Thinking of getting a dog ?

[MikeMusic]

Go to your local rescue centre. They have plenty of good guys who need a home.

If you've not had a dog before get prepared and better still get an older dog from that rescue centre, 2 years old plus should do. Puppies are 50% fabulous and 50% total PITA.

Tailor your dog to your life and look out for high energy or intelligent dogs. Could be a bad fit in your home.

A great dog, or 2 or 3 makes home so much better, assuming you or the family are around most of the time. Don't get one if you plan to leave it alone all day long.

Party piece over
Now go get yourself a great dog
:)

[mr sneff]

Hi Mike

We have 3, an 11 year old Lurcher called Bradley who is a rescue dog, we've had him for 10 years, a 4 year old Border Terrier called Pippin who we've had since she was a puppy. And a recent addition, a pug puppy called William who was my wife's reward for getting through her breast cancer treatment. I totally get where you're coming from with puppies being 50% PITA, William fluctuates between being the cutest thing ever and Spawn of Beelzebub! Dogs are great companions to have around, though not if you're going to leave them for long periods. They can be a tie, but the pleasure of having them around far outweighs the downsides. We're sociable hermits so it's not a problem for us :)

[MikeMusic]

Hi Mike

We have 3, an 11 year old Lurcher called Bradley who is a rescue dog, we've had him for 10 years, a 4 year old Border Terrier called Pippin who we've had since she was a puppy. And a recent addition, a pug puppy called William who was my wife's reward for getting through her breast cancer treatment. I totally get where you're coming from with puppies being 50% PITA, William fluctuates between being the cutest thing ever and Spawn of Beelzebub! Dogs are great companions to have around, though not if you're going to leave them for long periods. They can be a tie, but the pleasure of having them around far outweighs the downsides. We're sociable hermits so it's not a problem for us :)
Will be older rescue dogs for us from now on
So much easier to fit in
We had Rosie, a JR Cross (probably Staffie) from a pup. Great fit until a few months old then horrific fights between her and Nellie an older JR. Rosie has settled down a lot now, but is still fear aggressive at times. You can see so much more with an older dog and it makes more sense to take on an older one for us.
We're much the same. I far prefer to be at home than go out anywhere, listening to music top of the list !
:)

[mr sneff]

Will be older rescue dogs for us from now on
So much easier to fit in
We had Rosie, a JR Cross (probably Staffie) from a pup. Great fit until a few months old then horrific fights between her and Nellie an older JR. Rosie has settled down a lot now, but is still fear aggressive at times. You can see so much more with an older dog and it makes more sense to take on an older one for us.
We're much the same. I far prefer to be at home than go out anywhere, listening to music top of the list !
:)

We won't have another puppy, this one is much harder work than the Border Terrier ever was.
We had a rescue dog a Collie/Spaniel cross, a beautiful looking dog but with such bad fear aggression he made life absolutely miserable for the Lurcher. He had to go back to the rescue centre, but, give them credit they eventually got him trained as a sniffer dog for explosives with the Army. He got sent to Afghanistan where he sniffed out a huge bomb on a military base, saving thousands of lives.

[walpurgis]

I've had my eight year old rescued Lurcher (Tippy) nearly a year and a half. He is a lovely sweet natured dog and adores my grand daughters who live with me. He likes other dogs, but won't let them bully him. I got him about a year after my previous collie cross had to be put down due to cancer. I can't imagine a house without a nice pooch in it, it just seems so empty without one. Tippy bonded with me immediately and goes everywhere I go, following round the home all the time. He was the first dog I looked at after deciding to get another and I got him from a dog re-homer. I was lucky to find such a nice animal immediately.

http://i42.tinypic.com/dwp1rb.jpg

[MikeMusic]

