Floyd17586 454]

Imo opinion mate its owner doesnt deserve it back if you have the space for her then go for it she deserves to be loved and if you can do that go for it.i hate scumbags who neglect dogs.

[the_stig 6,614]

had a deaf whippit-- candy when i was a kid she became very loyal stayed close and learnt to watch hand movement --- i work on her with food and a ball -- she knew when i got the ball out we where off out .. had some fun mooching and rattng with her ..only dog my mum let in the house.. i think she used me as her ears more fun to be with i made a bond with her that i never really have with other dogs she was a bit sharper and more alert.. had a blind dog-- solo that would`nt go to anyone but my mrs when she called her or took her out you would`nt have known she was blind, there sound once they`ve gained your trust/bond ..

Edited November 21, 2012 by the_stig

[GypsyJoe 36]

Thanks for all the responses, I was already pretty sure I would keep her, and I will be keeping her, I really want to, will take some photos of her tomorrow, and try to put them up, she really is a nice dog, or will be, I am willing to put in as much time as needed, will keep you posted on her progress.

 

Thanks lads, maybe when she a bit fitter and confident, could try vibrating collar or something and work with her in just fenced in areas, just want to get her better, got her tucked up in a touring caravan with heat and blankets, given her some lactol see how she copes with it, will get vet see her tomorrow re. sores, I like a challenge

 

much obliged

[the_stig 6,614]

they tend to become one person dogs -- you`ll work it out joe 3 months time it`ll be a special dog one you`ll remember ...

[the_stig 6,614]

they tend to become one person dogs -- you`ll work it out joe 3 months time it`ll be a special dog one you`ll remember ... once she gets to know your hand movements she`ll look to you for guidence ..

--

[bird 9,943]

not being funny mate, but why .? when there is loads of (healthy) lurchers out there in the R/C that are going to put down, most have good, eye sight,not deaf, 4 legs, etc . After all a lurcher is a working dog bred to do a job, and that job is very hard on normal lurcher that are in proper health. i used to have bull breeds + heinz 57s before just as pets.The reason i got into lurchers was to own a working dog 1st, pet 2nd, and thats how i think it shold be owing a lurcher . i just dont get it keeping lurcher that are (not) physically sound to begin with , ok if they get hurt and they been a good working dog, yeh keep it as pet, but at least it was sound to start with

[the_stig 6,614]

not being funny mate, but why .? when there is loads of (healthy) lurchers out there in the R/C that are going to put down, most have good, eye sight,not deaf, 4 legs, etc . After all a lurcher is a working dog bred to do a job, and that job is very hard on normal lurcher that are in proper health. i used to have bull breeds + heinz 57s before just as pets.The reason i got into lurchers was to own a working dog 1st, pet 2nd, and thats how i think it shold be owing a lurcher . i just dont get it keeping lurcher that are (not) physically sound to begin with , ok if they get hurt and they been a good working dog, yeh keep it as pet, but at least it was sound to start with

a deaf lurcher will work.. a blind terrier will work..

[Runningdogs3 59]

Good on you mate for taking her in. I am sure she will make a great dog. A good little trick that might help you determine how deaf she is. Tune a radio in to static (white noise) then switch it on when you are with her and see if you get any response. Saluki types can be a bit prone to ignoring you until they get to know you. I think it is a bit of self defence and previous loyalties but when they do bond tend to be one person dogs.

[bird 9,943]

not being funny mate, but why .? when there is loads of (healthy) lurchers out there in the R/C that are going to put down, most have good, eye sight,not deaf, 4 legs, etc . After all a lurcher is a working dog bred to do a job, and that job is very hard on normal lurcher that are in proper health. i used to have bull breeds + heinz 57s before just as pets.The reason i got into lurchers was to own a working dog 1st, pet 2nd, and thats how i think it shold be owing a lurcher . i just dont get it keeping lurcher that are (not) physically sound to begin with , ok if they get hurt and they been a good working dog, yeh keep it as pet, but at least it was sound to start with

a deaf lurcher will work.. a blind terrier will work..

yeh but not as good as one thats (not) deaf .!

[the_stig 6,614]

not being funny mate, but why .? when there is loads of (healthy) lurchers out there in the R/C that are going to put down, most have good, eye sight,not deaf, 4 legs, etc . After all a lurcher is a working dog bred to do a job, and that job is very hard on normal lurcher that are in proper health. i used to have bull breeds + heinz 57s before just as pets.The reason i got into lurchers was to own a working dog 1st, pet 2nd, and thats how i think it shold be owing a lurcher . i just dont get it keeping lurcher that are (not) physically sound to begin with , ok if they get hurt and they been a good working dog, yeh keep it as pet, but at least it was sound to start with

a deaf lurcher will work.. a blind terrier will work..

yeh but not as good as one thats (not) deaf .!

have you worked a deaf dog bird --be intersting to see if anyone has i was only a kid learning the job when i had mine i may see things differant now but did for me at the time ..i would`nt give up on a deaf one ..

[fitchet 788]

not being funny mate, but why .? when there is loads of (healthy) lurchers out there in the R/C that are going to put down, most have good, eye sight,not deaf, 4 legs, etc . After all a lurcher is a working dog bred to do a job, and that job is very hard on normal lurcher that are in proper health. i used to have bull breeds + heinz 57s before just as pets.The reason i got into lurchers was to own a working dog 1st, pet 2nd, and thats how i think it shold be owing a lurcher . i just dont get it keeping lurcher that are (not) physically sound to begin with , ok if they get hurt and they been a good working dog, yeh keep it as pet, but at least it was sound to start with

a deaf lurcher will work.. a blind terrier will work..

yeh but not as good as one thats (not) deaf .!

 

Bird you normally talk a lot of sense and im not having a dig here. What dog a man keeps is upto him he has to pay its feed house it ect. And how do you know it wont work aswell as any healthy dog ! Might turn out to be a very handy hound !!!