Best First Running Dog.

[Astral 253]

Right I know this thread will have very mixed results, but to put it context. Next year I will be in a position that I can finally have a dog again, and I'd like a working dog able to catch rabbits, and also be a pet. Growing up we had a collie X Lab and a Lurcher (Not sure the breeding too young). Loved those dogs and always wanted another working dog when I could, but been living in city shared houses and in study, so wasn't an option.

Next year I'm back out into the rural North and will be after a pup, but beforehand I want to learn as much as possible about them so need to come to a conclusion at least roughly about what to go for.

My choices are boiling down to:

Whippet: as they are smaller, dog would only be after bunnies for me anyway.

saluki: As they are BEAUTIFUL, but I know a tad advanced for somebody new to it.

Lurcher: (Not sure what cross, but I like the Saluki crosses or greyhound crosses)

Greyhound:

What are your opinions on these dogs? Any pointers for somebody new to it?

Cheers in advance, just looking to be fully prepared before I go out and bring home a dog.

[Big bald beautiful 1,231]

If you have had collie types before I would look for a collie blooded dog, first cross or 3/4 bred.I bought the wife a whippet , dogs just 6 yrs old and a great pet that catches the odd day light rabbit.

[sandymere 8,263]

What job its to do, lamping or ferreting etc and what ground you run should have an input.

 

In general a whippet x grey is a good starter if you just want to catch rabbits, many get frustrated with slower types when its their first dog, an alternative would be a ¾ sight hound lurcher such as collie/grey to grey if you want a little more brain but still hold speed. Then there’s lurcher to lurcher if you have access to a decent litter that are good at what you want.

A lot comes down to what you like in a cross, most can make decent dogs if they are given the chance but people are never happy if its not the type that they really wanted in the first place.

[Big bald beautiful 1,231]

True, my needs have changed.I need a dog for mooching about on rough fields or places lads don't generally run dogs on.I used to like a dog to bend a hare, havnt seen one in a while.

[Astral 253]

What job its to do, lamping or ferreting etc and what ground you run should have an input.

 

In general a whippet x grey is a good starter if you just want to catch rabbits, many get frustrated with slower types when its their first dog, an alternative would be a ¾ sight hound lurcher such as collie/grey to grey if you want a little more brain but still hold speed. Then there’s lurcher to lurcher if you have access to a decent litter that are good at what you want.

A lot comes down to what you like in a cross, most can make decent dogs if they are given the chance but people are never happy if its not the type that they really wanted in the first place.

 

Good point I wasn't very specific.

 

I really would enjoy lamping over farmland/grassland. and be able to take the dog for walks over roughish ground when I hike, dad used to take me lamping when I was younger with our old lurcher and I loved it, but I'm not looking for a hunting machine. as I would enjoy being able to take it with me when I travel, snuggle on the sofa, and enough brains that I can train the difference between going after bunnies, but not chickens/ducks cats etc.

 

I loved the traits of a collie as the brains are there, but I want a fast dog so had been considering lurcher, then realized I know little about them in practice.

[.WARREN. 288]

COLLIE WHIPPET GREYHOUND,

[Hot Meat 3,109]

Whippet; or whippet x grey

[Big bald beautiful 1,231]

3/4 greyhound 1/4 collie bitch

fast , bright and good for anything .if lands rougher i would opt for a first cross collie greyhound

[BORDERSCOT 3,816]

 

What job its to do, lamping or ferreting etc and what ground you run should have an input.

 

In general a whippet x grey is a good starter if you just want to catch rabbits, many get frustrated with slower types when its their first dog, an alternative would be a ¾ sight hound lurcher such as collie/grey to grey if you want a little more brain but still hold speed. Then there’s lurcher to lurcher if you have access to a decent litter that are good at what you want.

A lot comes down to what you like in a cross, most can make decent dogs if they are given the chance but people are never happy if its not the type that they really wanted in the first place.

 

Good point I wasn't very specific.

 

I really would enjoy lamping over farmland/grassland. and be able to take the dog for walks over roughish ground when I hike, dad used to take me lamping when I was younger with our old lurcher and I loved it, but I'm not looking for a hunting machine. as I would enjoy being able to take it with me when I travel, snuggle on the sofa, and enough brains that I can train the difference between going after bunnies, but not chickens/ducks cats etc.

 

I loved the traits of a collie as the brains are there, but I want a fast dog so had been considering lurcher, then realized I know little about them in practice.

