Dogs (lurcher) experts - advice and help please........

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MDJO

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Hi everyone - i hope you can share some of your advice with me. My partner and I are thinking about getting a dog. I have always wanted one, and my partner had a dog a number of years ago. We saw a lovely lurcher type at the shelter today, who was a real sweetie (a bit 'dog' agressive but getting better apparantly).
I am now working from home and go out normally for 3-4 hours per day, but occasionally (about once per fortnight) this can be a full day.
Do you think this type of dog would be ok being left for this amount of time? How would i manage any seperation anxiety? Do you think this is a suitable first dog? I understand they are sight hounds and likely to want to go after small furry fast things, and this might be a silly question, but are they generally OK with horses? Any special dietary requirements i should know about?
I have read up a plenty on the t'interweb but would appreciate first hand experiences.
Any other information on these types of dogs would be very much appreciated. Not sure of his exact breeding but looks like a big heavier weight greyhound, - I think he's could be greyhound / collie cross (his behaviour was a bit collie like if you know what I mean) His coat had a similar appearance to say, a labrador.
All advice very much appreciated
Thanks in advance
 
Oh and I meant to say, he's about 4 years old and shelter recommended neutering. Is it OK to neuter at this later age? Also, are there any conditions typical to this type of dog i should be aware of?
Thanks again
 
I've got two lurchers and I just love them. It's hard to say what their typical traits are as there are so many mixes. Our two are very different. Dom is a proper lurcher, Bes is more of a long dog.

Dom won't chase anything except rabbits really, he's great round the horses and cats. Bes on the other hand will chase absolutely anything that is small and moves quickly (including other peoples balls in the park etc!). She has also chased my horse when he was cantering and she was lucky not to be kicked so I'm careful with her around the horses. She'll generally only chase something moving quickly so she's generally ok on the yard but i crate her when I'm riding. She's also def not cat friendly which can be noisy on the lead or passing one in the car!

Both dogs go to work with me and my other half so we don't leave them very often. they are happy for 4/5 hours though if we give them a walk first. they did have a little separation anxiety at first but we built up the time we left them slowly and they are fine now. We started with them just being in a small area with nothing to chew (as they chewed our memory foam mattress the first time we left them for a reasonable period of time) and now we can give them the free run of the house while we are out and they are fine.

They were our first dogs and I think they generally do make quite good first dogs. We've learnt a lot and are still learning but they are nice natured animals.

Ours are quite fussy eaters and we now feed raw as they love it. Bes shovels her food in as quick as possible and Dom likes to eat nice and slowly so we sometimes have to feed them separately as Dom won't always stand up for himself and ends up with no dinner!!! Dom came to us quite under weight but he's picked up really well and we now have to be a bit strict with him as he can get a bit porky. Bes on the other hand can eat and eat and eat and stays the same weight! She does run a lot though when walking so burns a lot of calories where Dom prefers to trot about!

Dom can be quite independent and stubborn when he wants to but he is also very nervous in certain situations - especially with new dogs. Bes is much more obedient in normal circumstances but when her blood is up there's no chance of controlling her!

They are generally very cuddly and loving. They like nothing better than a nice comfy bed or sofa to cuddle up on! Both ours are very loyal, Bes to me and Dom to my other half.

Oh and they are great at injuring themselves so insurance is a good idea!!!

This is Dom:
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And Bes:
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Good luck, don't think you can beat a lurcher reallly
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I have a rescued lurcher and also a whippet, I work 10 days a month and they are left for 8 hours ( I'm home at lunch). Mine are fine but do get plenty of exercise so they are happy to sleep and chill out.
Mine are also fine with horses, they live with a cat but will catch and kill rabbits but this doesn't worry me.
I'd say go for it, you'll wonder how you managed without one!
 
I have a lurcher, hes just one years old. He is so soft and loving but we have had trouble leaving him alone. He manages about 40 mins then howls!! He hasnt chewed anything, was so easy to house train and is an angel apart from leaving him alone. We have had good days when he has been left longer but I think our problem is he isnt left often and as a pup he spent his days at the stables with his brother and sister so it hasnt been something he has got used to from a young age. So all our fault I think. His brother and sister are fine left alone. He is great round horses but will chase rabbits, his sister catches them and then eats them! Hes fine around cats but will chase one if it runs.
Exercise wise, he is quite active but will sleep for hours after a good run with the other dogs at the stables.
I agree they are all so different even ones from the same litter.
 
