Why Lurcher Pups Shouldn't Be Worked Hard Until They Are Fully Grown

[DEERMAN 1,016]

I like my dogs out early as pups even if not running anything ,getting use to everything from motors to getting through/ over fences / gates, livestock at night , its down to the owner to make sure they don't get too much too early running wise ,but most of mine are knocking over a few rabbits at 6 month .

[Maximus Ferret 2,061]

Mine run some very rough ground at times and I consider it essential that pups get regular walks over rough ground pretty much from the time I get them. Fences, ditches, streams, mountain slopes, woodland etc too.

Now I'm not advocating running young pups at game over this kind of ground but if they learn to get over it from the time they're pups, they're much less likely to hurt themselves when running as adults.

[sandymere 8,261]

I'd agree there's a big difference between a youngster mooching about learning what a lurchers life is all about to taking a pup out running solo hares or lamping big bags, comes down to common sense.

[desertbred 5,490]

Go back to years gone bye and even still in some places. My families salukis when bred once up and about roam around at will with the pack chewing things, digging just being pups when they are 5/6 months old they often go off with tthe bitch and chase what ever they can find, seen similar with the old time greyhound breeders over in Ireland litters of well bred pups running around feral chewing rusty barbed wire and rusting farm implements chasing chickens ducks basically anything that move , this is all natural, I would not even think about starting serious graft with any dog till they are mentally and physically ready this is where stockmanship learnt from experience comes into the equation.

[skycat 6,173]

This is where things are very different for most people these days: not only must we heavily socialise our lurchers in this overcrowded island we live on in order to make them safe with livestock etc, but most of us want our dogs to retrieve what they catch. Whilst running about in a pack is a great and natural start for a puppy, it doesn't do anything for the type of one-to-one relationship that most people want with their lurcher and the training we put in place to create that bond.

[desertbred 5,490]

I find that with salukis its far easier to get the bonding as part of a pack. In our environment we have extended families and our salukis are part of that extended family. We find the dogs will usually select a family member as their property and attach themselves to them. Here I have four Three bitches and a dog the dog owns me,he wont even run for anyone only me. The bitches are obedient to me when working but at home two of them prefer the company of my Wife and Daughter the youngest bitch hasnt made her mind up yet.who she owns lol. I suppose my life with salukis has been well founded so they are not a challenge to me I realise a lot of folk do find them a hand full but it just needs patience and perseverance.

Edited October 1, 2015 by desertbred

[skycat 6,173]

DB: you are saying that the dog owns you, and I think that half the problem people have with Salukis is that they fail to understand that these dogs have a totally different mindset to the breeds/types that evolved in Western society. It is engrained in our culture to have this 'me say, you obey' relationship with dogs, and the very thought of having a dog that demands to be treated as an equal is something that most cannot get their heads around. Treating a dog with respect is something they could never achieve. But to me it has to work both ways: if I want my dog's respect then I also have to respect the way its brain works, and the way it relates to the world around it and learn to fit in with its traits. It's a lot to ask of some people who don't understand, and don't want to understand, that their dog relates to its owner and the world in general in a way that so different to a Collie, for example.

[desertbred 5,490]

A working dog and its handler to my mind are a partnership it has to be built on mutual trust and confidence in each others abilities and capabilities. There is an old saying that salukis work for themselves, , this is their mindset you try to force them into doing anything they dont want to do and you will be banging your head into a brick pillar. When they consider you to be theirs then its natural instinct for them to want to provide for you they will then do what it is natural for them to do run chase and catch things At a very young age after watching salukis for hours I realised in their world they are number one and like home comforts, this will be born out by those who own them. I am in reality pack leader in my pack but as the dog is a very dominant character he Lords it over the others anything they chase and catch belongs to him he will if required take anything off them by force,, anything he catches he brings to me as he sees himself as my provider hence all quarry will end up with me eventually he wont eat from my hand I put his food down and when I move away he will eat it in his mind this is still not reversing the role of him being the provider. Two of the bitches attached to the Wife and Daughter one will eat from the hand the most dominant bitch wont. Certain traits are bred into certain breeds so these can be adapted to reinforce a good working relationship and understanding.

Edited October 1, 2015 by desertbred

[Gareth12 224]

Great thread. To me it all comes down to being sensible and perspective. As with kids, being out and learning about the world can only be good. Yes I understand by being out the pup is likely to pick up the odd knock, and possibly this may having an effect in later life. Personally I would rather a pup be out learning their trade in the field from a younger age, than sat in a kennel getting frustrated and not building up too much energy. As with everything though imo there should be a limit, and working a young dog into the ground will only end in disaster! I've always played sport from a young age, injuries are part and parcel of being active. Yes I may pay in later life with arthritis etc but so be it, I have the same attitude with my dogs. In a perfect world a dog wouldn't be put under any unnecessary stress until their ready, but if they are out and about, things will happen. In all I'm not sure exactly where I stand on this so don't know why I posted, but all the same great posts and does make your think and consider your methods which can only be good?!

[straight2hand 303]

I noticed in the diagram the ranges of time are quite wide... It got mentioned the difference between a whippet to a deer hound in terms of growth is so different, which is true. The lurcher world has so many different types of blood and dilutions its judgement and experience to know when the dog is ready but surely as long as exercise and entering to quarry are gradual, you can't really go wrong if you know your dog. An example would be if the you have stepped up the exercise and the dog doesn't seem itself - step it back down and let the dog rest until its older and stronger! Let us all remember a whippet x may develop physically quick but that dog may not mentally be ready for a full season. As a rule start the dog slowly and observe over a space of time. A wise man once told me it take 3 years to make and find out what type of lurcher you have!