Advice on a rescue bullX Lurcher?

[bullmastiff 615]

The family and I were at the Westcountry game fair today and I took the missus in to see the Lurcher show as she thought all Lurcher's were thin dainty whippet like dogs!!! so took her in to see some different breeds. In the ring at the time was a Lurcher that she loved the look of. Spoke to the guy after to find out what cross he was (bullXGreyX?) and found out it was from a rescue kennel and was up for adoption.

He had been dumped outside the rescue kennel in October with his muzzle opened up and his bottom lip ripped up, it Healed ok apart from a slightly wonky nose and his bottom lip sticks out slightly, he also has some scarring around the muzzle.

The guy said he was good with kids and dogs and you could take his food away at anytime but he hates cats, none of my dogs have been encouraged to like cats (next door has 9 of them trying to sh*t on my lawn!) so not a problem. We took a card so we could get in touch.

 

So the problems-

1: Probably the biggest worry - Tia doesn't like Aggressive/dominant dogs and won't back down, (my fault entirely but something I've never been able to stop) and she WILL fight over it if not restrained. Although the Lurcher doesn't seem overly dominant. he does have testicles and bull blood so I'm guessing he won't back down either?.

 

2: Both he and Tia are complete so will this be a problem? (we have room to separate them when Tia's season starts)

 

3: He's not trained in anyway, House or basic. Usually this wouldn't be a problem as I enjoy training but I'm currently working 12 hour days so it would up to the missus for now.

 

We've never adopted/rescued before, so what comes next? what should we ask about and look for with the dog. How should I introduce him with Tia to see if it would even be viable to take him home? (although they met briefly at the show) Take them for a walk together?

 

That said he did look a cracking dog and had a great temperament and we both fell for him! (you can see his funny lip but not the wonky nose)

 

 

Any advice would really be appreciated

 

Thanks.

 

Luke

Edited March 16, 2008 by bullmastiff

[bullmastiff 615]

Anyone?

[FJager 0]

Anyone?

Hi BM, top looking dog.

If you can take a dogs food away with no drama, that is a great sign, as you probably know.

The issue with your Bitch would resolve itself soon enough, she may even be glad of the company, yes they may take a bit of time to sort the pecking order but they will settle down.

[lurchergrrl 1,441]

I'd take them for a walk together, see how they get on. This will also give you an opportunity to see how he responds to basic learning - bring some treats, see if he's interested in food rewards etc. If the missus feels confident about house training, that shouldn't be a problem. Ask the rescue if he's crate trained: if so, that would make your life a lot easier. It might also be worth having him neutered if you're ok with that.

 

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[Royston2 0]

i wouldn`t get his bollocks of mate too be fair i have 6 bitchs and 1 dog all entire never causes me a problem

[lurchergrrl 1,441]

Sure you're right there Roy2. Sometimes tho, it does help with some dogs.

[Royston2 0]

Certain dogs your right if castrated it can stop them being a typical dominant male but not normally when they get in to full maturity i think do it before they hit maturity if your going to....I just like too keep dogs entire unless medical..........

[Tallyho 181]

if you aint got the time to teach him anything and your worried that him and the bitch will fight , i personally would leave it, and not have him.

[bullmastiff 615]

Thank you all for your advice,

I think I'll see if we can take them for a walk together and see if they get along, if so, (hopefully it won't come to castrastion!) I might be able to get him out of the kennels by the end of the month.

The long hours should stop soon (within a 4-5 weeks) so I will have more time to train him. but the missus is confident enough for the house and some basic training until then.

If not, then I'll post the kennels address/phone Nº if anyone wants to take a look at him.

 

FJager, company for Tia is one of the reasons we were looking for another dog, she's been depressed and lazy since my Spanial died, we were looking at puppies until we saw Roo!

 

Thank you again everyone, I'll keep you updated

 

Luke.

[spartacus 22]

Good luck mate i saw the dog there and he seemed to get along with both of my bull greyhounds, a dog and bitch, i think he would be alright

[bullmastiff 615]

Well we went to look at him today and took him for a 4-5 mile walk with Tia and they got on great, quick snarling match at first when he tried to mount her. but he backed down, fuss over! they then turned into best of mates, running and playing as if they've known each other for ever.

So even though we only went to look at him, we ended up bringing him home with us. I didn't realise adopting was so simple and easy!

On the ride home, he tried mounting her again, she pulled a lip back and he jumped off and started licking her face. So hopefully pack position is sorted already.

As soon as we got home, quick walk, grabbed the camera for a few photo's then he's through the front door and pee's on the door frame and try's to jump onto the kitchen side. so popped him in his crate and let him settle down in his new home, new life and hopefully he'll have a long and happy family life with us.

Some quick photo's

[lurchergrrl 1,441]

Excellent news

 

Very best of luck to you all.

[Missie 1]

Usually rescues insist that the dogs are neutered under the adoption agreement. Most of the time they are already done but in some cases you have to agree to get it done when suitable. They also usually homecheck.

 

I'm not saying yours is an unsuitable home but adopting a dog through rescue isn't usually as easy as you've found it. The rescue will usually insist on at least one or two meetings between the resdident dog and the rescue dog.

 

Even so, well done for taking on a rescue, it may be a long and frustating journey at times but the good times will way outweigh the bad!

[swamper 11]

smart mate......good luck

[FJager 0]

'peed on the door frame'

thats a classic mate, good to see he gets along with your bitch and best of luck.

Are you going to work him?