How Many Dogs And Breeding

[ryaldinhio 4,491]

Fellas, there has been a couple of threads on here about price of pups recently which I have enjoyed reading and commenting on however I am not a dog man so my view isnt based on much, in general I have asked questions as working lurchers is something I would like to get into.

 

What I have found confusing about it all was the number of people who breed. I had a vision in my head of getting a bitch working her for 3,4,5 years or whenever I could see she was getting towards having had enough....then IF she was good breeding her to keep a bitch and repeat the process. So to start with I would have 1 dog and then 1 old 1 young in a cycle and letting the older dog enjoy retirement infront of the fire. Thats what I had in my head anyways.

 

SO

 

1. How many dogs do you guys generally have? 1,2 a kennel full?

2. How often do you breed? When you need another dog (old age, injury, ill health etc), when a friend needs a dog, regular intervals?

3. When a dog is knocking on are they generally retired and kept? Or retired as a running greyhound of a certain age would be.

 

Im not tryna cause any bother lads, I saw the other threads became a bit of a slagging match. I am genuinly interested in learning all I can about the sport/pastime I am looking at getting into.

[Rapson73 61]

Complete honest reply here. Don't worry about it,,,

 

You will get a hundred replys and a hundred different answers, non of which will make things any clearer in youre mind,,,

 

Just work youre dogs. Enjoy them dogs. If you need another pup down the line then have a look what's about - Chances are somebody will have pups on the ground or up-and-coming which are better than what you currently got,,,

 

But worry about that then. U can't make plans in this game,,

[jeemes 4,445]

Making plans is half the fun once or if you get hooked properly. I have a few dogs and theyre all related to each other. You should only keep what you have room for but if you have lots of time you dont need as much room. Its good to concentrate on one dog and certainly best if you are a beginner with dogs. I would choose a dog mainly because he doesnt come in season twice a year if you are only keeping one but if you want to breed your own then start with a bitch from the best you can get and dont waste time worrying or haggling about money like a lot seem to do. They let money become the biggest issue. Its not if you want to do it right..Im not saying you need to pay a lot,Im saying it is totally irrelevant. What is relevant is the breeding and whats behind it. Please be aware as with all livestock the biggest names are the biggest bull shitters (see article in CW this week re English deerhounds) and are mainly interested in profit. Look at litters and get the feel for the people selling and when you have made a choice pay the money and believe in what youve got. Later on when you breed remember again money is irrelevant. If you are in it for the passion and the right reasons you will only ever loose money. Keep as many pups as you can for as long as you can and breed often to improve and create great hunting dogs. Obviously just my own opinion.

[green dragon 701]

Most people I know keep two but at one point my mate had 6. 1pet whippet 2 retired lurchers and 3 workers the way I see it is if you have anuf time and can give Eatch dog love and affection have as many as you want but like rapson73 said you can't make plans in this game things could change every time you go out safe hunting mate atb

[jeemes 4,445]

You can still make plans but be ready to make adjustments at short notice

[jeemes 4,445]

Hes obviously serious about this anyway......

[LaddyLurcher 260]

My two which you know well ryaldinho are close ages because if one got injured I couldn't bear not going out and one of each sex because if they both turn out good dogs then I have a foundation for breeding my own. I will decide when to breed etc when I feel the time is right, there both still nippers at the minute!

[Stud dog 632]

You cant plan anything in this game guys one wrong turn our decision bye a dog in full stride an its game over harsh I know but true then its down to you weather you start again an wear you source a pup from good luck with your first pup when you decide to take the leap

Edited December 28, 2015 by Stud dog

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

I agree with Rapson and the other lads who said don't make plans. I used to be the same myself trying to plan the future. But there is no point.

 

The next slip could be the dogs last and if they are out regular then them chances of accident are increased.

 

In the back of my mind, I'm hoping this pup of mine makes the grade and gives me something to breed from down the line. But I certainly won't be "making any plans" so to speak. She's a full on type and the type to be taken away early. I always said I wouldn't take a pup from the brindle because she was a slow starter and that could well be passed on in her genes. But she has improved 10 fold in the last 12 months and has made a handy pot filler. So I will see what the next few years bring.

 

I won't buy a pup in again if I can help it. The amount of bullshit you get fed looking for a pup and the muppets you have to deal with. I've got 2 bitches here now and hopefully won't be needing to buy in again, there will no doubt be better stuff out there and better pups on the ground than I could produce. But I would know piss all about them, I wouldn't have seen the parents work, I wouldn't know anything about their temperaments, working style or anything else, I wouldn't get a decent pick of the litter as a nobody, it would be get what you're given. No thanks.

 

If/when I do produce a litter of my own, it will be a very small litter and there will be a few surplus pups for sale. Not gifted out to Tom, Dick or Harry.

 

Also I don't believe a lurcher ever really retires. Mine certainly won't. They will be out, doing what they can (and what they want to) until the day comes that they cannot.

 

When the dog can't tag along on little mooches then I think it's time to let him slip away.

[king 11,972]

Good post that Gaz.im surrounded by forest and every time I go out for a mooch my oldest dog 10month goes through the forest with so much speed it makes me cringe just watching him.

And with the forest being a safe haven for bigger stuff he's obviously going to be chasing stuff through there.

So even a mooch could end up with him having a big knock.

If I'm lucky and they both come good I will be kicking myself for having 2 dogs and not a dog and bitch.

So I could start my own line.

But it could all go wrong next season and lose both dogs only time will tell in this adrenaline pumping exciting game.

The 2 hopefuls.

Edited December 28, 2015 by king

[green dragon 701]

Spike is turning into a good lucking pup he's going to a big boy and rex is a spit of my boy. I know how you feel when my pup is flying through the woodland he took a little tumble yesterday chasing after my mates collie x put a little hole in his front leg looked like he'd been shot with a .177 he didn't even notice he's a tough little fecker

Edited December 28, 2015 by green dragon

[king 11,972]

I'm sure he is going to be taller than Rex mate.totaly different temperament on him.

Rex uses his head a bit and thinks a bit but the pup just flys into anything at the moment lol.

Roll on next season can't wait.

Edited to add.

This is really good stuff GD.

http://www.equushealth.org.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=349

Edited December 28, 2015 by king

[Stud dog 632]

My pups same at min like everything as to be done at hundred miles an hour problem is its normally these types that end up injured our dead I just hope with abit of age on her back shell settle down abit

[green dragon 701]

Spike dose look like a handful how tall you do you think he will be?

[Daniel cain 44,962]

King if your pups brought up running the woods he should learn some sense imo,like the boys have said next slip could be the last wherever you running them,you can't always be what if? (Would sooner it be running than to lose in a kennel fight )it's the game we are in be it a runner our one under the sod.enjoy them to the full and use your head,atb dc