We won't have another puppy, this one is much harder work than the Border Terrier ever was.
We had a rescue dog a Collie/Spaniel cross, a beautiful looking dog but with such bad fear aggression he made life absolutely miserable for the Lurcher. He had to go back to the rescue centre, but, give them credit they eventually got him trained as a sniffer dog for explosives with the Army. He got sent to Afghanistan where he sniffed out a huge bomb on a military base, saving thousands of lives.
Brilliant
Like Cesar Millan says you can save all (99.9%) dogs.
Our fear aggressive Rosie could do lots of clever things I'm sure, does even, but we've mostly sorted her now.
Rosie came from Old Windsor/Battersea Dogs home as the puppy attraction was too much - should have had an older dog

[MikeMusic]

I've had my eight year old rescued Lurcher (Tippy) nearly a year and a half. He is a lovely sweet natured dog and adores my grand daughters who live with me. He likes other dogs, but won't let them bully him. I got him about a year after my previous collie cross had to be put down due to cancer. I can't imagine a house without a nice pooch in it, it just seems so empty without one. Tippy bonded with me immediately and goes everywhere I go, following round the home all the time. He was the first dog I looked at after deciding to get another and I got him from a dog re-homer. I was lucky to find such a nice animal immediately.

http://i42.tinypic.com/dwp1rb.jpg

A great fit. Fabulous

[Kember]

I would agree about the virtues of rescue and about older dogs. I've had many dogs but not since my early twenties.

Then, after I set up on my own, we took on a 12 year old Norwegian Elkhound from the Elkhound Rescue Fund people (on Google) in January after almost thirty dog-free years - that's how long it took to persuade my wife that a dog was an adornment, rather than a pain. I really would not look back, and nor incidentally would she.

The adoption procedure was more exacting than for a child but the Fund really makes sure that people and dogs are suited to each other and they are very good at highlighting the challenges as well as the rewards of this breed.

He bonded with us very quickly, is calm and very friendly and is a delight to have around. He also gets me out of the house three times a day and keeps my weight in check. Not too big, not too small, he will take all the exercise you can throw at him all day long and can equally snooze all day long. He is clean and as well disciplined as these strong minded and independent dogs get.

The advantages of having the older dog have already been stated but I started from a different perspective: my dog had been in kennels for over a year because his pervious owner had been ill and had then died. It just broke my heart to think he would see his days out like that, unless someone like me took him on, despite the obvious kindness and care shown him by the Fund.

I can truthfully say I have enjoyed every day with him and never had a moment's regret about taking him on.

Peter

[Oldpinkman]

Lovely thread, even if just before Christmas may be the time to remind folk a dog is for life and not Christmas. I have rescued a few in my time (former girlfriend was an RSPCA worker in a rescue centre, so it was hard not to). I ran a dog food franchise for a time, and was both trained by and propped up more than a few bars with Peter Neville, perhaps the leading behavioural specialist (and Robin Walker, a wonderfully amusing vet).

Of my 2 German Shepherds, again seen guarding an SL1200 and demonstrating their dubious priorities, Rommel the Black and Tan dog was a "part rescue" - he had been returned to his breeder and so came to us as an older pup. Complete dollop - no issues ever, Real gentleman. Like all Shepherd very bright, but sooo laid back. (He was called Rommel by his first family and we stuck with it - few interesting moments with some people)

Keisha - the sable bitch, is a true rescue from UK German Shepherd Rescue - a wonderful charity. Even though she was my 5th GS, I had bred 3 litters of GS, I had worked with dogs, including helping the RSPCA (who I, like many others, fell out with) the rescue homers were reluctant to let me have her. She was 24 weeks when we went to see her at her foster home, and sat in a corner of the kitchen barking "aggressively" (read nervously). Her former owners had tried hard, bought a house with a garden, hired 2 behavioural experts referred by their vet (has to be a veterinary referral for aggression) and had given her up to UKGSDR as an alternative to the professional recommendation that there was "nothing that can be done with her apart from have her put to sleep". We had questions like "what will you do when visitors come" and "how will you deal with her in public". To shorten the story a lot, she comes to the pub with us, came on the first day we had her to rugby training, and although still sometimes inclined to give a "who are you" bark to strangers, will accept my reassurance, and is soon pestering them to play with her rope. She is so affectionate she almost presses through you when she presses against you. Gorgeous girl. A few photos I think (sorry haven't figured how to shrink them, and have to put dinner on)

