Rescue lurcher or puppy? And where from?

[tootsietoo]

Hello. I am finally, after not quite getting round to it for a fair few years, getting myself my very own dog. I am pretty much decided that it will be a lurcher, ideally a terrier/whippet I think. But they don't seem to be that easy to find! I have chatted to the local lurcher/greyhound people I know and the hunt terrier man and I am checking the local buy and sell and picked up Countryman's Weekly a few times, but not spotted what I am looking for.

Googling, there are a lot of rescues. What are the pros and cons of rescue v puppy? Having a rescue dog seems the right thing to do, but I'm wary of inheriting problems as I have two small children. Are there any particularly good rescue centres to go to? I'm in the NW/West Mids.

And if anyone has any comments about good crosses or lurchers in general I would be interested!

 

[Hedwards]

I'm completely biased, but Greyhound Rescue West of England (GRWE) are a fantastic organisation, that's where Suzy my lurcher came from almost exactly a year ago. They work incredibly hard matching dogs to adoptees!

I've been volunteering for them doing homechecks across Leicestershire, they will definitely cover west mids/NW.

 

[tootsietoo]

Thanks Hedwards, I did see their stand at a show last year and had a chat, I had forgotten about them. One thing I like about having a rescue dog from a good organisation is that it sounds as if you get a lot of time to chat about what you want, and a lot of help and advice. I grew up with dogs, but this will be the first of my own and it feels like a very big decision!

 

[planete]

Lurcher Link might also be able to help you. Have a look at their website. They foster most of their dogs before rehoming and assess them very carefully before matching them with a new owner. You also get a lot of help and support when needed.

 

[CAYLA]

Ditto lurcher link....I have rehomed a few puppy lurchers from our rescue on there aswell as adults, all have had no issues and all suitable with children. Alot of rescue dogs have little to no issues they where just owned by idiots.
Good luck.

 

[2Greys]

Often the rescues do have puppies in, so that could also be an option though they may not know exactly the mix. Many also use foster homes so the dogs are often well assessed so can match you up with the best dog for your home and an adult dog can be easier with kids as there past the bitey/jumpy stage and don't need quite as much training/socialisation input. Many dogs end up in rescue due to owners circumstances changing.

Along with other suggestions, could also check these out.

http://www.greyhoundgap.com/ is based in stoke with fosterer's all over, seems to do a thorough assessment of its dogs, can be fussier than other rescues but you may fit their homing criteria.

http://www.erinhounds.co.uk/ My friend has just adopted a lurcher from Erin hounds & was very happy with them, based Cheshire way but certainly home as far as midlands.

http://scrupleswhippetrescue.co.uk/ also has some whippet lurchers

http://shropshire.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk/

 

[Montyforever]

Definatly go through a rescue and don't rule out older dogs
I got my greyhound from a RGT rehoming centre when he was 18 months and he still acts like a giant puppy

 

[GinaGem]

I'd recommend Lurcher Link to. We have two from them and have fostered/found homes for a few too. They are all very different but least being fostered you can get a good idea of their personalities and suitablity for your home.

This is one we fostered who is now owned by a friend at work:

This is my nan's dog who came from them:

And another foster who got rehomed by our local post woman:

This is one of our own:

And our other dog:

 

[tootsietoo]

fantastic, thank you for the links and recommendations.

I have heard of some puppies nearby, mother is a bull greyhound, father a whippet. should I have any worries about the little bit of "bull" in there (not sure whether it's pitbull or something else)? what sort of personalities are bull greyhounds?

sirocco, they're lovely pics!

 

[s4sugar]

I would be wary of the purpose these were bred for.

They will be smooth coated so why not get a greyhound as bitch puppies often turn up in rescue?

 

[ladyt25]

From looking at dog rescue sites in our area there seems to be a fair few lurcher/greyhound types on there. A friend of mine (when I say friend, old school friend on FB) has just rehomed an older greyhound recently and she has two young kids. He seems to have settled really well from her updates.