Few bits of advice needed for beginner

[Rich.h 4]

Ok so ive been offered a pick from a litter of 3/4 lakeland russells and very tempted to go for one. However I'm not sure what things I should be looking out for to put me off, so can someone give me an idiots guide to the good and bad points I should be looking for when viewing these pups before I make a final choice?

 

Also I'm assuming that the way I've been told "3/4 lakeland russell" indicates that the makeup should me 3/4 lakeland or am I wrong?

[Bossie 90]

I think that before anyone will be able to give you advice, you need to tell what that dogs job will be.

I like purchasing an animal from someone I'm familiar with and someone who doesn't need to make a lot of money from it. As often mentioned, working parents help. To me it's also important that the owner takes good care of his dogs. Do they live in humane conditions etc.

Does the animal look healthy? Nice coat, normal behaviour etc etc. Think those things come standard when purchasing a new dog (or other animal). As with all working animals, in a litter there are always good and bad ones. Always kind of a gamble.

Edited August 3, 2012 by Bossie

[tommy1967 47]

I know the litter ur chatting about the dam is russel x lakeland .and the sire is full lakeland .I personly would look for the healhtys and most forward pup of the bunch.and then its just hope for the best that it turns out the way you want it to.

[lurcher2020 285]

Confident pup is what your looking for the one that runs to you and if you clap your hands to startle them the one that doesn't back away

[Rich.h 4]

Thanks for the replies picked up a bitch today all were good and healthy looking so was able to choose a rough coat.

 

Though im hoping i just may have rushed an introduction with ferrets. The ferrets are allowed to roam part of the house and not wanting them killed i wanted a young pup. However one of the ferrets gave her a nip and continues to try to do so. Im hoping if i keep them apart for a week or so them they will get used to the smell and such. Any advice on how best to introduce them as this 7 week pup would get mauled if i just leave them to it.

[j1985 1,984]

Let them share a bowl of milk, worked with my lurcher pup.

[tomas 9]

2 bowls of milk about 5ft apart when the dog goes towards the ferrets tell him no. slowly move the bowls closer over the course of 10-14 days you should aim for both to drink out of the same bowl. thats how i trained my whippet. i hope this helps

[huntingryan 33]

i did that with milk with my terrier and ferret but got told milk can be very bad for ferrets, gives the diarrhea for several do with stomach pains do the same but with a egg, obviously without the shell lol

[Rich.h 4]

Cheers for the tips hadnt thought of sharing a bowl. ONly other thing then that has me with any concerns is when the pup is going to be able to hold her own as right now any of the ferrets can easily injure her, but at the same time I don't want to leave it too long so as the tables get reversed and I end up with dead ferrets.

 

The pup is a little over 6 weeks at the moment and i'm just keeping them totally seperate but making sure they swap around areas so both gets to know the smell of the other. I figure after a few days of this I can try a slow careful introduction again.

 

I've no intention of ever just leaving the ferrets and dog alone for long periods but at the same time want to know I can sit on the sofa with both running about without any sudden problems, so provided I put in the time and effort what are my realistic chances of that?

[tomas 9]

sorry i should of said lactos free. give the terrier a couple of wks 1st. my staff wa 6months before he met them and the ferrets will bite til there used to a dog

[deck 35]

Thanks for the replies picked up a bitch today all were good and healthy looking so was able to choose a rough coat.

 

Though im hoping i just may have rushed an introduction with ferrets. The ferrets are allowed to roam part of the house and not wanting them killed i wanted a young pup. However one of the ferrets gave her a nip and continues to try to do so. Im hoping if i keep them apart for a week or so them they will get used to the smell and such. Any advice on how best to introduce them as this 7 week pup would get mauled if i just leave them to it.

be with them all the time a ferret will kill a pup no problem and in no time at all,although it sounds like you are,also do whats been suggested by others above

[Rich.h 4]

cheers for the tips. noticed today this girl already wants to get aggressive and shake with a fair amount of force. Luckily she is getting slowly getting the hang of leave when told. but it makes me wonder if i shouldn't try again careful supervised introductions one ferret at a time, as i think even now she might do them some harm and not sure if i should risk waiting until she grows.

 

If i keep my hand gently round the ferrets neck so I can direct them away from the pups face and ears will i still be looking at a potential serious inury?

 

Threw up a quick video of her with a squeeky ball just to show.

 

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=dCACyxtfgjE