i collect my rescue lurcher tomorrow - any tips?

[yogabird]

i have 2 dd's and a cat and 2 guinea pigs

no advice to give but how lovely - I'd love a rescue lurcher/greyhound /whippet - I long for one ! good luck !!

Get good trainers.

You will learn to run like the blardy wind.

They go from 0 - 60 in a nanosecond.

Put the cat in her carry case so s/he can meet the dog and feel secure.

did they say anything about chasing cats,btw ?

cat friendly, they will provide a muzzle for me for the cat intro. Cat is currently asleep in Gelert's basket under the table . Need to read the rest of the dog training book tonight!

Gawd...cats and lurchers not a good mix I think, sorry.

they can be- have sen cats and lurchers curled up together in the same basket. It's been cat tested and didn't give chase, was said to be ok but obviously their intro needs carefully managing and dog needs to know he's bottom of the pecking order.

Fair enough. Sounds like you are well aware of potential problems! Good luck tomorrow

Get pet insurance. These types of dogs are always cutting pads or tearing nails in their speed to run about! Not to mention all the other vet bills that any dog can run up!

WE had one for eight years. A gorgeous, gorgeous dog, got on with the cat and was great when we had our children. I still miss her horribly. Now have another rescue dog who is lovely but whenever I see a lurcher ..... We did walk her a lot - she loved the woods and her speed and agility were something to see. She did enjoy rabbiting but never seemed to catch anything. If you can meet up with someone who has a simkilar type of dog and take them to a big, open, safe space they do tend to get huge amounts of exercise too just playing. God, I'm jealous. Good luck and enjoy.

We never had large vet bills. A friend of mine has four and they are all fabulous dogs too - great with her horses and even the odd farm cat. I'll shut up now.

That's what we had, Fio. Collie cross greyhound. Sorry she's old. Ours was 14 when we lost her.

My aunt had a resuce lurcher and had cats, various small mammals and children. All fine.

he's home now and curled up on a blanket on the living room floor. He has met Cookson (cat) and that went ok. He's terribly thin but seems to be settling well and has eaten. DD1 loves him already and they are getting a mutual fan club going - gazing at each other continually! I was very nervous, will i be able to cope but so far so good thanks for all the words of support.

Yogabird, I went on this thread because I'm in a similar position: we lost our dog in May & have just reserved a rescue dog from the RSPCA whom we can pick up on Saturday. I think our cat will be outraged, & we hoep she doesn't go AWOL, like the last one did when we got our last dog.

Sounds as though it's started well in your case & I wish you luck & lots of fun. FWIW, I've read loads of literature saying that greyhounds & lurchers are actually couch potatoes, which certainly surprised me. I think it's a bit like adopting a child: you just have to get to know its individual likes, dislikes &, probably since it's a rescue dog, neuroses.

good luck tomorrow overthehill i do hope it all goes smoothly.
All continues well here, Cookson (cat) and dog are getting more comfortable, cat is staring him down if he comes too close - i think the poor thing only wants to be friends but i'm sure it'll come...unlike the dog who on test in the garden won't come when called but pointedly turns and strides inside i was hoping for a living creature in my house that did as it was told and gazed adoringly at me.. that needs work then! He did show more interest at the fatty bits from last sunday's roast and would come running across the garden for that, but not yet anything like consistently, it's going to be a long haul with the training thing i think, hes' not big on sitting either but, having said that he is gentle and great with dd's and the cat so, we'll see