Bedlington Whippet

[rabbitman1234567 21]

hi what age do bedlington x whippets catch rabbits

[Pip66 40]

hi what age do bedlington x whippets catch rabbits

All different but 12 months ish, no doubt plenty will do it earlier but no point ruining a young dog by starting it too soon.

As for the red stags I'd let him have a couple of rabbits first, and make sure his retrieving is spot on, you don't want to have to carry a stag yourself.

[buster gonads 862]

If 9 months plus come harvest time i,b be showing it some young rabbits, it might help if you can start it with an older dog already catching, but make sure its recall is spot on before showing it anything.

Edited August 1, 2016 by buster gonads

[bobhow 57]

this is a how long,s a piece of string question there is no hard and fast answer but in my experience most should be catching before they,er first birthday

[Shaddy93 840]

Only you will know when your dog is ready, start it too young you'll end up with a yapper, which Iv seen a few beddy crosses turn into fine singers whilst running something, play your cards right you could have a handy little hunting partner

[eastcoast 4,726]

I think most know that whippets and whippet crosses can be catching rabbits before their 1st birthday. Particularly bitches. They can have the speed, co-ordination and correct mental attitude at an age when the larger sight hound types are still like Bambies on stilts and daft as brushes or scared of their own shadows. Their natural aptitude for catching rabbits can maybe allow us to unintentionally give them too much to do too soon.

 

I know of two examples of dogs of this type getting off to a flying start and being run successfully before their 1st birthday but just failing to reach their 2nd birthday. Both 1/4 Bedlington 3/4 Whippet. Both bitches and both resembling pure Whippet in type. The men who owned them weren't idiots or callus dog men. However they were both 1st time owners of Whippet types and both found themselves with access to good numbers of rabbits that coincided with their new ownership of this kind of dog. They were too enthusiastic and got carried away by the amount of game and proficiency of the little dogs in catching them. In my opinion.

 

One of the bitches had a " funny turn " after a run one day. She was put on meds. but didn't live long after that. The other dropped dead mid run. As mentioned these were not uncaring men and even the dead bitch was taken to a vet as he wanted to know what had happened to his pride and joy. In both instances the vets diagnosed heart failure. In both cases ( different men at different times and different vets ) the animal doctors said that the bitches would have been born with a congenital weakness of the heart and a failure would of been inevitable at some time.

 

These vets spend six years studying for their vocation so I assume that their diagnosis was correct. But, without meaning to be negative, I think it pays to be aware that however a young running dog may appear to be excelling at the job the physical appearance can flatter to deceive and the heart and lungs also need time to fully develop before proper work starts.

 

It maybe that I'm turning into a curmudgeonly old twat always looking on the dark side? Quite possibly. Good luck with your pup. A Bedlington x Whippet + rabbits = great sport !

[nothernlite 18,268]

Great answer eastcoast

[Chid 6,852]

You'll know when its ready as it'll start yapping when its running

[nothernlite 18,268]

One thing is for sure it won't stalk them haha