Dogs that dont nake the grade

[Paul in North Lincs 15]

May seem strange, but I was quietly thinking about the grey area and stigma attached to moving on dogs

 

What are your views on dogs that just dont make the grade???...... there are plenty out there - but it seems most owners are too ashamed to admitt it.

 

Alot of lurcher lads boldy state that they would move them on without a second thought if they don't do what is required of them - the logic behind this is clearly understandable - to those who associate no emotional feelings whatsoever to their dogs, and see them as work tools only.... In the same breath these 'experts' critize the the amount of dog traffic at the end of the season.

 

On the other hand there are those amongst us who have very close bonds with their dogs, who couldn't perhaps physically part with their dogs - then what?... Are you then to feed a dog for the rest of its life..... that is usless in the field??

 

So what would you do???? Personally I hunt scuts and my dogs do this very, so I've never had this problem and am unsure what I would do in this situation

 

- Most that dont cut it get sold on as workers = Wrong

- plenty get sent to the dog rescue homes = Wrong

- some may get passed on as pets...... but not that many

 

One thing is for sure, there are too many lurcghers out there that are being sold and move about and sent to resscue homes... but non with an 'honest tag' that says..... ............." this dog jacks and won't pick up" !!!!!

 

What is fair? what is ethical? what is the right thing to do?

 

would you keep it?..... would you snesk up to the dog home and saying your grannies just died and you cant look after her old dog?.....you you sell it?....do you pass it off as a pet?......... do you have it pts?

 

I am expecting a wide spectrum of answers on this subject, and it was not drawn as a loaded thread to start an argument.......I'm simply interested in peoples views on this.

[Paul in North Lincs 15]

kennels is NOT an option ... try and find pet homes , never pass a none worker off as worker , the majority of ads in the yellow paper are just that , ... plus it always comes back to bite you in the arse ...

 

 

exactly..............the majority of dogs that are sold as workers, or in the resuce homes are no good....and i suppse thats my point.

 

from what I read, alot of doggin lads are 'holyier than thow' yet the percentage of dogs for sale and in the rescue homes completely condradicts this

[spookster 0]

I am one of those pet homes that takes these lurchers on! I understand that not all pet homes are great, with regards to keeping the dogs in peak conditon, I think it is a better option then the dog getting past from pillar to post! My lot have a great life, get a lot of free running and are very fit and happy! My salukix boy won the 32 dog stake racing at the EOE lure coursing(think thats who it was, in peterborough) It was mainly rescue dogs and they were all very fit! My boy did very well in the flat racing too but was beaten by two dogs in the final that raced all the time. I pride myself in my dogs looking in top condition!

I think the dog wouldn't get what it deserves if kept in a working home but not working?

[salukiman 28]

kennels is NOT an option ... try and find pet homes , never pass a none worker off as worker , the majority of ads in the yellow paper are just that , ... plus it always comes back to bite you in the arse ...

 

bang on there i think that pet homes are the best option but there not easy to find

[connie 0]

I am one of those pet homes that takes these lurchers on! I understand that not all pet homes are great, with regards to keeping the dogs in peak conditon, I think it is a better option then the dog getting past from pillar to post! My lot have a great life, get a lot of free running and are very fit and happy! My salukix boy won the 32 dog stake racing at the EOE lure coursing(think thats who it was, in peterborough) It was mainly rescue dogs and they were all very fit! My boy did very well in the flat racing too but was beaten by two dogs in the final that raced all the time. I pride myself in my dogs looking in top condition!

I think the dog wouldn't get what it deserves if kept in a working home but not working?

If you can find some one like yourself thats great you know they gone to a good home but if not I think to pts is better

[Paul in North Lincs 15]

I am one of those pet homes that takes these lurchers on! I understand that not all pet homes are great, with regards to keeping the dogs in peak conditon, I think it is a better option then the dog getting past from pillar to post! My lot have a great life, get a lot of free running and are very fit and happy! My salukix boy won the 32 dog stake racing at the EOE lure coursing(think thats who it was, in peterborough) It was mainly rescue dogs and they were all very fit! My boy did very well in the flat racing too but was beaten by two dogs in the final that raced all the time. I pride myself in my dogs looking in top condition!

I think the dog wouldn't get what it deserves if kept in a working home but not working?

If you can find some one like yourself thats great you know they gone to a good home but if not I think to pts is better

 

 

Yes perhaps.................... loving homes for all cast out lurchers are simply not there..... I do take my hat off thought to anyone who does take them on and do great things with them.

[ianm 2,594]

If a dog does not make the grade required of it then it should be put down for the following reasons,

 

(A) It saves the unfortunate dog the stress etc of being passed from home to home.

 

( It prevents unscrupulous individuals breeding from inferior stock thereby strengthening the lurcher gene pool as a whole.

 

© It costs the same amount of money, time and effort to keep a good dog as it does to keep a bad one.

Edited March 19, 2008 by ianm

[markw 0]

Paul, It's a very emotive subject, and one I doubt will attract may response simply because of that. Though it's a discussion certainly worth having.

 

From my own perspective, if a dog was no use as a worker, and as you say there are plenty. That said, there are plenty with potential who's owner lack the skill or patience to get the best out of them, but that's another debate. Before anyone takes offence, I have been guilty in the past myself, and have parted with dogs too soon, simply because I had lost patience with slow maturing type, or where the dog and I did not suit each other (probably down to me).

