Hello - newbie with a Springer x Saluki here

[lurcherman]

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Right listen, it can still turn out to be a cracker , but your good to thing of training at your first step, you will see in my avatar my black dog, saluki x collie grey, it had mainly saluki , it was loopy early doors and needed a firm hand on training, let me tell you they are deaf haha, only in the form of I can hear you but I don’t want to listen, then you’ve got a springer ! Wow you have a battle on your hands,

 

[Nikki Thompson]

Ah, this really mad me laugh - thank you! You're absolutely right, we do have a battle on our hands. And I think he is and will be worth it but oh my goodness its only been a week and there have been tears and time outs for the humans, let alone the dog. He is honestly amazing - so smart and loving and perceptive - but his nickname is Tiny Demon and I really mean it

Thank you for the reassurance on training, I think you're right, that's the first thing to get nailed down - consistency and structure. The rest I'm fairly sure we'll be winging for a good while yet!

 

[lurcherman]

By the way he does look a lovely dog, and at young stage looked like mine , I will say thow my black saluki x did calm down and was a aloof but very very calm dog after his puppy life,well maybe a 3 year deaf running stage hehe, you have a sighthound In is mix so please be careful, my blackie made sixteen and we all use these words but I loved every minute, and I had to be there at the end as it’s just right , painful but gotta be done. Enjoy your young dog with smiles but be very careful as he will be a runner .

 

[Hemlock]

Are you certain of the spaniel part or is it something the dog rescue told you? I've found dog rescue staff are very good at making up what they don't know, and lurchers are a specialist subject. A spaniel cross would be very unusual because of different working styles, but of course anything is possible.

There is a good dog trainer in Surrey who uses positive methods and I can't remember her name but if you contact Emma Judson on Canine Consultant website, she will give you details.

Looking forward to hearing about your lurchery adventures.

 

[Nikki Thompson]

Not certain at all - it's information from the rehoming place, so can see that it might be wrong. We have a vet appointment scheduled in on Thurs, so hopefully we can see what they think and maybe get it checked out. I can see something Spaniel in him, and some of his energy and behaviour is 'typically' Spaniel, but that's not even remotely proof!

I'll definitely keep you all updated

 

[Hemlock]

Your vet staff are unlikely to know unless they are lurcher specialists. They are very good at mending sick animals and giving health advice, but not trained in identifying breed mix, training or behaviour. If you put up some profile photos, there are several people here who are experienced with lurchers and could take an educated guess. How tall is he?

 

[JudyN]

I do think I can see spaniel in his mugshots.

 

[Nikki Thompson]

Judy - I do think so, especially when he bites on his blanket/bed and pulls his head up at the same time (if you know what I mean!), its like all the Saluki disappears from him and he turns into a Spaniel - the shape of his head seems to change and there's all the drooping of his ears and eyes - its actually a lot of fun to watch! He's really lovely.

Hemlock - thanks very much for your comment, that's good to know about the vet, I have to admit I thought they might be able to help in terms of confirming. I'll post some more photos and measurements later if I can too!

 

[merlina]

He's beautiful. Had a lurcher ( lab x whippet) who'd had multiple homes and some bad stuff happening to him. Our first year was interesting! But you can turn these dogs around. You've had excellent advice and I'll just say I also found letting him chill at first worked. Virtually no attention, regular exercise (at first on lead till we found a safe fenced area) - and just a routine he could anticipate. It helped we had a perfect spaniel that really added to his confidence, always came back and was just calm. I think these dogs come to us with the engine revving! Very best of luck. (BTW our boy became a joy and lived to be 17).

 

[Nikki Thompson]

Thanks Merlina, thats very reassuring/encouraging

They definitely do come with their engines running, that's for sure!

 

[NicolaHooch]

Ah, this really mad me laugh - thank you! You're absolutely right, we do have a battle on our hands. And I think he is and will be worth it but oh my goodness its only been a week and there have been tears and time outs for the humans, let alone the dog. He is honestly amazing - so smart and loving and perceptive - but his nickname is Tiny Demon and I really mean it

Thank you for the reassurance on training, I think you're right, that's the first thing to get nailed down - consistency and structure. The rest I'm fairly sure we'll be winging for a good while yet!

Hi Nikki- I came across this post whilst googling! I also have a springer x saluki cross, Hooch has not long turned 3! I wondered how you’re getting on? I’ve never seen the cross elsewhere either and people seem to feel sorry for me when I say the mix
I’m not too far from you either in Bracknell

 

[NicolaHooch]

Hi Nikki- I came across this post whilst googling! I also have a springer x saluki cross, Hooch has not long turned 3! I wondered how you’re getting on? I’ve never seen the cross elsewhere either and people seem to feel sorry for me when I say the mix
I’m not too far from you either in Bracknell

My nutter

 

[RGC]

Best of luck. He’s a beautiful lad and my heart goes out to him - four homes. Keep the faith and stick with it - stick as a verb, not a noun. Our rescue came with many issues but she’s making progress - somewhat still fearful but trusting me at last and ENJOYING her life. Quite the little Madame at times. I’m sure you’ll get there. Sighthounds are different.