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t582/oldpinkman/DSC_0007_zps90251e76.jpg (http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/oldpinkman/media/DSC_0007_zps90251e76.jpg.html)

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t582/oldpinkman/DSC_01642_zps8f9a528c.jpg (http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/oldpinkman/media/DSC_01642_zps8f9a528c.jpg.html)

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t582/oldpinkman/DSC_01622_zpsf9674386.jpg (http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/oldpinkman/media/DSC_01622_zpsf9674386.jpg.html)

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t582/oldpinkman/DSC_0180_zpsca247161.jpg (http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/oldpinkman/media/DSC_0180_zpsca247161.jpg.html)

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t582/oldpinkman/NewImage0006_zps87b20b4d.jpg (http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/oldpinkman/media/NewImage0006_zps87b20b4d.jpg.html)

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t582/oldpinkman/DSC_0201_zps353ed8e3.jpg (http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/oldpinkman/media/DSC_0201_zps353ed8e3.jpg.html)

[archiesdad]

Archie is our 3rd airedale and the second rescue, he was hard work for quite a while but really worth it, he some kind of character.

[lurcher]

Worth mentioning that most rescues have a web presence as well, so if you take on a rescue dont think you will be on your own. Rescue dogs will offten come with baggage that will need coping with, but that makes it all the more worthwhile. Just about all rescues will also asses the potential owners for their suitability, so even if you decide you must have a certain dog and they say no, they will have both your interests in mind. It does no one any good (certainly not the dog) for it to be re-homed and then come back to the rescue three months later.

[southall-1998]

Hate them. Dumb smelly things !!

[Effem]

Hate them. Dumb smelly things !!

Women?

JOKE :lol:

[southall-1998]

Women?

JOKE :lol:

Both Dogs and women actually!

[MikeMusic]

It just broke my heart to think he would see his days out like that, unless someone like me took him on, despite the obvious kindness and care shown him by the Fund.

I can truthfully say I have enjoyed every day with him and never had a moment's regret about taking him on.

Peter

Difficult for me to walk around any rescue place as I'd take the lot given half a chance.
It's great to liberate a long stay

[MikeMusic]

propped up more than a few bars with Peter Neville, perhaps the leading behavioural specialist

I know Peter. Sold him my old hifi set up when I moved to the Linn / Naim set up !
Nice guy.
So many dogs have 'problems' that just aren't, or they can be sorted.
Watching The Dog whisperer was a big eye opener for me

[MikeMusic]

Archie is our 3rd airedale and the second rescue, he was hard work for quite a while but really worth it, he some kind of character.

I think it's hard to put over how different dogs can be and what they bring to the party

[MikeMusic]

Worth mentioning that most rescues have a web presence as well, so if you take on a rescue dont think you will be on your own. Rescue dogs will offten come with baggage that will need coping with, but that makes it all the more worthwhile. Just about all rescues will also asses the potential owners for their suitability, so even if you decide you must have a certain dog and they say no, they will have both your interests in mind. It does no one any good (certainly not the dog) for it to be re-homed and then come back to the rescue three months later.
Quite.
Got to be serious - unlike some people buying puppies then outing them when they realise what a pain they can be.
We went to Battersea to take a long stay off their hands. Virtually blind Staffie. Assumed it was a formality. Took 3 of our dogs along to check and, long story short were turned down as our dogs were regarded as having behavioural issues ! - because given the choice they went close to Sally and they barked when a boisterous Staffie came up to them.
I think the 'no kill' at Battersea gets in their way and they hand onto dogs when they could go.
Made a big deal about him going blind. We would have looked after him as would the 5 other dogs.
Put me off Battersea, but I pretty sure Old Windsor won't be so precious, plus we have a local centre as well as the RSPCA loca

[Oldpinkman]

Archie is our 3rd airedale and the second rescue, he was hard work for quite a while but really worth it, he some kind of character.