 

 

 

3/4 greyhound 1/4 collie bitch

fast , bright and good for anything .if lands rougher i would opt for a first cross collie greyhound

 

"but I want a fast dog" - - I knew there's been something missing for the last 30 years...it's them collies, the feckers are too slow.......

[Astral 253]

 

 

What job its to do, lamping or ferreting etc and what ground you run should have an input.

 

In general a whippet x grey is a good starter if you just want to catch rabbits, many get frustrated with slower types when its their first dog, an alternative would be a ¾ sight hound lurcher such as collie/grey to grey if you want a little more brain but still hold speed. Then there’s lurcher to lurcher if you have access to a decent litter that are good at what you want.

A lot comes down to what you like in a cross, most can make decent dogs if they are given the chance but people are never happy if its not the type that they really wanted in the first place.

 

Good point I wasn't very specific.

 

I really would enjoy lamping over farmland/grassland. and be able to take the dog for walks over roughish ground when I hike, dad used to take me lamping when I was younger with our old lurcher and I loved it, but I'm not looking for a hunting machine. as I would enjoy being able to take it with me when I travel, snuggle on the sofa, and enough brains that I can train the difference between going after bunnies, but not chickens/ducks cats etc.

 

I loved the traits of a collie as the brains are there, but I want a fast dog so had been considering lurcher, then realized I know little about them in practice.

 

 

 

3/4 greyhound 1/4 collie bitch

fast , bright and good for anything .if lands rougher i would opt for a first cross collie greyhound

 

"but I want a fast dog" - - I knew there's been something missing for the last 30 years...it's them collies, the feckers are too slow.......

 

 

 

haha, I don't know much about breeds yet... but I'd be willing to bet a whippet, greyhound or lurcher would be quicker than the average collie? Not saying they won't be able to catch bunnies as our lab/collie bloody! did =D

[Hot Meat 3,109]

Most lurchers are fast enough for bunnys an most preban species. Whippetd and greys are faster again but canyt do as much work. If you wantca running dog education then getca whippet or a whip/grey it will teach you a lot and then try a lurcher as you will becme addicted haha

[shaaark 11,552]

 

 

 

What job its to do, lamping or ferreting etc and what ground you run should have an input.

 

In general a whippet x grey is a good starter if you just want to catch rabbits, many get frustrated with slower types when its their first dog, an alternative would be a ¾ sight hound lurcher such as collie/grey to grey if you want a little more brain but still hold speed. Then there’s lurcher to lurcher if you have access to a decent litter that are good at what you want.

A lot comes down to what you like in a cross, most can make decent dogs if they are given the chance but people are never happy if its not the type that they really wanted in the first place.

Good point I wasn't very specific.

 

I really would enjoy lamping over farmland/grassland. and be able to take the dog for walks over roughish ground when I hike, dad used to take me lamping when I was younger with our old lurcher and I loved it, but I'm not looking for a hunting machine. as I would enjoy being able to take it with me when I travel, snuggle on the sofa, and enough brains that I can train the difference between going after bunnies, but not chickens/ducks cats etc.

 

I loved the traits of a collie as the brains are there, but I want a fast dog so had been considering lurcher, then realized I know little about them in practice.

 

 

3/4 greyhound 1/4 collie bitch

fast , bright and good for anything .if lands rougher i would opt for a first cross collie greyhound

"but I want a fast dog" - - I knew there's been something missing for the last 30 years...it's them collies, the feckers are too slow.......

 

 

 

haha, I don't know much about breeds yet... but I'd be willing to bet a whippet, greyhound or lurcher would be quicker than the average collie? Not saying they won't be able to catch bunnies as our lab/collie bloody! did =D

 

 

I'd say you're already more clued up than alot on here lol, but I'd agree with warren, collie/grey/whippet, very good mix

[Lloyd90 509]

Wouldn't get a greyhound for rabbits pal, there quite "fragile" thats why people cross em. If you only want a smallish dog for rabbits only then a good whippet or whippet cross would do the job you want, if you want something a bit hardier then look at a bedlington x whippet as they look very handy wee dogs.

[jack68 629]

If your not in a rush for the Lurcher then i would if i was you get a pup from proven parents Lurcherxlurcher breeding..atb

[Big bald beautiful 1,231]

some good pups on here, and from grafting stock .

just be willing to travel