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blowin · Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:02 pm Post subject: Hunting dogs -- Lurchers

Does anyone have any personal experience of this breed ? A mate of mine is planning to take one on from a rescue centre with a view to using it to catch a few rabbits for the pot . He would , however , be upset if it chased hares instead of bunnies and he lives in a sheep farming area ( loose mountain sheep , not lowland animals in nicely fenced fields ) .
It would be the first dog of his own -- so I would think that he should consider how much daily execise is req'd , whether it might be ok in kennels or an urban environment if he chose to move and all those issues . Any thoughts ?

dara · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Mayo

There's a bit to it and I assume you're talking about lamping with a dog at night. But a good dog is hard to find and a rescue centre is the last place i'd look for any good working dog.
To lamp you need a lamp, a bag, a dog and cloudy but reasonably dry, windy weather - dry so the dog won't go arse over and windy so the rabbits don't hear or get a wiff of you. The good 'uns will hold a rabbit when they catch it (so it's alive when you retrieve it) and the bad will mill it - if they can catch it. Some dogs will follow the lamp and others just go charging off, giving the whole game away. It always amazes me how rabbits will lie in cover as if they are waiting for you to pick them out with the lamp - one at a time, a good dog will go quietly about his business, one rabbit a time.
As to hares/bunnies - you're out at night and most hares will be asleep. Though why your mate would be 'upset' about his dog chasing hares and could'nt give a monkeys' for bugsie is beyond me. I suppose if Dog did make that unfortunate mistake he could always be given a stint in the kennels and if that did'nt put manners on him shipment to an 'urban environment' would sort him out proper.

phil · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:01 pm Post subject:

There has to be a reason why dogs end up in rescue centres,aggressive,shy biters,too timid,badly trained,or the worst of all stock worriers.if you could get a young pup that has been socialised but not ruined you might be in with a chance.Then theres the differance between what i would call a lurcher and a longdog,a greyhound crossed with one of the herding breeds would be a better type for rabbits this to me would be a lurcher.A longdog would be a greyhound crossed with another breed of running dog saluki, deerhound,or crosses of these breeds. the longdog types are faster and have more stamina for coursing hares.but in the real world, to expect a dog to know the differance between the two is asking a lot.
It takes a lot of time and training to get a dog to any level of proficiency with a lamp,and it takes years to make it into a reliable ferritting companion.

dara · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Mayo

I think you're dead right about the breeding - good lurchers have a lot of collie in them (some have a bit of terrier) which certainly helps with the turning of a rabbit. You need a lower centre of gravity than a greyhound and not everyone will agree but I think too much hound also sacrifices intelligence for eagerness.
I spose you might turn up a half decent dog from a rescue place but how would you know with a young dog? Bit embarassing taking a rescued dog back to a rescue centre.
I went halfs on a dog with a friend of mine a few years ago and we did hardly any training with it - just took her out a few times and she worked it out for herself. She stays close until we get a rabbit in the light and then trots up to it until the rabbit decides it's time to leg-it, then bang she's off and when she does catch she grips well and releases a live rabbit as soon as she's told.
I've never been ferreting with dogs - how does that work - do you still use nets?

phil · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:13 pm Post subject:

A dog that can mark a rabbit underground for you is priceless,saves time netting empty burrows.The dog can pick up any bolters from holes you have missed,

blowin · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:57 pm Post subject:

dara · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Mayo

I think hares are fairly plentiful at the moment but have noticed a decline in rabbits around here - i think the wet summers are'nt helping. I never thought about it much before - the only spiritual association i've ever given to hares is a good slosh of brandy in the pot - delicious!

lofty · Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 65 Location: north mayo

i also thought there was a decline in hares and rabbits. Was out lamping foxes the last two nights had havent failed to see at least five hares and the place was alive with rabbits. I suppose the populations move in cycles to a certain extent