Lovely dogs. As a kid I used to walk an Airedale called Rufus for a mum with young children who couldn't manage. Very fond memories. All the Airdales I knew have loads of energy. A friend had one he used to share his vindaloo with every friday night - which wasn't in the dog feeding guidance I was taught! :)

[Oldpinkman]

Quite.
Got to be serious - unlike some people buying puppies then outing them when they realise what a pain they can be.
We went to Battersea to take a long stay off their hands. Virtually blind Staffie. Assumed it was a formality. Took 3 of our dogs along to check and, long story short were turned down as our dogs were regarded as having behavioural issues ! - because given the choice they went close to Sally and they barked when a boisterous Staffie came up to them.
I think the 'no kill' at Battersea gets in their way and they hand onto dogs when they could go.
Made a big deal about him going blind. We would have looked after him as would the 5 other dogs.
Put me off Battersea, but I pretty sure Old Windsor won't be so precious, plus we have a local centre as well as the RSPCA loca

RSPCA experiences vary enormously from one centre to another, but don't hold your breath about them being any more open than battersea - and they don't have a "no kill" policy. The RSPCA are, I believe, the biggest killer of dogs in the country, and would rather put down than let go to an unsuitable home. I speak as an "unsuitable home" turned down by the RSPCA, although there was a lot of politics in that (my aforementioned girlfriend fell out with the self important local head of station when she objected to manifest spiteful bullying and was forced to resign the job she loved. The woman in question was a well known bully, but powerful in an organisation which spent millions on its lavish headquarters). Best I stop there. I prefer animal charities like the independent rescues such as UKGSDR. :cool:

[MikeMusic]

RSPCA experiences vary enormously from one centre to another, but don't hold your breath about them being any more open than battersea - and they don't have a "no kill" policy. The RSPCA are, I believe, the biggest killer of dogs in the country, and would rather put down than let go to an unsuitable home. I speak as an "unsuitable home" turned down by the RSPCA, although there was a lot of politics in that (my aforementioned girlfriend fell out with the self important local head of station when she objected to manifest spiteful bullying and was forced to resign the job she loved. The woman in question was a well known bully, but powerful in an organisation which spent millions on its lavish headquarters). Best I stop there. I prefer animal charities like the independent rescues such as UKGSDR. :cool:
My mate Mick is scathing about the RSPCA. Won’t even tell me what it was that wound him up. He’s a multiple dog owner, currently with around 5 I think. Not so much in touch now as he moved to France.
Our episode with Battersea really surprised us. Here was a dog that was a no hoper, been there 2 years, virtually blind. We were way too open and should have picked the dogs we took along. Our 2 oldies then would have been more interested in sleeping than much else.
The other half keeps saying we must get another dog. I keep looking over our local
http://www.dogsinneed.co.uk/gallery.html
take a look at Sox, top left................
A real cutie, you may find you have to take him on :)

[MikeMusic]

I'd never even thought about low/medium and high energy dogs until Cesar mentioned it

Here's Low energy - what most people ought to go for
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/exerciselow.htm

[Oldpinkman]

I'd never even thought about low/medium and high energy dogs until Cesar mentioned it

Here's Low energy - what most people ought to go for
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/exerciselow.htm

Both Great Danes and Greyhounds are two, not very obvious, calm dogs, with simple exercise needs. The obvious issues to watch are Great Danes cost a fortune to feed, and are a bit bulky to transport / house (although I knew one curled up in the back of a Fiesta). The only real problem with Greyhounds is letting them off the lead. But if you want to rescue dogs, there are SOOOO many greyhounds needing homes. They are almost always docile and gentle (not very bright - too thick to "sit") and don't cost much to feed, shed few hairs. But you can just about never really train them well enough to let off a lead.

For a first dog a "bitzer" is always favourite. I couldn't really recommend German Shepherds until you have some experience, and are prepared to ensure they get exercise.

