Stealthy Alfie - 9 Weeks To 11 Months

[matt1979 766]

Time has flown since I picked this little fella up locally, little bit of a gamble in truth as I didn't know the sire that well, but with the parents seemingly fitting the bill and as it was a nicely even litter, I took my chances. It has to date been money (all be it not much) well spent, he has been a fast learner from day one really and has basically shadowed my little terrier since I got him out after his jabs. Seems to have gone from a little dot to a solid little fella overnight and just about time to start hopefully reaping the rewards and enjoying some action together. He is a natural little hunter and is pushing my little terrier for effort when mooching, he is non stop when out and has been encouraged, within reason to hunt up, as most of my work for the dogs is daytime. He is also a very soopy little bugger at home and the Mrs and kids have really taken to him, despite there apprehension about getting "a scrawny long legged creature" (they prefer the fluffy ones lol).

 

Had a few runs on the lamp with a bit of success, he is relatively small and has to work pretty hard for his rewards, in comparison to my old mans larger runner, that said he is very committed and you have to love him for that. He has had a few tumbles when out over the last month or so and already has a few war wounds as he enters cover at ridiculous speeds at times. I have taken it steady for these reasons of late and he is steadying up a touch, or maybe learning from his mistakes. Never going to be world beater on all game due to his stature, but he has plenty enough pace to turn the bunnies and that suits me fine. Makes the long wanders with the other dogs all the more interesting and is a cracking house dog to boot.

 

Enjoy your seasons hunting fellas and to those thnking of taking the plunge and getting a pup, I can only echo how much of a great experience it has been for me. Having waited a hell of a long time to get and runner, as I was otherwise engaged by her majesty for a long while (armed forces not hm pleasure). Few pictures of Alfies progress atb

 

 

 

 

 

[Single handed 33]

Nice looking dog pal

[NEWKID 29,047]

Nice post and smart looking dog mate...

[slipper 116]

Very nice mate

[werbad 43]

Nice dog, thats a big bear you got!

[matt1979 766]

Lol yes she is a beast, in her twilight sadly could write a book about that dog. None of it good really but plenty that was funny atb

[paulsmithy83 567]

nice dog you got there

[TOM HEAVY 140]

great post, keep up the good work

[mhopton 807]

He's a belting pup mate he's got that look in his eyes watching , taking everything in he'll be a good one next season best of look mate .ps don't worry about being small mines only small standing just under 21" takes it all in his stride

[matt1979 766]

Just a quick update on the little fella, as we enjoy the summer rest and start to prepare for more challenging action next season. Alfie is now aound 14 month old and has levelled out at around 22tts, been out plenty of times last season just mooching alongside the little pack we take out and he has acquitted himself well for a young dog. Had a couple of scraps with things he shouldn't and been laid up a couple of times already, but nothing too serious. He had a tack through his front left foot a few weeks back but hasn't bothered him after the initial haling process. He remains a great little character and my chilled out approach to training has definitely reaped rewards with him, as he is very much focussed on me and recall etc never been an issue to date. He gets on well with my other three dogs and despite the familys initial apprehension about and long legged skinny looking beast, he has won them all over, soft as a brush and generally very chilled out around the home. In the field he is a none stop and has been from a very early age to be honest, I have just let him do what comes natural and he hunts up great in the daytime, but is sensible on the lamp (of which he hasn't done much to be fair). He just needs to learn to work a little closer to the other dogs, namely the little terrier I have who generally pushes stuff out on our daily excursions. But I am sure is he matures this will improve, he isn't the fastest dog in the world to be honest but he has good acceleration and is quick enough for his role and I am probably a bit harsh, I grew up with racing greyhounds and greyhound lurchers. He has had a couple of runs on the simulated coursing at recent shows and done pretty well to be fair often against larger dogs. Now the ground work is done hope to get out and enjoy some action next season watching him mature and hopefully have many a good season out of him, if he stays fit atb few recent pics

 

[Somewhereyournot 1,117]

Nice write up. You'll find by the time he's 2 is when he will get his full speed anyway, and like you say, brought up with racing greys don't help. Lol he's a nice dog Atb with him.

[Phil Lloyd 10,739]

Real nice post there Matt

Edited May 12, 2016 by Phil Lloyd

[Somewhereyournot 1,117]

Real nice post there Matt

 

Same as yourself, I've a home bred, cur lurcher here, that I really like having around...

She is not very fast, and physically,...limited as to what is on the menu,...but, I enjoy her company.

 

A good honest rabbiting/mouching style lurcher, does not always require, the out and out pace, of a more complete lurcher...I have found, over the years,...that my success ratio in terms of actual catches, is often dependant on being in the right place, at the right time...

 

All the best, Phil..

and collie type lurchers always seem to be there at that time. Like a sixth sense the weird buggers lol

[matt1979 766]

a

Edited December 27, 2016 by matt1979

[matt1979 766]

 

Not sure if the link will work but hopefully a bit of action of the young lurcher starting to learn the ropes. Rabbit bolted by the Slt, Ignore the geriatric Russell who nearly died after the bolt she is very much in her twilight but my old man is a softy and she tags along. Alfie first real season this time after just mooching around with my old mans older Beddie lurcher last season and the terriers. Alfie has been keen as from early age but pretty easy going and thankfully he still dotes on me so training has gone pretty smoothly barring an annoying habit he seems to have passed where he wouldn't retrieve (only when the terriers where around in fairness). He isn't an out and out speed merchant but is quick enough and despite his appearance is fairly bright imo. He has done a bit of steady lamping and has done me proud but I prefer the daytime mooches with the terrier tbh and because of that he doesn't get as many catches as perhaps he deserves for his efforts. Was a little frustrated that he didn't seem to click when out working with the bushers that he should keep close by them to see more action, but thankfully this is starting to change with more experience. Funnily enough it is the little terrier that has clocked on more than he has and she now works cover around him if that makes sense and as a team they have started to click a little. I hunt for the sport rather than the catch and hopefully should have a good feed years fun with the lurcher and little Slt if I can keep them fit and luck stays on out side enjoy the season atb

 

Edited December 29, 2016 by matt1979