beginner wanting advice

[Guest quixflash]

I'm very new to this game and need some clarification from you professionals. Can you start from the beginning ie best type of ground for a new dog, what is an easy rabbit for her to start on (would that be a squater), what terrain, should she be after hares or just rabbits at first. Tell me the very basics ie what type of ground is easier for her. I've no one here to go out with therefore she has no older dog to learn from. Please help....

[Guest quixflash]

Thanks for that. Anyone else got any advice?

[Lennard 10]

I would keep the wondering about terrain and catching game hypothetically for the first year at least.

 

Like has been said so often before (use the search function), work on the recall and basic things.

 

If your dog has prey drive and speed, the day will come it will catch something. And when it's an afghan you'll be real proud that you can get the rabbit from it without too much fuss.

 

L.

[Guest quixflash]

I would keep the wondering about terrain and catching game hypothetically for the first year at least.

 

Like has been said so often before (use the search function), work on the recall and basic things.

 

If your dog has prey drive and speed, the day will come it will catch something. And when it's an afghan you'll be real proud that you can get the rabbit from it without too much fuss.

 

L.

Yeah she doesn't want to give them up but she does! Too polite not too! I read the posts and some say their dog has caught them all on the first night out and mine certainly isn't doing that. I'm wondering if I'm asking too much of her.

[Lennard 10]

How old is your afghan?

 

An afghan is a big dog, big chance it will lack the acceleration for rabbits but lamped it will catch one some day. Depends also a bit on the brain...if it is clever it will learn to stalk.

 

If you have a well running afghan I would let it mature, condition it and take it to the open country for hares. Maybe shave it to get weight off and keep it cool.

 

L.

[Guest quixflash]

How old is your afghan?

 

An afghan is a big dog, big chance it will lack the acceleration for rabbits but lamped it will catch one some day. Depends also a bit on the brain...if it is clever it will learn to stalk.

 

If you have a well running afghan I would let it mature, condition it and take it to the open country for hares. Maybe shave it to get weight off and keep it cool.

 

L.

She's just turned 2 but we she hasn't been hunting long. She is quite a small one and very light. We started and then stopped as she ws ill and now she's been out again a few times. She has caught rabbits(not many!) but not hares, although she's been after a couple. Her acceleration is quite fast but nothing like the greyhounds at the track. She's quite fit and has stacks of enthusiasm. She gains on hares but they seem to make it to cover before she gets there. She was about 2 m off a hare at the beach the other day.

I wonder if I'm slipping her when they are 2 near to cover. What would the ideal situation for a beginner dog be?

[Lennard 10]

Small, light and stacks of enthousiasm...already caught a couple of rabbits. You're on the right track it sounds.

 

All longears are difficult, esspecially when there is a lot of cover. Open space, young hares would be best if you have access to that, slip as closely as possible. Otherwise I don't know. Get a a whippet too, to push them out and make them turn so the bigger dog can strike?

 

...small and light...do you have any pics?

 

Here's a link to afghans in the COO...but you prolly have already seen that....

 

http://www.afghanhoundsinternational.net/gallery/tazi

 

L

[Guest quixflash]

Small, light and stacks of enthousiasm...already caught a couple of rabbits. You're on the right track it sounds.

 

All longears are difficult, esspecially when there is a lot of cover. Open space, young hares would be best if you have access to that, slip as closely as possible. Otherwise I don't know. Get a a whippet too, to push them out and make them turn so the bigger dog can strike?

 

...small and light...do you have any pics?

 

Here's a link to afghans in the COO...but you prolly have already seen that....

 

http://www.afghanhoundsinternational.net/gallery/tazi

 

L

Hadn't sen that site . Very interesting. I will put some pics on if I can. Is there a link to explain how to do it?

[Lennard 10]

Oh I send you another link as a pm.

 

For pictures, get a photobucket account and upload the pics to there and then copy the url in your post and use the insert picture button of the post' menu.

 

L.