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The doghouse

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Original poster

6 month old lurcher pup - should we go for it

26 replies

jumpyjan · 26/03/2011 19:08

Following my previous thread asking for suggestions for a suitable breed of dog for us we have today been to see a lurcher pup at the blue cross.

He is nearly 6 months old - spent his life in the care of the blue cross and is very sweet. He was very interested in us but he did cry a bit and was a bit nervous but he seemed ok with the children (2 & 4) and was lovely looking..... but am a bit concerned about how much work it is going to be training a dog of that age and I want to be sure he is going to be good with the kids (we will of course supervise but want to make sure they are not going to get bitten).

Am a dog owning virgin so am not sure whether to take this opportunity and go for it or think about it some more.

Any lurcher owners out there?

OP posts:
rainbowinthesky · 26/03/2011 19:09

Please dont do it. You dont sound ready or experienced enough. I am amazed they would give it to you tbh.

QuincyMincemeat · 26/03/2011 19:21

I adopted a 6 month old lurcher from Lurcher Link. I'm not an experienced lurcher owner.

my dog had been in foster home since he was a couple of months old, so we knew how he was around cats, kids etc. Ds was 2 when we got him.

It's been really difficult, but with loads of reading and support (the doghouse on here is fab) we are finally getting there with training and recall etc.

He is a fantastic dog, super patient with dc's. has been worth the effort.

BUT it has been a real slog, and quite a shock to the system. (not quite as much of a shock as having kids, but close).

I don't know how you could assess how a dog is around kids if it's been in a rescue. Can you do visits and maybe foster for a trial period?

Original poster
jumpyjan · 26/03/2011 19:22

Why are you amazed? I am just being realistic about whats going to be involved and trying to make a decision. My husband is an experienced dog owner and the Blue Cross saw how the dog was with us and what sort of a life we could offer it and were perfectly happy.

OP posts:
QuincyMincemeat · 26/03/2011 19:24

what cross is your pup? mines greyhound with bull terrier. pic on profile.

Original poster
jumpyjan · 26/03/2011 19:26

Thanks Quincy what you are saying is very much what a friend (who is a vet) has advised - that it will be very hard work but incredibly rewarding.

The Blue Cross warned that there could be some sleepless nights so we are very much going into it with our eyes wide open.

To be honest we can live with all that stuff and the training will be fun (if not hard work) its mainly how the dog will be with the kids - the signs are good and everyone seems to think that Lurchers are good with kids but I guess there are no guarantees with any dog.

How long have you had your lurcher for now?

OP posts:
rainbowinthesky · 26/03/2011 19:27

You said you are a dog owning virgin and are concerned how much work it's going to be. You also have a 2 and a 4 year old. That's why I am amazed.

cookielove · 26/03/2011 19:29

QuincyMincemeat your pup is sooooo cute Grin

QuincyMincemeat · 26/03/2011 19:32

he's been with us for 6 months. we're just getting brave enough to let him off lead in very controlled environment, his recall is coming along a treat.

Lurcher Link is worth a look, the forum is great for advice.

I'll admit, there were many times when we questioned what the hell we were doing, but kept on going with the knowledge that he is going to be a fantastic family dog when he's grown up and calmed down!

Original poster
jumpyjan · 26/03/2011 19:33

Quincy - he is gorgeous.

We saw his mum and she looked Saluki but his siblings look Greyhound.

OP posts:
QuincyMincemeat · 26/03/2011 19:34

thank you cookie Grin.

he's a lot bigger now.

cookielove · 26/03/2011 19:35

I bet he is still really cute

QuincyMincemeat · 26/03/2011 19:37

oh wow. so he's going to be a BIG boy. I heard Saluki's are a bit snooty/neurotic! Grin.

Go for it. If you need any support or someone to whinge at feel free to PM me.

QuincyMincemeat · 26/03/2011 19:39

cookie he is rather lovely. must do up to date pic on profile

Original poster
jumpyjan · 26/03/2011 19:42

Thanks Quincy. DH has made his mind up so its just down to me now.

OP posts:
QuincyMincemeat · 26/03/2011 19:46

ooh. exciting. let us know what you decide

UnseenAcademicalMum · 26/03/2011 21:48

Watching with interest. We have just adopted a year old whippet from the RSPCA and have children of similar ages (almost 3 years old, but v. small for age and 6 years old).

In our case, the dog appears to have had some basic obiedence training and is house trained, which takes quite a bit of the work away. However, mixing dogs with young children is always nerve wracking, so I'm interested to hear how you get on, as someone in the same boat iyswim.

silentcatastrophe · 27/03/2011 15:55

I've found that it's always quite a shock having another being living in the house! Our first dog was a border collie. I had expected to come home with something 'safe' like a gundog'ish sort of thing, but no, the rescue said that the bc bitch would be perfect for us. Now we have 3 bcs and their personalities are quite different and they come with a different lot of issues to deal with.

I can absolutely understand that it is a good idea to try to put you off getting a dog if you are not absolutely committed! 6 months old is quite a good age in lots of ways, but if you decide to go for it, please stick with it come hell or high water. There are lots of good trainers out there, and good advice. It can get quite expensive, not just food and insurance and things, but when you find your posh shoes have been chewed irrepearably and childrens toys have bits missing and teeth marks all over them.

Dog magazines are full of helpful information. I think younger dd has just left the door open and pup has run off so must go and tempt him back with games and sausages!

Original poster
jumpyjan · 27/03/2011 21:50

Thanks for all the posts yesterday. We have decided to go for it Smile We went up to see him for a longer visit today and he was really pleased to see us and much more confident (a little too much at times!) no crying or whining. We have a lot of work to do with him - first on the list toilet training and stopping him from jumping up.

We had a really good chat with the Blue Cross staff and got some excellent advice - its all sounds pretty much like bringing up children really!

Now we just need to see who's choice of name wins - mine or DD's (I know who my money is on!)

I am sure I will chat with you all again in the doghouse when I am looking for tips and advice.

Thanks all.

OP posts:
MotherJack · 27/03/2011 22:28

He sounds fab Jumpyjan, and great you are putting in the work beforehand.

My son has been around a greyhound/bull terrier cross for a lot of his life. She was a bit "mental" to start with but that wasn't helped by her owner and she calms down drastically around me, but even as Grade A nutter she has always loved my son and been gentle around him (I think he would have been around 2 or 3 when she first met him). Now she is aged 5 or 6 we have her as a lodger from time to time and she loves to snuggle up with my him. She is such a gentle soul. Where I go walking we often meet up with a male grey/saluki x lurcher and they have an absolute whale of a time bombing around together.

QuincyMincemeat · 28/03/2011 08:49

Oh how exciting jumpyjan

Your dogs are absolutlely gorgeous MotherJack. Am soooo tempted to get a rescue Staffie, they are brilliant dogs.

MotherJack · 28/03/2011 18:48

They certainly are, Quincy. Smile Your lurcher would be hardy enough to play with one too as they are very robust in play... and if not they can run like the wind!!

QuincyMincemeat · 28/03/2011 19:02

yy we've met loads of staffies at puppy park, and they play in a very similar way. They are my dogs most favourite play pals!

BornThisWayBaby · 28/03/2011 20:02

Good luck with the training, I have a staff pup and its definately similar to bringing up a child!

MotherJack · 28/03/2011 22:26

Oooohhh.... rescue one, Quincy. They need homes.

Make sure you don't get one that distinguishes accents though

BornThisWayBaby · 28/03/2011 23:37

Blush at mother jack