Peak age

[Black neck 15,832]

8 minutes ago, bird said:

well take my 2 last lurchers , bryn my 1x collie x grey, bryn at 9 months old, had caught 100 rabbits, he just had that knack, his strike, and pace was very good, he still knock over few rabbits 10 year old, he died at 14 year old .Now Big Buck , could catch rabbits at young age similar  bryn , he was the same, ok he wasnt bred just as rabbit dog, but he had good strike and pace for big dog . i say at 3 -4 years old he was on fire, he catch and hold  big things, feck me he bring back foxes to  me lol , when he got 8 year old, he  lost bit of pace. he 10 now he just like a mooch at night for 40 mins, he likes trot out  when the moon up. i not walking right now, i had Hernia Op today, still sore me balls are bruised , got a bloke by me walking him, with is pat bitch, and  our little woody, hoping to get back on track in couple weeks time.  Ray

Hope your alright mate

[harryshounds 921]

Depends on lots of things but I would say the best prime when a dogs at his absolute best yrs of a working dog are between 4 and 7 yrs age, definitely by 8yrs the miles will start to show but no reason a dog can't be useful right up into old age.

Edited February 15, 2023 by harryshounds

[Aussie Whip 4,080]

2 hours ago, Moocher71 said:

Some X's take longer to grow than others 

 

True, I had an Oz staghound who really didn't find his legs until nearly 3, he was huge. I only keep small whippet types and terriers now for rabbits.

[bird 9,857]

1 hour ago, Black neck said:

Hope your alright mate

thanks mate

[Moocher71 4,049]

10 hours ago, bird said:

well take my 2 last lurchers , bryn my 1x collie x grey, bryn at 9 months old, had caught 100 rabbits, he just had that knack, his strike, and pace was very good, he still knock over few rabbits 10 year old, he died at 14 year old .Now Big Buck , could catch rabbits at young age similar  bryn , he was the same, ok he wasnt bred just as rabbit dog, but he had good strike and pace for big dog . i say at 3 -4 years old he was on fire, he catch and hold  big things, feck me he bring back foxes to  me lol , when he got 8 year old, he  lost bit of pace. he 10 now he just like a mooch at night for 40 mins, he likes trot out  when the moon up. i not walking right now, i had Hernia Op today, still sore me balls are bruised , got a bloke by me walking him, with is pat bitch, and  our little woody, hoping to get back on track in couple weeks time.  Ray

That's good bag for 9 month old , always liked look of Bryn ,never liked shepherds but I see a couple lurchers bred out them that I'd be happy to feed ,one was a collie,shepherd grey X sal bul grey and he used on fox mostly and boy could he do his job ,

I've always enjoyed your posts about buck ,it's good you got a pal to walk him and woody

A mate had hernia op couple years ago and he rested for 3 weeks and he was fine so with couple weeks rest you be ok bud ,

ATB 

[Moocher71 4,049]

10 hours ago, Aussie Whip said:

True, I had an Oz staghound who really didn't find his legs until nearly 3, he was huge. I only keep small whippet types and terriers now for rabbits.

My cousin got 2 deerhound x Greyhounds and both was still like pups at 18 months old and the bitch didn't catch anything until 2 half .

Bigger the dog slower it matures so no dog going to be in peak unless it's fully grown .

Are staghound just deerhound X ?

My old whippet X catching before 12 months and snaffled a rabbit in hedgerow day before he passed away at 14 .

[Aussie Whip 4,080]

39 minutes ago, Moocher71 said:

Are staghound just deerhound X ?

Deerhound/greyhound, just bred for hunting over here for 200 odd years but there are different types with other stuff added. The dog I had was as tall as a big deerhound but bigger boned and ginger colored. He wasn't even looking at game until over two but once started he didn't look back.

[dytkos 17,782]

Good luck for a full and swift recovery Ray.

Cheers, D.

[Moocher71 4,049]

3 hours ago, Aussie Whip said:

Deerhound/greyhound, just bred for hunting over here for 200 odd years but there are different types with other stuff added. The dog I had was as tall as a big deerhound but bigger boned and ginger colored. He wasn't even looking at game until over two but once started he didn't look back.

My cousin nearly got rid of the bitch as she didn't take any interest in running anything up to over 2 but he glad he never got rid as he says she best he had in over 40 years of keeping lurchers 

[Aussie Whip 4,080]

8 hours ago, Moocher71 said:

My cousin nearly got rid of the bitch as she didn't take any interest in running anything up to over 2 but he glad he never got rid as he says she best he had in over 40 years of keeping lurchers 

I've heard of pig hunters shooting multiple young staghounds because they showed no interest at 6 months. Imo these people have no idea about running dogs, comparing them to bull or cattle dog crosses that start as early as a few months. Even some terriers can take their time and turn out great dogs with patience.

[bird 9,857]

On 16/02/2023 at 13:39, dytkos said:

Good luck for a full and swift recovery Ray.

Cheers, D.

Thanks Dave,  sore now, just resting, the bloke walking Buck. with the pat bitch,  doing good job,   I  need about a week rest, then try walk him, times like this having  dogs more big dog, is difficult, you need    good people  around you.

[jukel123 7,957]

On 15/02/2023 at 21:53, bird said:

well take my 2 last lurchers , bryn my 1x collie x grey, bryn at 9 months old, had caught 100 rabbits, he just had that knack, his strike, and pace was very good, he still knock over few rabbits 10 year old, he died at 14 year old .Now Big Buck , could catch rabbits at young age similar  bryn , he was the same, ok he wasnt bred just as rabbit dog, but he had good strike and pace for big dog . i say at 3 -4 years old he was on fire, he catch and hold  big things, feck me he bring back foxes to  me lol , when he got 8 year old, he  lost bit of pace. he 10 now he just like a mooch at night for 40 mins, he likes trot out  when the moon up. i not walking right now, i had Hernia Op today, still sore me balls are bruised , got a bloke by me walking him, with is pat bitch, and  our little woody, hoping to get back on track in couple weeks time.  Ray

Get well soon mate.