Don't try getting me to get another dog Mike. I get a link a day from Sue. Until we know what we are doing about moving to France, i don't think it is responsible :(

[MikeMusic]

Both Great Danes and Greyhounds are two, not very obvious, calm dogs, with simple exercise needs. The obvious issues to watch are Great Danes cost a fortune to feed, and are a bit bulky to transport / house (although I knew one curled up in the back of a Fiesta). The only real problem with Greyhounds is letting them off the lead. But if you want to rescue dogs, there are SOOOO many greyhounds needing homes. They are almost always docile and gentle (not very bright - too thick to "sit") and don't cost much to feed, shed few hairs. But you can just about never really train them well enough to let off a lead.

For a first dog a "bitzer" is always favourite. I couldn't really recommend German Shepherds until you have some experience, and are prepared to ensure they get exercise.

Don't try getting me to get another dog Mike. I get a link a day from Sue. Until we know what we are doing about moving to France, i don't think it is responsible :(
What horrifies me abut Great Danes is the lifespan, 7 years I believe
Can 99% guarantee exercise every single day. I'm thinking small and calm. Wire haired mini Dachs would be good :)
3 dogs instead of 2 ?
Not a lot of difference if a good fit in the pack

[Ali Tait]

Nick and his other half run a Lurcher rescue organisation, website is here -

http://www.lurcher.org/kaye/LurcherLinkwebpages/Lurcherlinkfrontpage.html

[MikeMusic]

Nick and his other half run a Lurcher rescue organisation, website is here -

http://www.lurcher.org/kaye/LurcherLinkwebpages/Lurcherlinkfrontpage.html
Thanks. Knew that but had forgotten !
I'd like a different Long Dog - Dachsie, Mini Wire Hair even, but a Lurcher is a possibility as the other half has mentioned Lurchers before - as well as quite a few others !

[Effem]

Both Great Danes and Greyhounds are two, not very obvious, calm dogs, with simple exercise needs. The only real problem with Greyhounds is letting them off the lead. But if you want to rescue dogs, there are SOOOO many greyhounds needing homes. They are almost always docile and gentle (not very bright - too thick to "sit") and don't cost much to feed, shed few hairs. But you can just about never really train them well enough to let off a lead.

For a first dog a "bitzer" is always favourite. I couldn't really recommend German Shepherds until you have some experience, and are prepared to ensure they get exercise.

Don't try getting me to get another dog Mike. I get a link a day from Sue. Until we know what we are doing about moving to France, i don't think it is responsible :(

Greyhounds are the ultimate couch potatoes and they can go from 0 to 45mph to get onto one :lol: They only need one walk a day for exercise ( A blessing right now with my busted foot) and they are not expensive to feed really.

They can be let off the lead and walk perfectly by your side the whole time UNLESS they spot a rabbit or a cat and then ZOOOOOOOOOM the training and instinct clicks in, they take off like the proverbial bat out of hell and you can shout yourself hoarse to call them back as they have totally forgotten who you are for that moment.

11155

Jazz the boy dog (Greyhound/Saluki cross) just after we got him - he has put on some decent weight since - of ours is hardly ever on a lead away from a public/busy road and yes he will chase a rabbit but once the chase is over he comes straight back on command. Both of our Greyhounds sit on command 100% and we have trained them to have all four feet wiped with a towel when it's wet outside, one foot at a time counted off in numbers too, so saying that they are too stupid to be trained is bollox. Bear in mind too we have probably had around 200 ex-racing Greyhounds through our house as foster dogs before being permanently homed.

This was a gorgeous little girl we had for a while who was homed close to where we lived. Very intelligent bright dog.

11156

And Jennie our own girl dog who arrived as a rescue and foster but never left! This photo was taken after the one below and you can see that she can't put her right rear foot fully down - still the same now 3 years on.

