Airedale cross Saluki/Grey pups update

[skycat 6,174]

Piccy update on the Airedale crosses, about 13 weeks old. You could say that they are interesting! Lena is still mostly sweetness and light, more Airedaly in some ways: uses her nose a lot, always sniffing and exploring new places, now becoming more human orientated having been quite remote and distant when younger. Schuck, the dark side, is lightening her attitude and is very me orientated, loves retrieving anything I throw for her, just like her dam.

Physically, although they look quite similar at the moment, Schucky is more running dog: she does imaginary coursing all by herself, running in vast dodging circles, bum on floor, twisting and turning like she's on the back of a hare. Lena would much rather explore the water's edge and look for scent, but she is more supple jointed and turns better than Schuck at the moment. Schucky air snaps in typical Airedale fashion, when she's told not to do something or when she wants something LOL They do have quite an odd shape to them at the moment, and I can see the Airedale in them when I look hard, but its not something that you are instantly aware of, quite strange considering they are half Airedale.

 

Both are very responsive, aware and mindful of me, my movements: they know when I mean 'No!' and they really like being with me, though Schuck is more willing to please at the moment and returns to my side unasked when we're out, looking up at me just like her dam, wanting a quick fuss before going off again. They've sussed all the nuances of pack structure beautifully and know their place in the scheme of things. Lena is bolder in some ways, like meeting strange dogs in the park, but Schucky is more confident in more physical ways such as trying to jump into the back of the van on her own: she can't quite manage the steps and ends up nose diving into the terrier compartment under the lurcher shelf Lena waits to be picked up and put in the van.

I know its mad to keep both, but I couldn't bear to decide between them: they both go out for a walk on their own several times a week for training purposes, and out with the pack on the days when they don't go solo with me.

A few pics....

[skycat 6,174]

Lena is the red one, Schuck is the black/brindle

 

[sighthound123 31]

They look like nice healthy pups, what are you planning to work them on in the future?

[skycat 6,174]

Schuck retrieves everything at speed

[skycat 6,174]

They look like nice healthy pups, what are you planning to work them on in the future?

 

Whatever they are good at. I do a lot of different things with my dogs: ferreting, lamping, beating, fox control and other stuff as well: so they will get the chance to be introduced to everything when they are ready and whatever they show an aptitude for is what I'll concentrate on. I have no idea what their speed will be like so it really is a case of waiting and seeing!

[beddylurcher 70]

nice read and cracking looking pups

atb with them

[Hannah4181 260]

Oh penny! Even more of an excuse for a trip over now!!

[johnny boy68 11,726]

That red one is striking........credit to you

[Born Hunter 17,907]

Look forward to seeing these come on. Dill was the talk amongst the beaters last saturday, everyone was pleasantly surprised with her.

[Bosun11 537]

Mine would be the B&T but both are bonny Skycat, i really do like the look of 'em, said it when you first posted about the litter, they'll be very handy critters, i'll bet i'm not wrong!

Oh, just to add, they are the healthiest lookin pups i've seen on here to date, keep us posted.

[skycat 6,174]

Look forward to seeing these come on. Dill was the talk amongst the beaters last saturday, everyone was pleasantly surprised with her.

 

Oh B> that it the best news ever! I was quite aprehensive about taking her, as you know, but to be honest she didn't let me down at all, and when she found that pricked duck under the brambles in the water and retrieved it, or tried to LOL straight up through the brambles, I was made up. Just think how much she'll improve this season with going out regularly! I know that she's done quite a few different things so far, but that was the first time she'd been surrounded by so many guns, dogs and people. I'll have to work on her picking up so I can send her out for a dropped bird! She takes to every new task so easily that I know she'll cotton on very quickly especially as she likes retreiving so much. Thank you so much for letting me know that good feedback.

 

Bosun: thanks for the comments:I know deep inside that they'll be handy, but it doesn't do to crow too much before the chicken has actually laid the egg

[Tyla 3,179]

Very nice, sure they'll turn out well for you

[DottyDoo 500]

very nice

[boyo 1,398]

they look cracking penny credit to you. and knowing you they will have shall we say a busy working life .

[hunting reece 0]

the red one is very nce