What X

[matt1979 766]

Looking at getting a lurcher pup/ running dog in the future and just wanted opinions on what x people think would suit. I am looking for something for bunnies only around 20tts, to work alongside terriers. The land I mooch on is mainly woodland and my uncles farm which is fields and with hedgerows which hold plenty of bunnies and small wood patches. My initial thoughts were to go with a pure whippet from solid parents but I have concerns about one suiting the land I hunt. I have looked at beddy xs whippet but in truth the ones I have seen (1st x) lacked pace. Any other options would be welcome as I like to do my homework. People's first hand experienes would be good and pics welcome cheers. I should add I have seen plenty if running dogs in my time of 24 tts and above but looking for something smaller as in truth I have 3 other dogs and don't see the point in getting another big dog when Iam only after rabbits. I also don't need a dog entering cover hence my concerns about to much terrier influence in any xs it's a runner I am after bringing on cheers

[fluff 410]

get a line bred collie whippet greyhound type theyll not let you down ,one with good fetching instincts ,used to be some right good ones round barnsley west melton area

[nothernlite 18,268]

Something with whippet greyhound in it to keep the size down maybe saluki or beddy or as fluff said collie but I had 2 beddy whippet grey they were 21tts good we rabbit dogs and had plenty pace and guts

[matt1979 766]

Thanks for the responses like the look of the collie whippet xs but it's one of the few xs I haven't had any hands on experience with. Northern thanks for the input how did you find the bed x whippet temperament wise, they have a rep for being a bit headstrong an my experiences of them backs this up. Although that said I am used to working terriers so I suppose I should be used to it and I enjoy their nature. I would think I would go 3/4 whippet x bedlington if I went this route any experience with these would be good, the reason being I would expect them to have more pace. The longest runs I tend to get on the ground I work is between 30-60 yards as rabbits break cover or hedgerows for short periods when under pressure cheers for the input

[Moorside 642]

Ive got a 3/4 whip 1/4 beddy bitch 20", shes brave and a little more robust than the straight whippets ive seen. Shes got pace to burn really. Her main forte is in and around cover/hedges because she can follow bunnies through gaps and kills no end of them this way and puts up plenty that are hiding in the rough stuff for the big dogs.

[matt1979 766]

Thanks moorside how do you find the coat on the 3/4 has it thrown to the whippet or broken coated and what's the temperament like thanks for he input atb

[Thrush 181]

A lad I know used to have a 3/4 whippet 1/4 beddy and it was fearless, stood about 20-21ins was good day and night, would smash a hedge and tackle anything. I've not seen a pure whippet work so won't try an compare but I would definitely own one on the merits of that bitch!!

[No1DogMan 50]

I know lots of young lads who have gon and got little beddy whippets or collie whippets cuz they only want to do rabbits...

 

Only to later "get in with" some older lads with proper dogs and then "find themselves wanting".

 

So 12 months down the line the little lurcher is being used as a bushing dog and they've gone and got a bigger dog in.

 

Seen it hapen countless times over the years.

 

Just sometning to think about.

[nothernlite 18,268]

Matt your hear there head strong what young pup isn't to me it's there prey drive all they want to do is work bring a pup up the right way and you won't get a more suitable loyal dog for working with ferrets ideal for your small runs that's all I've used for years mate and it's always mooching and ferreting I've done with mine and they suit me to a tea

[fluff 410]

of all the years ive had lurchers 30 odd , saw several lurcher hunting trails ,not saw one beddie cross i would take home guys , rabbiting you want them soft mouth not yipping , obeident ,,fast good fetchers, easy to train ,not ragging another dogs catch ,under control ,and listning to you and working as a team .maybe the beddies nowadays are a lot better ,than the ones i saw twenty odd years ago

[keepitcovert 842]

My saluki whippet has served me well, best 30 yarder ive owned lightning early pace 10 years old now but still nailing them.

[buster gonads 862]

It would be one of two for me, either 3/4 whip 1/4 beddy or 3/4 whip 1/4 collie, i have a 3/4 whip 1/4 beddy but if i had a cover dog and was doing alot of ferreting my choice would be 1/4 collie, brains, speed but possibly less heart than the 1/4 beddy.

[Chid 6,844]

Whippet based lurcher , it aint really going to matter what else is in the mix it should do what you want ...

[matt1979 766]

Probably my thoughts to chid21 I think I will just take a look around in the summer when I intend to get a runner and take a closer look at a few of these crosses and go with a litter that stands out who's parents have done similar jobs what I want. Pretty set on 3/4 whippet to ensure the size and acceleration I need and I like there temperament the rest will hopefully pan out. If anyone knows or has any planned litters for the summer of similar xs let me know, happy I travel for the right pup and the dog will get plenty of opportunity to work when nature and a home for life atb

[fluff 410]

keep my eye for you maybe some of the old lines still about ,very good dogs the collie whippet greyhound type