 

Returning to the point, if I found myself with (what I believed to be) a 'duffer', I would either give it away to a working home, on the basis that whoever took had full knowledge of the facts. Those being that I could not get it to work, and if it would not do so for them, it should be returned. Or rehome it as a pet, making very sure (or a sure as possible) i knew it was intended to become a pet, and not just being taken to be sold on, or bred from. On both counts you need to be very selective. However, as pointed out be another respondent, good pet homes are difficult to find, so I now only keep as many as I can hope to rehome, or intend to keep until the end of their natural life.

 

I suppose it's all a matter of conscience, with a touch of economics thrown, in or vice versa, depending on your own particular point of view. I totally regard the lurcher as a working animal, and (respectfully) treat them as such.

Edited March 19, 2008 by markw

[spookster 0]

If a dog does not make the grade required of it then it should be put down for the following reasons,

 

(A) It saves the unfortunate dog the stress etc of being passed from home to home.

 

( It prevents unscrupulous individuals breeding from inferior stock thereby strengthening the lurcher gene pool as a whole.

 

© It costs the same amount of money, time and effort to keep a good dog as it does to keep a bad one.

 

I don't agree that pts should be the first option, I am so pleased the people who had my lot before me didn't chose that option. i can't imagine life without them!

here are some pictures of a walk I was on with 18 rescued lurchers and greyhounds!

Some of thses dogs were in a real mess when taken on by their pet homes and look at them now, happy and fit!

[Paul in North Lincs 15]

all very interesteing views.

 

I assume all those guilty of peddling gods and rescue home 'frequenters' will stay out of this discussion.....

 

Inan: I think you are 'bang on

 

Spoosker: I also think you are 'bang on'

 

 

talk about stitting on the fence

[Leadhead 0]

The real question is why do the dogs get passed on.

 

Mainly because they are shit.

 

Why are they?

 

Because the individuals responsible have not put the time in to make sure the dog makes the grade. it is very easy to blame the dog and these individuals will more than likely find the same problem with the next dog and the next dog.

 

I can understand a dog jacking on stuff that bites back but even then it should make the grade as a lurcher of some sorts whether it be for mooching or rabbiting etc.

 

Like I say nine times out of ten you should look at the owners to find the fault not the dog!

[Paul in North Lincs 15]

The real question is why do the dogs get passed on.

 

Mainly because they are shit.

 

Why are they?

 

Because the individuals responsible have not put the time in to make sure the dog makes the grade. it is very easy to blame the dog and these individuals will more than likely find the same problem with the next dog and the next dog.

 

I can understand a dog jacking on stuff that bites back but even then it should make the grade as a lurcher of some sorts whether it be for mooching or rabbiting etc.

 

Like I say nine times out of ten you should look at the owners to find the fault not the dog!

 

 

very true...... I agree 100%.................... but it still dosn't alter the stats

[slip 1]

The real question is why do the dogs get passed on.

 

Mainly because they are shit.

 

Why are they?

 

Because the individuals responsible have not put the time in to make sure the dog makes the grade. it is very easy to blame the dog and these individuals will more than likely find the same problem with the next dog and the next dog.

 

I can understand a dog jacking on stuff that bites back but even then it should make the grade as a lurcher of some sorts whether it be for mooching or rabbiting etc.

 

Like I say nine times out of ten you should look at the owners to find the fault not the dog!

 

 

very true...... I agree 100%.................... but it still dosn't alter the stats

shouldnt b bred in the first place just going in circles

[Scallywag 78]

I've got two rescue lurchers. One hasn't been much cop for working - when I got her she jacked, wouldn't jump and killed sheep. Two and a half years on she doesn't jack, still won't jump and is better but not 100% with sheep. I'm careful where I take her but she caught well on our last outing so is coming on. Many people would rightly have decided not to bother with her but i was happy to have her as a pet. My second dog is spot on, I can't imagine how he ended up in rescue because he's a great dog. I wouldn't get rid of either of these dogs for anything.

When I'm ready i'll get myself a pup to bring on (with guidance) and I will be choosy about who and where I get him from and I'll want him to catch for me. If he doesn't, I'll seriously consider finding a pet home for him. If that's not possible i'll no doubt keep him. I think it would be perfectly OK at that stage to have him put to sleep and I wish I was practical and no nonsense enough to consider it but the truth is I'm too soft.

[ianm 2,594]

clowns owning lurchers has been a problem since god was a lad and unfortunately there is not a lot you can do about that.

 

Or is there.?????????

 

maybe if people breeding a litter of pups where more selective in thier choice of prospective owners then perhaps there wouldnt be so many dogs that "didnt make the grade".

 

I have owned lurchers for over 35 years and only breed when i need to replace my current working stock.

 

I never sell pups, i prefer to give them to friends and associates who will give the pup every chance to prosper, some members on here have pups from my last litter and will testify to that. Because i was carefull in the selection of the stud dog and the owners of the pups i fully expect ALL of the litter to make the grade.

 

So there is a way to cut down on unwanted dogs in my opinion, but is everyone dedicated enough to care, i think the number of rescue dogs etc sadly answers that one.