Clancy 1 Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 I am looking into lurchers at the moment and had a quick question. Since most "lurcher" type dogs in my area are going to be found at the Humane Society should I be looking for a younger dog as opposed to an older dog. I am assuming these dogs have never been out hunting before as no one I have heard of in my area hunts with lurchers. Most use beagles for rabbits,coyote dogs for coyotes, coonhounds for coons, traps for fox etc. Will it be better in your experience to start off a younger dog or is an older dog better since they are physically mature? Of course there is also the issue of instinct and drive as the parentage of the dog will never be known. Here are a few examples of the dogs available http://www.petfinder.com/photoView/photoVi...i?petid=9378989 http://www.petfinder.com/photoView/photoVi...i?petid=2569881 http://www.petfinder.com/photoView/photoVi...i?petid=6154198 http://www.petfinder.com/photoView/photoVi...i?petid=9334341 http://www.petfinder.com/photoView/photoVi...i?petid=6780107 I appreciate all insight Quote Link to post
Clancy 1 Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 I would also be curious as to what your favorite cross is. Quote Link to post
wilba1985 0 Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 4 out of 5 of them look like bull x to me i do like the big dog blue tho a nice stamp of dog tha Quote Link to post
Clancy 1 Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 4 out of 5 of them look like bull x to me i do like the big dog blue tho a nice stamp of dog tha Not knowing how a dog is bred how would you go about testing one out, take them out lamping? Go to the pound with a rag full of rabbit scent and see if they get excited? Sorry if this is a dumb question. Quote Link to post
Guest lurcher-lass Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 hey from those pics the 2nd one looks a very well built lurcher Quote Link to post
Lennard 10 Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 (edited) Yeah what would be your favorite type of dog and what would you want to hunt? The bull types look too heavy for me for what I want, I am after rabbit and hare and Lord knows jackrabbit...the ratty longdogs do it for me also cause they are nice to live with. In the UK a lot of people use lurchers with dogs like collie or terriers crossed in for brains and more power/toughnes for biting quarry or more efficiency but you might sacrifice speed and easy goingness... L Edited October 30, 2007 by Lennard Quote Link to post
Clancy 1 Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Yeah what would be your favorite type of dog and what would you want to hunt? The bull types look too heavy for me for what I want, I am after rabbit and hare and Lord knows jackrabbit...the ratty longdogs do it for me also cause they are nice to live with. In the UK a lot of people use lurchers with dogs like collie or terriers crossed in for brains and more power/toughnes for biting quarry or more efficiency but you might sacrifice speed and easy goingness... L I do like terriers. I have 2 right now. I would want to use the dogs for rabbit, fox and possibly as a draw dog as well. What makes a good alrounder? Quote Link to post
Nobby 65 Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Hi clancy i think it is hard for anyone this side of the pond to give advice on what to look for over there but a start would be what are looking to hunt with the dog.Its up to you if take on a dog from the Humane Society but you dont know if the dog would be any good for hunting or what its history was i think i would look for a coyote hound as it could be used to hunt other prey as well .If i had to pick a favorite cross it would be a close call between a bedlington x and deerhoundx but i also like other crosses too . Quote Link to post
Guest MOLLY Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Over here rescue dogs are moved from county to county (state to state) to rescues, in places they think they have a better chance of finding a home...eg, large dogs to countryfied places, small dogs to towns etc. So lurchers may end up in places where there is not much hunting, it does not mean they have not, nor are not capable of hunting. Ask the rescues, alot of the time they do have history with the dogs or are sufficiently knowledgeable to estimate if the dog has been worked or not. Just cos it is in a rescue does not mean its a crap dog MOLL. Quote Link to post
Clancy 1 Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 (edited) Hi clancy i think it is hard for anyone this side of the pond to give advice on what to look for over there but a start would be what are looking to hunt with the dog.Its up to you if take on a dog from the Humane Society but you dont know if the dog would be any good for hunting or what its history was i think i would look for a coyote hound as it could be used to hunt other prey as well .If i had to pick a favorite cross it would be a close call between a bedlington x and deerhoundx but i also like other crosses too . Good suggestion. I'll see what turns up. Still I like the look of the lurcher better than the coyote hounds and might sacrifice speed and agility. Cheers Edited October 30, 2007 by Clancy Quote Link to post
hairybull 3 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I've never had a dog that wouldnt chase, but if I were you I'd spend some time with it in a yard (exercise yard?) making sure its obedient and listens otherwise you will be spending alot of time with an independent rogue trying to get it to listen. Ive had running dogs from pups, 12months old and 5/6 years old and all were great workers I'd have to agree that the only dog there thats looks to be of any use is the big blue dog, the rest just look like pitX or halfbred bullies. They dont look bull/greyhoundy at all. Quote Link to post
cymruguy69 5 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I like that blue dog Lotus! I think he would make a good allrounder but not all dogs make the grade and I wouldn't even start to judge without seeing the personality of the dog or seeing it out in the field!! Best of luck with your choices?? By the way good on you for taking on a rescue dog Quote Link to post
angierooke 0 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 please get a dog from rescue - i don't know about where you are but over here - uk -there are so many who would love the chance of a loving home.some live in concrete kennels and this is no life for a hunting dog. get 2 while you are at it! X Quote Link to post
Crow 1 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Clancy, whilst I admire your decision to rehome a homeless dog quite simply my advice would be not to! Get yourself a pup of 8 weeks old, one that you know the breeding of and start with a clean canvass. I purchased a 6-month old lurcher and the first year was a bit frustrating to say the least. He had so many 'issues' that had I not had another (already working) dog then I may have given up on him! He did come good as they say, but I'd never get an older pup, let alone an adult, again. Rehoming as a pet is totally different in my opinion and I'd consider doing so, but for a working dog then I'm afraid it will be a pup every time. Sorry to all the supporters of rescue dogs, but I'm only being honest! Either way, good luck. Crow Quote Link to post
cúagusgiorraí 57 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Clancy, I think the second looks good. The bull crosses look good for biting back quarry that you would be mostly after. Come on everyone!! Help this guy out, anymore suggestions? Does anyone know of lurcher breeders in the states? Quote Link to post
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