Running dogs passed around

[peterbirdman1 206]

Hi all been a member a while now but not put up a topic before. I was just wondering if anyone could enlighten me as to why so many young running dogs are advertised for sale at this time of year. Surely all the hard work should have been done and a bond formed ready for a life time of hunting.

Yours in sport Pete

[heart of wales 19]

Should be a good topic

 

My theory is two fold

To many Bullshiters who talk up there dogs like if they were jet propelled or had the heart and body of a lion,young impressionable hunters listen to thier bullshit and think their eight month old dogs should be catching as many rabbits as mxy.

 

Secondly

Lack of training fitness and obidience dogs stuck in the shed owner comes home from work neve been road walked or biked fed on dry biscuit happy shopper then dragged out in the field let lose on probably the greatest athlete in the animal kingdom,and wonders why butch isnt quick enough to even get close

 

Some are geniune obviously but I would say the above plays a big factor in rehoming

[ferret boy charlie 0]

i think that people are to busy working there older dogs to get out with there youngens . . .

[chartpolski 25,198]

i think that people are to busy working there older dogs to get out with there youngens . . .

Then why have them ?

[poacherkev 64]

Heart of wales i think you have hit the nail on the head mate with that reply :clapper:

[ferret boy charlie 0]

i think that people are to busy working there older dogs to get out with there youngens . . .

Then why have them ?

coz they forget how much work a pup is then they go out and get a pup and then think it aint worth the hassle

[peterbirdman1 206]

Surely at the age most are moved on all the hard work should have been done

[bird 10,013]

i think that people are to busy working there older dogs to get out with there youngens . . .

Then why have them ?

 

True, how many really have enough work for two dogs, and you dont sell good un's.

[riohog 5,810]

ive been keeping running dogs for something close on to 40 years and ive had a few dogs in that time

 

some better than others they come to me and stay until they die they dont learn mutch in the kennel

 

or on the settee youve got to get them out and about to learn sights sonds smells theres no magic

 

 

 

you have to put the time in

[leegreen 2,221]

I have my dog's from day one untill death. If I were to place a dog and "place" being the word it would only to a good perminant, working home or otherwise and it would stay untill one was found usually from one of my many dog/animal friend's and associtiates.

All of this boil's down to being responcable and our varying degree's of responcibilty and what we intend to do about them.

Too many about who want one and who are willing to make one, without thought. But that is life I'm affaid.

[munty king 0]

I agree with heart of wales, I myself have taken on a couple older dogs and apart from the very first dog I bought they have always had one problem or another and I end up stuck with them cos I am to soft to get rid of them!

 

People vastly underestimate the time needed for a working dog, I have mine in kennels and they still need to be walked, cleaned out and fed every day which at its quickest takes an hour and a half to two hours.

 

I have a 9 year old dog who I have had since a pup who now has a constant limp due to various injurys, he does not work just walks with the others, some days I think he should be put to sleep but other days I think cos he has served me well he should live out his days in the kennels. He is a pain cos I can't bike him with the others but he was also a great alround dog in his day so I feel I should keep him.

 

I have another who is the litter brother to my bitch who I bred myself, he is 4 years of age and I had him back from my father last april, he spent the first 3 years of his life on the farm living a life of riley until he was suspected of killing a sheep, I said I would take him back (partly cos his sister has turned out so well) and although a good strong dog and very keen he has his faults! He loves to hunt and ignore you when you call him, if he catches anything he runs off and tries to hide it. He is a lovely natured dog but I cant lamp him cos he clears a field on his first slip. I plan to make him at least come back when called and retrieve this year!

 

People are lazy and give up easily, I personally will never take on an older dog again and will only bring on a pup that I have complete control over, that way I am the only one to blame for the dogs short comings.

 

cheers

[heart of wales 19]

I have only ever passed on one Dog and that was a Pure coursing bred whippet out of tremendous stock,bought him at Eight weeks,paid a lot of money for him ,reared him,trained him as I would any dog,started him on mice at six months then rats at eight months ferreted rabbits and lamped at twelve months he was like shit of a shovel,but lacked a main component in my book heart,he gave up to easy,would probably catch about three out of ten rabbits,would mark and catch rabbits in nets but if one bolted missed hole,he hardly ever caught.

A mate was after a dog for just ferreting good home and decent bloke so I gave him to him.

Started using my white Gsd after that caught more with her on the lamp

[peterbirdman1 206]

Hi all some really good replies. I my self have been in to lurchers for 30 years. The running dogs i have at the moment are three, 2 males & 1 bitch. The oldest 15 years. youngest 8 months old. The pup is doing quite well had a few on the lamp already. this is the youngest i personally have entered a pup. Every dog is different & this pup is mentally & physically more ready at this age than the others were. Maybe the whippet in his breeding keeping his size down, where the others have been large breeds. They have all done what i have asked of them. That is why they are here to stay. I Believe a lot is to do with people listening to stories of large hauls of rabbits being taken by other dogs, true or not but believe their dog should be doing the same with out understanding the dogs physical & mental requirements. Get it right at the start and you should have many good years hunting together. Get it wrong and pup up for sale. Don't expect too much to soon & be patient. Not all land holds large amounts of quarry. A dog can only catch quarry that is there. As long as he fills the pot. Yours in sport.