Dog News

[Nocturnal Submission]

So, OTF, I'm going to lead a lot of help here!

My wife and I had sort of held out the possibility of my teenage daughter being allowed a dog. It's complicated, very complicated, but whilst it wasn't something that we wanted there would be reasons to recommend it.

Anyway, said daughter, without telling us, went out and bought a dog yesterday and has presented us with something of a fait accomplit. I'm not happy but prepared to give it a go; my wife doesn't know yet and I can't say that I'm looking forward to telling her!

So, he's a lurcher/greyhound cross called Buddy. Bit thin, quite placid, very friendly but needs his nails clipped because he's already given my throat a mild goring!

Has anyone owned a lurcher, a greyhound or a cross? Advice? I presume he's going to need a LOT of exercise!

[johnr]

Yes, a lot of exercise, but they tire very quickly (and then take up a lot of room on the sofa/bed/floor, endlessly sleeping)

[Nocturnal Submission]

Yes, a lot of exercise, but they tire very quickly (and then take up a lot of room on the sofa/bed/floor, endlessly sleeping)

OK, I'm liking the last bit.

[Nocturnal Submission]

[Femme Folle]

OMG he's adorable!

[Femme Folle]

The best advice I can give is to invest in some basic (positive reinforcement) obedience classes while he is still young. A group class will help to socialise him with other dogs and people as well as teaching him how to behave. The whole family should be involved so that everyone is consistent. You can't have one family member allowing misbehaviour. Training makes dogs happy, which makes the humans happy. Start as you mean to go on, and enjoy that baby!

[Nocturnal Submission]

Thanks for the advice, FF. I'm letting my daughter take responsibility for her choices so I'll see what she has planned, though I'll certainly allow myself to make the odd suggestion. She's currently studying animal management at college which, allied to her natural commonsense, gives me considerable faith in her abilities.

I just broke the news to my wife. Her reaction was as I expected and may well have neatly undone any benefits which she'd just accrued at her lunchtime osteopathy appointment!

[nmrfox]

Max, who we adopted just over a month ago has lurcher in him, as well as about 4 other breeds. He's 11 years old and as fit as a fiddle and has just started walking off lead when I take him to the fields for a run around. Whilst walking him is fun, its also tiring as he walks/runs/snuffles at a really good pace, so prepare yourselves for that. However, as johnr right points out, once he's had a few miles under his paws when he gets home, he completely crashes out, so you do get some respite. Agree also with FF in getting him along to training as that will make a huge difference for you all. Good luck and if you ever need any help/advice, please ask away NS.

[Femme Folle]

Has your wife seen the baby yet? He's a heart-melter.

[Hot Pepsi]

Sweet boy!

[Nocturnal Submission]

Max, who we adopted just over a month ago has lurcher in him, as well as about 4 other breeds. He's 11 years old and as fit as a fiddle and has just started walking off lead when I take him to the fields for a run around. Whilst walking him is fun, its also tiring as he walks/runs/snuffles at a really good pace, so prepare yourselves for that. However, as johnr right points out, once he's had a few miles under his paws when he gets home, he completely crashes out, so you do get some respite. Agree also with FF in getting him along to training as that will make a huge difference for you all. Good luck and if you ever need any help/advice, please ask away NS.

Cheers, Foxy. I certainly will.

Buddy's currently sleeping again with his long legs hanging over the edge of his basket and with my daughter lying under her quilt on the sofa beside him. Quite the pair!

[Nocturnal Submission]

Has your wife seen the baby yet? He's a heart-melter.

I just sent her a photo. I got asked slightly awkward questions about how big he'll get and whether or not he's been house trained!

[Nocturnal Submission]

Cheers, Foxy. I certainly will.

Buddy's currently sleeping again with his long legs hanging over the edge of his basket and with my daughter lying under her quilt on the sofa beside him. Quite the pair!

[pebblethefish]

Is that a toy burger in the foreground? That's just weird.

[Nocturnal Submission]

Yeh. It's squeaks too. Mercifully it doesn't seem to be one of his favourites.

[Nocturnal Submission]

Note too the carpet cleaner and refresher placed close to hand on the windowsill.

[Stumpy Pepys]

I read somewhere that greyhounds were quite lazy dogs and didn't need a lot of exercise. Never owned one, mind.

[pebblethefish]

The ones that I bet on certainly are.

[Kevin S]

Your daughter will go far and in time you'll thank her for this.

Greyhounds are big but fold up well when required.

[nmrfox]

I read somewhere that greyhounds were quite lazy dogs and didn't need a lot of exercise. Never owned one, mind.

Some family and friends of ours have adopted ex-racing greyhounds over the years,. Without exception, they all said that all the dog would require was a 30 minute walk, including a short sprint or two, and then they would promptly laze around for the remaining 23 hours and 30 minutes quite happily doing nothing.

[Kevin S]

An autumn greyhound sprint, yesterday.

[Nocturnal Submission]

I read somewhere that greyhounds were quite lazy dogs and didn't need a lot of exercise. Never owned one, mind.

Yes, I read that too. He's certainly likes his sleep.

I think I may just have yet another teenager in the house.

[Nocturnal Submission]

Your daughter will go far and in time you'll thank her for this.

Greyhounds are big but fold up well when required.

She's wanted a dog since whenever and has had a very tough year, so I'm absolutely delighted for her.

How lean should this guy be? He doesn't seem to have much flesh on him.

[ursus arctos]

Might your wife's opinion be swayed by the greyhound's historical association with Polish nobility?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pob%C3%B3g_coat_of_arms

[Nocturnal Submission]

An autumn greyhound sprint, yesterday.

I like the jerky camerawork as the greyhound comes flying out of the shadows.

We've got a decent-sized back garden, a large grassed area in the middle of the close and some nice parks nearby, plus the Surrey countryside, so we should have the exercise bit covered.