I have a lurcher, she is a real couch potato and can be left for hours if needs be but we have a dog flap anyway so she can get out to do her business if she wants to, just she hardly ever bothers unless it's to go out and sit in the sunshine!
She will chase cats if they run and catch rabbits which she has for tea. Lurchers of any mix, makes great pets, there's loads of info on lurcher.org if in doubt, Oz
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I have 11 dogs and 8 are lurchers, we have just about every mix of lurcher there is
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they are fab dog given he right training and differ slightly depending on their x, they are pretty laid back as a breed the bull x's being a little more fiestly more prone to be reactive to other dogs, esp ones with a rescue back ground, but they are loving, and make good family pets, the collie x's are of a brighter variety usually
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alot of people/family's now are looking to offer rescue lurchers a home, we rehomed 2 lurchers from our rescue this weekend, all familys with young kids, not all lurchers chase and kill, esp ones that have never been used for hunting, most will chase small pets just as other breeds would, it a natural chase instinct, they can definately learn to live long side small animals, I have alot of cats, as I have a cattery full of them, and my dogs don't bother them, and it was pretty easy to train them with smaller animals, I also have a horse, I have never had any probs with my lurchers and my horse.

4 years is not to old to neuter, im suprised the rescue has not done this already
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3-4 hours is fine to leave a dog alone.
Seperation anxiety can be worked with, and it is best to establish a routine asap, as suggested, a smaller/area or crate to begin with to gradually get the dog used to spending time alone when u are in aswell as out is the most impotrtant factor, many people get a rescue, take time off work and spend every waking hour with them, then return to work leaving the dog high and dry and ALONE, because they did not establish a routine to gradually leave then alone.
Exercise is very important, a dog should always be well exercised and in a clamer state of mind b4 being left, and stimulating treats left (kong) e,t,c
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Do u know what type of lurcher x he is?
Is his aggression with humans or dogs and did they explain the extent or trigger for the aggression.
 
I have 2 lurchers and a ridgeback - 3 of the best things that have ever happened to me !

We walk for about an hour in the morning, a couple of hours in the afternoon and another hour last thing at night, and all the rest of the time they are either in bed asleep or at the yard with me. As long as they have had a run in the morning, they are more than happy to stay in bed for at least 6 hours.
 
Hi - thanks for all your really positive replies and advice. Bit more information and questions if you don't mind..
CALA - I don't know his exact breeding ..can only be described as a more substantial greyhound. I can't see any bull breed in him (mind, I'm no expert) .. if i was to hazard a guess i'd say collie x. I say that because of his mannerisms and movement..he was quiet twisty turny like a collie (does this make sense?)
His agression is definately with dogs not humans. The shelter said he had just shown some agression to a handful of other dogs and when we walked him he just had a little growl at one other dog (there were quite a few knocking about) wasn't pulling towards them. Didn't offer any explanation or triggers.
Thanks also for your advice on establishing a routine from the word go - will definately go with that
What would everyone recommend regarding feeding? And also any advice regarding insurance companies and type of insurance would be much appreciated.
I'm now off to have a good look round lurchers.org
Many thanks MD
PS - all your dogs look gorgeous - especially Bes (Harry looks a bit like her but a bit thicker coat maybe)
 
Insurance- PETPLAN, fab cover, a little more expensive, but offer lifetime cover.
Food-you will get alot of advice, but basically a good natural based food, no crap like bakers or anything with lots of colour, I use Chudleys working crunch, but I also recommend James well beloved for all our rescues when they are rehomed.

Alot of dogs show lead/dog aggression in a kennel environment, sometimes they are just so frustrated by the environment, dogs barking and goading them through the bars, would def ask if you could take him for a few walks, and of course bals off should help
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I have 4 lurchers and wouldn't have anything else! As long as he gets a good walk before then leaving him for that length of time should be fine and no worse for lurchers than any other breed. Not knowing his background it's hard to say where the aggression comes from but typically stray lurchers have been dumped by travellers or gypsys and he may have had to fight for every mouthful of food and being an unneutered male he's probably been used for breeding and had to compete for that too! This really isn't something that should put you off though as it's quite easy to train out if you get good advice (CALA!)

Collie lurchers can be a bit of a handful as you get the speed of the hound and the brain of the collie (or if you're really unlucky, the speed of a collie and the brain of a hound
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) so get him well trained and get him neutered, 4's not late at all.

Send us pics when you've collected him!
 
I have one lurcher and am in the process of looking for a second one - I don't think I would have a non-pointy dog now.
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He's great to leave and lives happily with our cat but he's quite sharp out and about so I'm careful about anywhere there might be other small, furry, fast moving things about. Make sure you install a very good recall and don't let it slip. I keep meeting people with lurchers/greyhounds that never get off the lead, which isn't a great life for a dog if you don't have somewhere fence for them to run properly.

Mine will fuss a bit when I go out but I leave him fairly regularly and he's fine - just sits and looks out the window. I take him to work and he stays in the car when I'm working with the horses with no problem.

I would second (fourth) the insurance. Every long dog/lurcher owner I know (me included) can list a litany of injuries. A very fast, very extreme dog with no "covering" is asking for trouble . . .