11157

Two weeks after signing the papers, she collided with a tree when chasing a rabbit and smashed her hock off :( Eight weeks bandaged up and I was lugging her EVERYWHERE, up and down 2 flights of stairs too to the garden and upstairs at night. Don't ask what the vet's bill was :eek:

11158

[lurcher]

I think the 'no kill' at Battersea gets in their way and they hand onto dogs when they could go.

The problem is (and we have found this again and again over the years) the problems that can be caused by the wrong home for a dog far outweigh the problem of holding onto that dog for a bit longer. In terms of upset for the dog, people falling out, bad words on the internet and financial cost (vet bills etc).


and you can shout yourself hoarse to call them back as they have totally forgotten who you are for that moment.

Its not that they have forgotten who you are, they just can't hear you, once the prey drive kicks in they just cant hear you, everything else is turned off, they will run through barbed wire, break legs, and just keep going.

[Effem]

The problem is (and we have found this again and again over the years) the problems that can be caused by the wrong home for a dog far outweigh the problem of holding onto that dog for a bit longer. In terms of upset for the dog, people falling out, bad words on the internet and financial cost (vet bills etc).


Time after time when we did the home check for new owners they would tell us what they THOUGHT we wanted to hear and a week later it had all gone pear shaped and back the dog came. Totally heartbreaking because of people's dishonesty.



Its not that they have forgotten who you are, they just can't hear you, once the prey drive kicks in they just cant hear you, everything else is turned off, they will run through barbed wire, break legs, and just keep going.

One of our favourite foster dogs went to an ideal home and it really was a perfect match. Bumped into the couple six months later and no dog with them. They said the week before she chased after a rabbit and broke her neck when she collided with some stock fencing. Poor people were devastated.

[MikeMusic]

The problem is (and we have found this again and again over the years) the problems that can be caused by the wrong home for a dog far outweigh the problem of holding onto that dog for a bit longer. In terms of upset for the dog, people falling out, bad words on the internet and financial cost (vet bills etc).

I should have given more detail. We've had dogs for many years with all sorts of problems which have been sorted.
The dog causing most of the problems was Rosie, JR cross - who came from Battersea as a puppy ironically.
We took the most contentious dogs so we could see interaction.
Seemed fine if robust outlook required, to us and we know Rosie takes a while to get used to new dogs. Having had Sally's kids both bring their new dogs to visit for days on end.
Sid (I think it was) was far too full of youth to give a stuff about Rosie and we would keep her in check if/when required.
Going further back.. We spoke to Old Windsor when we had the start of the war between Rosie, growing up and Nellie, much older JR.
They said they would take her back but we wanted to try for longer, as we did.
Root cause seemed to be Sally having ME and having some very bad days, which the dog(s) picked up on - we think.
As soon as she changed her ways and pointed out she was actually in charge 90% of the problems went away.
Many episodes of Cesar and some common sense seem to work.
We had already made the difficult decision: Sid was going to be a dog we had to put more time and care into. I was moved by him having been in Battersea for 2 years and not enjoying life much. We then had 5 dogs and a 6th was not going to change life that much.
Took the wind out of our sails to be told he was not for you.
Speaking to someone else we knew at Battersea after the event they apologised profusely and hoped we would be back to see them again.

BTW
One reason I haven't wanted to take on a greyhound is the amount of wildlife we have around here and the hunting instincts of the combined pack of 2 JRs and a greyhound would not be good for rabbits, deer and all sorts

[MikeMusic]

Time after time when we did the home check for new owners they would tell us what they THOUGHT we wanted to hear and a week later it had all gone pear shaped and back the dog came. Totally heartbreaking because of people's dishonesty.

Our trouble was total and complete openness and the assumption that we were going to check Sid over, not them us
Add to that the over sensitivity of the 'behavourists' and there you go.

