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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Pointy Hound Newbie Here

53 replies

MadCap · 28/03/2018 09:45

This was reposted from another section as I was advised that I might get more response here.

Hello,

We're hopefully (fingers, toes, legs and eyes crossed) adopting a lurcher puppy next week.

I've had rescue puppies when I was growing up, but they were always robust looking lab crosses. Lurchers are so delicate looking that I'm terrified of doing something wrong.

Any helpful advice or pointing to resources on how to rear a lurcher differently than any other mutt would be really appreciated.

Oh and especially helping it integrate with our cat. The dog won't be allowed upstairs as to give the cat her space and the shelter are going to check which puppies will be suitable for cats.

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Original poster
MadCap · 29/03/2018 17:54

Which is lovely for her but 😖 for me.

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Original poster
MadCap · 29/03/2018 17:56

They have a new litter of pups due to be born soon so we'll contact them again soon.

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CMOTDibbler · 29/03/2018 18:09

It's worth following them on FB too as you'll often see the dogs come in on there before they go on the website, and the cat friendly ones do tend to go quickly.

Thank you Onionthebulldog, its lovely to think of EGLR dogs going to Mnetters. One day someone will come to adopt one of my fosters

Re; jumping. We just can't tell about what they might clear. I can tell you if they are an enthusiastic jumper, but I have 6ft walls so have no opportunity to check what they would do. And for rescues that use kennels, they have even less opportunity. Just like I can say if they have anything about them that would rule cats, chickens or children out, but I can't tell you for sure that they will be totally OK - just what they have been like in my house.
We have to err on the side of safety for the dogs and new owners sake. You'd be surprised how many dogs are returned for very minor transgressions

Original poster
MadCap · 29/03/2018 18:28

Thanks CMOT I'll add them to the list of shelters and rescues that I'm following on fb. You've been very helpful. 🌷🌷

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Original poster
MadCap · 08/04/2018 19:20

Hello! I want to tell you all thank you for pointing me in the direction of EGLR. We met the most wonderful lad from them today and pending home checks, he'll be ours.

The pup and my daughter were smitten with each other. I can't wait.

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CMOTDibbler · 08/04/2018 19:38

Oh brilliant, I'm so pleased for you!

Onionthebulldog · 08/04/2018 20:11

Lovely news.

Original poster
MadCap · 08/04/2018 20:40

This gorgeous boy. 😍😍😍

Pointy Hound Newbie Here
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CMOTDibbler · 08/04/2018 21:00

Aww, he's such a lovely boy. I fostered some of his littermates and they were absolutely fabulous pups

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 08/04/2018 21:16

He's beautiful! Looks like a bit of GSD in him, is there?

Original poster
MadCap · 08/04/2018 22:25

He's going to me the making of my dd. She's usually painfully shy and she spoke to his fp without any trouble. STBDdog and Dd were smitten with each other. I'm so so happy.

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Original poster
MadCap · 08/04/2018 22:26

Mum was a lurcher and I don't think they know who dad was.

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CMOTDibbler · 09/04/2018 10:10

Clary said she had LTB and didn't want to name him!

Original poster
MadCap · 09/04/2018 13:23

😂😂 Oh is that mum? Do you know their birthday? I got to see some of his brothers on fb. We had our home check about a half hour ago. All went well! I went shopping this morning for all the paraphernalia. Still looking for cat friendly baby gates that don't cost the earth.

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CMOTDibbler · 09/04/2018 14:16

Yes, that was them when they'd just come in. Their birthday is late November, I can't remember the exact date but it'll be on his vaccination card.
I just use normal baby gates. The cats jump them quite happily. I think our current kitchen one was £20 on Amazon

TangledSlinky · 10/04/2018 13:19

Congratulations! He's such a cutie!

Greyhound mumma here so may not be entirely relevant but don't expect a baby gate to keep a lurcher in/out of an area. Most of the lurchers we saw when looking at dogs had quite the spring in their step (one had had to move pens as he'd worked out how to jump over the 7ft fence with a bit of speed!) and our boy managed to leap the height of our fences (6ft) from standing when a cat appeared on our fenceline.

Also be aware that no work surface will be safe! Our boy will merrily counter surf given the opportunity, often evidenced by a hotch potch of items being hidden in his bed when we return.

The scream of death will chill your blood the first time you hear it...honestly nothing can prepare you for it and you will expect to find limbs hanging off...invariably it'll turn out to be a stubbed toe! Silent injuries are by far the worst...but generally for all their spindliness they're actually pretty hardy (probably more so given your boy is a lurcher depending on what he's crossed with).

As others have mentioned, recall can be patchy and prey drive is generally pretty strong (although this can vary hound to hound). We don't let our boy off lead unless we're in an enclosed area as we know his recall isn't 100% and we have no hope of getting him to pay attention if he spots a rabbit or squirrel as he becomes blinkered to anything else. This is getting better with training, but for some it's nigh on impossible to train a recall response over prey drive.

That said, our boy is the most loving, amazing character and we wouldn't hesitate to have another sighthound in the future. He's super smart and loves to learn new tricks, makes friends with everyone he meets and is generally a pleasure in every way.

Original poster
MadCap · 10/04/2018 22:36

Munchie is coming home with us tomorrow! I hope he loves it here. We're so looking forward to him joining our family.

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BringMeTea · 10/04/2018 23:37

Jealous! Aw, very happy for you. He’s a beaut.

TropicPlunder · 11/04/2018 12:23

He's lovely! (Biased, he looks a bit like mine) hope all goes well, give updates!

Shambolical1 · 11/04/2018 14:06

This is both funny and totally true.

Worth a read to find out what you're getting into, or nod sagely as you have what you've got into confirmed.

greydogtales.com/blog/lurchers-for-beginners/

Shambolical1 · 11/04/2018 14:16

The whole series:

greydogtales.com/blog/lurchers-triumphant-secret-index/

SleightOfMind · 11/04/2018 14:16

Aw congratulations!
Lucky pup sounds like he’s getting a lovely home Smile
My tip, for decent sighthound recall, is to get the book Totall Recall, by Pippa Mattinson, on your phone and work through the steps.
It’s worked a treat on all the ex-racing greys we’ve had and it’s so lovely to be able to have them offlead, zooming around.

Dogs and DCS are so lovely together. I’m sure your DD will get so much out of having her pup.

Wolfiefan · 11/04/2018 14:19

CMOTD
I want a floofy one. My girl would sooooo love a friend (not sure where it would fit!) she's sulking at the mo as we didn't meet any doggy friends on our walk!

Original poster
MadCap · 11/04/2018 17:06

He's tuckered himself out exploring the house and garden. He's a bit stressed but hopefully he'll feel a bit better after his nap.

The kids are being brilliant about letting him settle in. The cat is not impressed.

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CMOTDibbler · 11/04/2018 20:11

He's going to find it stressfull - just keep things nice and calm and help him do the right thing with regular trips outside to toilet and having plenty of his toys to substitute for things he shouldn't have.

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