Mine was not a great eater as a youngster and we also have gone with pretty much a meat diet. I do think this is more an issue for "only dogs" but they do seem inclined as a breed to not care overly much about food.

I think they're great dogs but, as said, they come in all types. Hopefully the rescue will be able to give you a bit more information and allow you to get to know the dog better.
 
Lurchers are the best! However they are thieves, especially the ones big enough to see on the kitchen worktops!
Kennel environments can be stressful so the aggression may be something & nothing, as for food I feed my 2 Burns working dog food, and they look fab on it.
 
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However they are thieves, especially the ones big enough to see on the kitchen worktops!
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Oh yes, definately counter hoovers
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Hi again - we've decided to get the lurcher from the rescue (mostly thanks to your positive opinions on them
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) Have just rung the shelter to see if he's had his vet check yet.
I told them that I would want to pick him up on Sat am, given that we need to buy things / prepare etc. However they are not prepared to hold him until them, even if we pay a non-refundable £100 donation asap. Now, I'm no expert but this seems a totally misguided policy ... surely they should be happier that a potential owner is being responsible and taking the time to have things ready rather than just trying to empty kennels. My concerns with this shelter don't end there - we are not required to have a home-check, and whilst we were totally open and honest about our experience and facilities, surely this system is open to abuse. I've noticed that a of other shelters insist on home checks and spend a great amount of effort building networks to avoid such a situation. As I said earlier they haven't neutered the dog and don't have a policy to insist that the owners do so, once rehomed. (although you do get a discount voucher)
All we need is some proof of address and £100, and we could walk away with a dog there and then - seems irresponsible to me.
Anyway, i guess their policies are no real concern for me, just wanted to get it off my chest.
Cheers MD
Note to self - clear worktops from now on!
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Sounds like the bloody pound or a cat and dog shelter then, they are friggin serious
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and NO, they don't really give a sh!t about the dogs, I cannot believe they are charging £100, then u have to vax and neuter
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And they should indeed hold onto the dog for you, we rarely let outr rescues go on a week day, we hang onto them till the weekend to allow people to spend a little time settling them in, we also neuter, vax, chip and insure, all in with the £100 donation we charge.
Rant over
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Do u know how long he has been in?
 
There is also Greyhound Gap (we got Stan from them and know quite a few other dogs from there), Evesham (another one friends have got dogs from) and quite a few other well known greyhound/lurcher rescues with great reputations.

I think maybe everyone's concern is that if the rescue doesn't seem to be too concerned with what's best for the dog long term they may not be too concerned with what's best for you either and possibly might not have been forthcoming with all information about the dog. (Or may simply not have tested or checked the dog in any reliable way.) So you MIGHT be getting more of a problem than it seems. Or not, it's just hard to tell.

Do they give you any support? What is their policy if the dog turns out to have something seriously wrong you don't feel qualified to deal with?
 
Yeah greyhound gap is another good one - Bes was with them before Lurcher Link. She also spent quite a long time in foster so we got plenty of info on her before she came to us even though we don't know how her life was before being picked up as a stray. The support we get from the forum is great too.

Don't know where you are but southern lurcher rescue is another one. We went on a walk with other lurchers owners on Sunday which was fab and great for socialising them:

http://mimsmum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=walkies&action=display&thread=4586&page=5
 
What a shame that even some rescues don't put the needs of the dogs first! Agree with CALA this sounds like a pound rather than a rescue? As in a holding place for the counties strays. They get a certain amount of money for a short period of time then they have to get shot of them asap. Our pound is the same, unneutered and no home checks done, you pay £90 and walk away with a dog
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It's hard if you have set your heart on him to look somewhere else so I'd still go for him 'cos if you don't someone else who hasn't put so much thought into it will .
 
Have had a look at lurcher.org and greyhound gap - and must admit I would feel more comfortable with a dog from one of those guys.....however, I do really like this dog (and i guess it's not his fault that the centre is a shower of *****)
I will though be checking on their support policy - this is probably one of my main concerns ... he came in from the pound in February so little is known of his past and in that shelter they don't have the facility to check his full range of behavouirs, so there is a chance we may have to start from scratch with regards to ..well everything
Could I ask another question ... obviously we will be getting him neutered..is it best to do this ASAP or let the dog settle into a routine for a week or so?

If, for whatever reason, we don't home this particular dog, I'll definately be looking to Lurcher.org or greyhound gap.
 
I have four lurchers from skinny whippet varieties up to quite chunky colliex types. They are they best dogs we've ever had! I've always found them lazy by nature if they can have a good sprint every day! We did have a few probs to start with with one dog who was prone to wandering and chasing but quickly resolved. My colliex was very aggressive towards other dogs, his was identified as territorial behaviour. Got very embarassing to walk him! Had lots of good advice from various trainers and have found a series of fab techniques that work really well for him! I'll happily discuss in detail if you PM me!
 
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