What do you look for in a lurcher pup and why?

[cdnhastings 23]

pretty straight forward questions I think... Im not second guessing anyone that I have talked to in the past about this, just fleshing the topic out a bit more. I dont own a lurcher now, never have. Ive worked with only one collie lurcher and she was grown when I first saw her. What physical cues do you look for in a keeper? What physical cues do you steer away from? same questions apply to a lurcher pups disposition , whats good , whats bad ?

[skycat 6,174]

The pup should be:

 

Well reared: plump, bright clean eyes, ears, soft coat (not stary or harsh to the touch), no pot belly or stick insect legs (doesn't matter what breed or type your'e talking about), nice round feet, not long straggly toes. Anything over 6 weeks old should have plenty of knuckle (the knobbly bones on the wrists), clean a*rse (no sign of diarrhoea), proper bite. In most lurcher pups the top front teeth should very slightly overlap those on the bottom jaw, but only by a millimetre or so.

 

Conformation: depends on the breeding, and only someone more experienced (not being nasty) will be able to judge if the shape is right for the type. Obvious things: all pups should look broad in the chest: anything too narrow or spindly as a pup will turn out way too narrow. Best thing is to see the parents: if they are right then you have a better chance of the pup being right.

 

Temperament: bright, inquisitive, wanting to meet you, though unsocialised pups won't behave like this at all, but huddle in a corner and act scared. Pups which have not been handled enough will freeze when you pick them up: most will get over that sort of a bad start, but in anything over 12 weeks old, it will be an uphill battle.

 

That's it in a nutshell: best thing to do if you're going to look at pups is take someone experienced with you so they can point you in the right direction.

[Tiny 7 1,694]

The pup should be:

 

Well reared: plump, bright clean eyes, ears, soft coat (not stary or harsh to the touch), no pot belly or stick insect legs (doesn't matter what breed or type your'e talking about), nice round feet, not long straggly toes. Anything over 6 weeks old should have plenty of knuckle (the knobbly bones on the wrists), clean a*rse (no sign of diarrhoea), proper bite. In most lurcher pups the top front teeth should very slightly overlap those on the bottom jaw, but only by a millimetre or so.

 

Conformation: depends on the breeding, and only someone more experienced (not being nasty) will be able to judge if the shape is right for the type. Obvious things: all pups should look broad in the chest: anything too narrow or spindly as a pup will turn out way too narrow. Best thing is to see the parents: if they are right then you have a better chance of the pup being right.

 

Temperament: bright, inquisitive, wanting to meet you, though unsocialised pups won't behave like this at all, but huddle in a corner and act scared. Pups which have not been handled enough will freeze when you pick them up: most will get over that sort of a bad start, but in anything over 12 weeks old, it will be an uphill battle.

 

That's it in a nutshell: best thing to do if you're going to look at pups is take someone experienced with you so they can point you in the right direction.

 

 

P do you know any write ups on the net that covers this area in detail wouldnt mind doing a bit of research on the subject...? (Just to add iam not saying your anit )

[skycat 6,174]

There's heaps of stuff on the net: just Google what to look for when buying a puppy. Actually, much of the info is to do with KC stuff: how to avoid dodgy breeders etc etc. Have a trawl through and see what you can find. Unfortunately no amount of reading is a substitute for experience, which is why it is best to take someone experienced with you when going to look at a litter.

[Tiny 7 1,694]

There's heaps of stuff on the net: just Google what to look for when buying a puppy. Actually, much of the info is to do with KC stuff: how to avoid dodgy breeders etc etc. Have a trawl through and see what you can find. Unfortunately no amount of reading is a substitute for experience, which is why it is best to take someone experienced with you when going to look at a litter.

 

 

Cheers P,

 

 

Iam not going too be buying any pups in the forseeable future, Its just iv going to be lineing my bitch this august (The one i spoke to you about last year couldnt make my mind up to use Snipe or a straight open class GH well i never done it as i wasnt 100% sure but know iv went for Snipe 100%), And just want to be aware what to look for in a litter as thiis will be my first out of my own bitch as iv always kept dogs,

 

 

 

But i will ill look throw the net and see what i can see... Thanks T 7