Bull lurcher

Merrymoles

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An extremely large lurcher has popped up on our local charity rehoming site and I am pondering...

We have always had rescue dogs (although two of our six don't really count as they were my mums) and we currently have a four-year-old Newfoundland x German Shepherd. It is the first time in 23 years that we have only had one dog and I worry that she doesn't get much chance to socialise because we are quite remote so don't really see other dogs when we are out. She got on well with our old collie who we lost last spring and shared a kennel with a beagle at the rescue centre.

Apparently he is a bull lurcher and close to the size of a Great Dane. He was extremely thin when rescued and appears to be covered in scars - I suspect from badger baiting which is something of a problem around here. He is five and described as "dopey" which goes against all the lurchers I have ever known who have been on the sharp and/or nutcase side.

We have a couple of fenced acres but not high fences and, obviously, would need to ensure he got on with current dog.

Help me ponder! Would you? Would I need a second mortgage to feed him? Do you know anything about bull lurchers?

All advice gratefully received.
 

Clodagh

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A friend has one and she is a lovely dog. Not as big as the one you describe, she is good natured with other dogs but a killing machine on a lamp. (foxes).
Go and meet him and then decide, he will probably not be the most trainable animal! (Bullies being thick and/or stubborn and longdogs being wilful/selfish probably won't give you a cross that wants to please you.)
 

The Fuzzy Furry

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My brother has 1, its Lurch x Dane x Bull. He's got 2 other large rescues too.
This one is fine on 1 to 1, took a long time to settle in, lots of training needed as hated getting into any vehicle (will now). He can still be unpredictable around other dogs 4 years on, usually bitches but not always. Can be a right tit with visitors but better when out. Unfortunately his joints are not good, but this often goes with big ones , sadly I don't think he'll see next winter due to both stifles having issues as well as a knee, but hes reached 8 which is a good age for a huge creature with issues.
He's actually been better/more even tempered in the last 5 months since they added a Briard x Lurch x big French hound (she's a poppet, well through her search and rescue training already)
 

Leo Walker

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I wouldnt as I'd be worried about the health implications and the fact they tend not to live very long. Thats assuming its a dane x rather than an actual bull lurcher. Bull lurchers arent huge but tend to be very stocky, powerful dogs brave and independant enough to take down foxes, they are smaller than grey hounds usually though as greyhounds are generally considered too big for lamping.
 

twiggy2

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My lurchers have always has some bull (Staffie) in them, I like the craziness it gives, they are clowns and fun living but can be killing machines.
Meet him, walk him (they can be very strong) and see what you think.
Just to add typical bull lurchers can be heavy but are usually no taller than a greyhound.
 

{97702}

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Well, now I have posted once, I can’t resist....

I totally agree with Twiggy, I haven’t had a bull lurcher personally (yet!) but all the ones I have met have been gorgeous & total clowns. But also very strong (as Twiggy has said) so they need clear parameters and rules. I’d check him out for ‘fit’ with your other dog & if OK I would go for it.... but that’s why I have 4 rescues....😊
 

splashgirl45

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you will only know if you go and meet him. my only word of caution would be that he has very likely been used for hunting and therefore you may be limited with areas you can walk him safely. yes you can have him on a long line but when he is fully fit he could yank you off your feet. although i adore lurchers you need to be alert at all times just in case they decide to go and even a smallish one can take you off your feet.....good luck

nice to see you back levrier:):)
 

planete

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The ones I have known have all been human friendly. Two have been 'dog unfriendly, one of them actually went back to the rescue after he savaged the small dog he had lived with for a few months. One is a hunting maniac and hyperactive, the other one is a couch potato. You will only really know what he is like after he has been with you some time. Any chance you could foster him first with a view to adopt? The scarring would worry me a bit too making me wonder what he has been used for and how much fighting skill he has had to acquire to survive.
 

Clodagh

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Badgers I should think, foxes are killed by these sort of dogs like jack russells with rats, it isn't much of a fight.
 

Greylegs

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Reading with interest as our new lad (had him for 8 weeks now) is a staffie/whippet cross which technically qualifies him as a bull lurcher I guess .... I’d never thought about it before to be honest.

He’s a running machine with very poor recall, but getting better, and a total sweetie with other dogs .... he just wants to run and play and hasn’t got an ounce of aggression in him. He’s also proving to be very bright and trainable, great in the house and loves to sleep as much as he loves to run. As someone up thread has said, we do need eyes in the back of our heads when we walk him as he takes off as soon as he sees another dog/ potential playmate.

However, he is also covered in scars which look like old bites. We have no idea if he’s been used for hunting, so that’s a bit concerning.

Size wise, he’s the same size to the shoulder as my friends working lab but a very different stamp of a dog ...

Not sure if any of this helps with your decision but will continue to follow .....
 
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