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The doghouse

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Original poster

Rescue lurcher cross

13 replies

weebarra · 30/05/2016 17:34

DH and I are thinking about getting a rescue dog. He grew up with dogs, I didn't but am willing to learn!
I work part-time (17 hrs), he works full time but would normally be able to take the dog with him.
We have three DCs, 8,5 and nearly 3. DH has seen a lurcher cross on a rescue website, 17 months old, apparently good with children BUT needs training and has had a few homes already.
Can people who know tell me what lurchers are normally like, and is several homes for a 17 month old pup a major read flag?
Thanks!

OP posts:
Sucksfake1 · 30/05/2016 17:49

My dad has two. I'm not an expert but the several homes might of been down too the dogs being"worked" poaching lamping etc and dumped due to not being workable.

For what its worth my dad regularly has my daughter 3 and niece 1 and the dogs have always been spot on with them.

mamapants · 30/05/2016 18:14

What cross is it?
We have recently got a lurcher rescue, we've had her about two months now.
Ours is a greyhound/ whippet/ collie mix we think, and she has some characteristics of each.
Lurchers are good family dogs, don't need too much exercise.
Common issues you might come across are chasing animals, recall issues, separation anxiety.
We are working hard on recall and she's really good but some might have to stay on lead at all times or need muzzling.

Sucksfake1 · 30/05/2016 18:19

The only picture I have of them is on my dads bday cake Confused

Agree with PP he won't let either off the lead since the big one started eyeballing a sheep.

mollie123 · 30/05/2016 19:27

do check out what the lurcher (already a cross) is crossed with
it would be a red flag to me to have so many homes in 17 months and be back in rescue. Only take him on if you are going to stick with it - poor dog is probably stressed and confused.
training is a lot of work especially on recall/ small furry proofing especially is the dog has been 'worked'
the collie/greyhound cross for the lurcher is (IMO) the best combination and I have had 2 lurchers in my life who are this combination and they are beautiful lovely gentle dogs and good with people with the caveat re training. Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
weebarra · 30/05/2016 19:46

Above is a pic - any ideas what she might be crossed with?

OP posts:
TheoriginalLEM · 30/05/2016 19:54

there could be gsd in the mix ir birder terrier with those markings.

I think if this is your first dog, i woild think very carefully about taking her on.

lurchers tend to have a high prey drive and can have poor recall. gsd are intelligent yetcan tend to nervousness and any terrier in the mix =high energy and stubborn.

i wouldn't take her on without knowing how she is with small animals. why she was rehomed and why she was returned.

She mightfind family life a bit much if she already has anxiety issues you are letting yourself into a world of stress.

TheoriginalLEM · 30/05/2016 19:55

what does her profile say?

mollie123 · 30/05/2016 20:20

being a bit of a lurcher fanatic - I looked up the rescue web site and there are two more pictures of her which seem to suggest she is quite small for a 'lurch' and would agree either terrier (the colouring) and /or GSD (body formation) in there
go and see her and see how you feel about her. Poor girl - she looks like the right dog for the right home and so badly wants one Sad

Spangletangle · 30/05/2016 20:20

I thought gsd. She is gorgeous but as others have said you need to find out more about her. If you are in Scotland you could try GAL or SGS the greyhound rescues but the have lurchers as well. The advantage of these is they have dogs in foster so they know how they are in family homes. You also get follow up support.

Spangletangle · 30/05/2016 20:23

Lurchers are fantastic family dogs btw. I wouldn't have anything else.

Original poster
weebarra · 30/05/2016 20:50

Thank you all so much for your help and advice! I thought gsd too, and I know nothing. She might not be the right dog for us, but she could well be the right type.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 30/05/2016 22:31

I'd not automatically be put off by several homes... I'd assume, bought on gumtree, sold again once they realised she'd need training and walking, then a couple of people who took her on but still didn't train her and she's now no longer little and cute enough to sell on again. (Obviously she looks lovely, but not a puppy anymore)

So she's now a teenager and pulls on the lead, jumps up at people to greet them and has no recall or commands.

If it's just that sort of stuff, it wouldn't bother me, she's basically a huge puppy and you can start training from scratch.

If it's actually other stuff, that's when you'd need to have a think about whether it's livable with stuff.

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