Hi everyone,
I tend to visit this forum (and the Whippet one) most evenings although I rarely post.
Having owned mainly Border Collies/Collie crosses in the past, we adopted a Lurcher from the Dogs Trust just over a year ago.
Molly is a small (21-22") 2.5 year old Whippet cross ... the Dogs Trust didn't know what she was crossed with but as she has developed over the past year it is clear that she has some bull terrier in her, we suspect Staffie. She is a fantastic dog, perhaps the best that I have ever owned, in respect of her temperament with people (and our 4 teenagers) and other dogs. She has a few idiosyncrasies of course, including a coat that is black in the winter but changes to chocolate brown in the summer (I kid you not). She is quiet, rarely barks, got over her separation anxiety quickly (even though my wife is at home all day) and is non-destructive.
She is such a great dog that I promised myself, my wife and the kids that I would get another lurcher (wife fancies a whippet though - but too small and delicate for my tatse) once Molly had settled in - mainly as a companion for her. Her best dog friend is another Lurcher (more Greyhound than anything else) and watching them run like the wind together most days is one of life's pleasures.
But, here's the problem ... as her confidence and fitness have grown she has developed quite a strong prey tendency. She will fixate on rabbits and squirrels ... and positively obsess about ducks. If she is off the lead and "goes" after one of the above there is no way we can recall her. Yes, I realise that is our fault, not Molly's, and we have tried to train her but she is very well behaved and will always come back if she hasn't "locked" onto one the aforementioned creatures ... but once she has, that's it. And she is quick enough to often catch them so we have to be careful where we exercise/run her off lead.
So, I would really welcome your opinions on the following questions:
Do we go for another Lurcher as per the original plan? And if so are two spayed Lurcher girls usually OK together? (that's what I've had with Collies in the ast without problems).
Or should we go for a Collie X (and yes, I have my eye on one in particular - a 1 year old girl) on the basis that whilst she will be great running and general company but won't possess the same prey/hunting instinct? And would that help to calm Molly's instinct down a bit?
I look forward to seeing your responses.
Kevin
I tend to visit this forum (and the Whippet one) most evenings although I rarely post.
Having owned mainly Border Collies/Collie crosses in the past, we adopted a Lurcher from the Dogs Trust just over a year ago.
Molly is a small (21-22") 2.5 year old Whippet cross ... the Dogs Trust didn't know what she was crossed with but as she has developed over the past year it is clear that she has some bull terrier in her, we suspect Staffie. She is a fantastic dog, perhaps the best that I have ever owned, in respect of her temperament with people (and our 4 teenagers) and other dogs. She has a few idiosyncrasies of course, including a coat that is black in the winter but changes to chocolate brown in the summer (I kid you not). She is quiet, rarely barks, got over her separation anxiety quickly (even though my wife is at home all day) and is non-destructive.
She is such a great dog that I promised myself, my wife and the kids that I would get another lurcher (wife fancies a whippet though - but too small and delicate for my tatse) once Molly had settled in - mainly as a companion for her. Her best dog friend is another Lurcher (more Greyhound than anything else) and watching them run like the wind together most days is one of life's pleasures.
But, here's the problem ... as her confidence and fitness have grown she has developed quite a strong prey tendency. She will fixate on rabbits and squirrels ... and positively obsess about ducks. If she is off the lead and "goes" after one of the above there is no way we can recall her. Yes, I realise that is our fault, not Molly's, and we have tried to train her but she is very well behaved and will always come back if she hasn't "locked" onto one the aforementioned creatures ... but once she has, that's it. And she is quick enough to often catch them so we have to be careful where we exercise/run her off lead.
So, I would really welcome your opinions on the following questions:
Do we go for another Lurcher as per the original plan? And if so are two spayed Lurcher girls usually OK together? (that's what I've had with Collies in the ast without problems).
Or should we go for a Collie X (and yes, I have my eye on one in particular - a 1 year old girl) on the basis that whilst she will be great running and general company but won't possess the same prey/hunting instinct? And would that help to calm Molly's instinct down a bit?
I look forward to seeing your responses.
Kevin