[lurcher]

I should have given more detail. We've had dogs for many years with all sorts of problems which have been sorted.
The dog causing most of the problems was Rosie, JR cross - who came from Battersea as a puppy ironically.
We took the most contentious dogs so we could see interaction.
Seemed fine if robust outlook required, to us and we know Rosie takes a while to get used to new dogs. Having had Sally's kids both bring their new dogs to visit for days on end.
Sid (I think it was) was far too full of youth to give a stuff about Rosie and we would keep her in check if/when required.
Going further back.. We spoke to Old Windsor when we had the start of the war between Rosie, growing up and Nellie, much older JR.
They said they would take her back but we wanted to try for longer, as we did.
Root cause seemed to be Sally having ME and having some very bad days, which the dog(s) picked up on - we think.
As soon as she changed her ways and pointed out she was actually in charge 90% of the problems went away.
Many episodes of Cesar and some common sense seem to work.
We had already made the difficult decision: Sid was going to be a dog we had to put more time and care into. I was moved by him having been in Battersea for 2 years and not enjoying life much. We then had 5 dogs and a 6th was not going to change life that much.
Took the wind out of our sails to be told he was not for you.
Speaking to someone else we knew at Battersea after the event they apologised profusely and hoped we would be back to see them again.

BTW
One reason I haven't wanted to take on a greyhound is the amount of wildlife we have around here and the hunting instincts of the combined pack of 2 JRs and a greyhound would not be good for rabbits, deer and all sorts

Yep, What Lurcher Link does is have a group of volunteers who do a home visit with the people thinking about re-homing (we re-home all over the country) they have a bunch of stock questions and normally take along a steady old girl of a lurcher to see how they get on. Often the problem is physical, what most people would regard as a entirely fenced guarded a lurcher would regard as a low hurdle. The biggest problem is often small kids. Most lurchers are great with kids, but many kids dont know about how to treat dogs, so even the most docile of animal will be pushed to a warning grown if kids are allowed to maul them, the parents panic (they should have stopped it happening in the first place). That gives that dog a "danger to kids" rep, and makes re-homing the next time so much harder. You might find a older hound was a good match for JRT's they will spend more time in front of the fire than rushing through the wood.

[MikeMusic]

Yep, What Lurcher Link does is have a group of volunteers who do a home visit with the people thinking about re-homing (we re-home all over the country) they have a bunch of stock questions and normally take along a steady old girl of a lurcher to see how they get on. Often the problem is physical, what most people would regard as a entirely fenced guarded a lurcher would regard as a low hurdle. The biggest problem is often small kids. Most lurchers are great with kids, but many kids dont know about how to treat dogs, so even the most docile of animal will be pushed to a warning grown if kids are allowed to maul them, the parents panic (they should have stopped it happening in the first place). That gives that dog a "danger to kids" rep, and makes re-homing the next time so much harder. You might find a older hound was a good match for JRT's they will spend more time in front of the fire than rushing through the wood.

Couldn't be too sure as these 2 JRs are persuasive.
Rosie is fine on her own.
When Lucy gets off her extended lead she can be anywhere within, perhaps 3 miles and when Lucy goes she takes Rosie with her so that's the 2 of them gone.
They kill rabbits, not good for me being card carrying veggie, Rosie hates squirrels with a passion and I think cats too.
Mix that with a bigger dog and the mixed abilities and strengths and I think there is a great little killing team going far and wide into gardens and farms around.

[MikeMusic]

and some advantages of an older dog

http://www.care2.com/causes/10-reasons-why-you-should-adopt-an-elderly-animal.html

[MikeMusic]

As of today we have 2 more dogs
Take a look at bottom right
http://www.dogsinneed.co.uk/gallery.html

Jack Russell / Chihuahau cross
:eek:
I may need my head examining, but they do seem a nice little pair
Just for fun we are also looking after 2 other dogs so we have 7 right now......
:mental:

[Ninanina]

Gismo and Lily look lovely. Im sure they will turn out just fine :D

[MikeMusic]

Gismo and Lily look lovely. Im sure they will turn out just fine :D
We had a reasonable time with our existing 3 for a test walk on leads.
Then we had a couple of major battles which we managed to stop
They are small but ready to stand up for themselves. Think the life in kennels may have got their karma twisted up.
Sweet little guys I like them a lot already