Hi there!
So... afer 10 years of saying "one day...." I am going to look at a dog on thursday. Now... he may well end up not being right for me but this is a major step and has been a long time coming.
So.... basically, I am looking at lurchers. I particularly love the look of saluki crosses so have been aiming in that direction.
I work as a zoo keeper/animal technician/teacher at a college sited on enormous and beautiful grounds ranging from arable land to woodland. I have my name put down for a staff kennel already and only work until 5pm with an hours break which is usually spent mooching around the grounds anyway.
My brother and his fair lady live with me and work different shifts which means puppy will very rarely be alone. My mother works in a vet surgery and puppy can spent time there too. So although I work, I don't think it'll be an issue especially as pup will be able to come with me once he's ready.
So my questions.... brace yourselves for the essay....
I have done a lot of reading but as always, the advice is broad and conflicting.
I and am aware of salukis' selective hearing and that they can be a bit difficult to teach reliable recall. All advice and suggestions from saluki lurcher owners is appreciated. What works and what doesn't?
The pup I am going to look at is being fed on CSJ puppy food. Obviously should I choose him, he will remain on this in the interim but is this a good enough quality food for the long term? If not, suggestions please!
I intend to do a partially raw diet. At what age do I need to start introducing raw food and is it best to avoid rich bits like liver initially or is it a case of everything in moderation? I am always banging on about the importance of a varied diet but I don't want to risk adding too much in too quickly and upsetting his tummy.
Basic training: I have read and read but again, I would appreciate suggestions from people who own saluki crosses.
Insurance... who is worth the dosh and who is best avoided?
Any hints or tips are appreciated enormously. I have spent my entire working life around animals of all shapes and sizes (so routine, constant husbandry etc isn't a concern for me) and have done some training in basic dog grooming and done plenty of dog walking but I have never owned my own dog so this is as daunting as it is exciting. Mostly, I don't want to balls it up and then spend months rectifying a problem I have unwittingly created.
The pup I am going to look at on thursday is a saluki grey hound cross of 12 weeks. He has had jabs and been wormed and deflead. I will be asking a metric butt-ton of other questions when I meet him no doubt!
Thanks in advance for your help everyone.
Kat
So... afer 10 years of saying "one day...." I am going to look at a dog on thursday. Now... he may well end up not being right for me but this is a major step and has been a long time coming.
So.... basically, I am looking at lurchers. I particularly love the look of saluki crosses so have been aiming in that direction.
I work as a zoo keeper/animal technician/teacher at a college sited on enormous and beautiful grounds ranging from arable land to woodland. I have my name put down for a staff kennel already and only work until 5pm with an hours break which is usually spent mooching around the grounds anyway.
My brother and his fair lady live with me and work different shifts which means puppy will very rarely be alone. My mother works in a vet surgery and puppy can spent time there too. So although I work, I don't think it'll be an issue especially as pup will be able to come with me once he's ready.
So my questions.... brace yourselves for the essay....
I have done a lot of reading but as always, the advice is broad and conflicting.
I and am aware of salukis' selective hearing and that they can be a bit difficult to teach reliable recall. All advice and suggestions from saluki lurcher owners is appreciated. What works and what doesn't?
The pup I am going to look at is being fed on CSJ puppy food. Obviously should I choose him, he will remain on this in the interim but is this a good enough quality food for the long term? If not, suggestions please!
I intend to do a partially raw diet. At what age do I need to start introducing raw food and is it best to avoid rich bits like liver initially or is it a case of everything in moderation? I am always banging on about the importance of a varied diet but I don't want to risk adding too much in too quickly and upsetting his tummy.
Basic training: I have read and read but again, I would appreciate suggestions from people who own saluki crosses.
Insurance... who is worth the dosh and who is best avoided?
Any hints or tips are appreciated enormously. I have spent my entire working life around animals of all shapes and sizes (so routine, constant husbandry etc isn't a concern for me) and have done some training in basic dog grooming and done plenty of dog walking but I have never owned my own dog so this is as daunting as it is exciting. Mostly, I don't want to balls it up and then spend months rectifying a problem I have unwittingly created.
The pup I am going to look at on thursday is a saluki grey hound cross of 12 weeks. He has had jabs and been wormed and deflead. I will be asking a metric butt-ton of other questions when I meet him no doubt!
Thanks in advance for your help everyone.
Kat
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