lurcher

[mybutty]

i got from a resue 2+ years ago a lurcher bitch. at the time i also had a 13 year old mongrel. the lurcher was well under weight scared of her own shadow. and very nervous. she could'ne seen to relax and was on alert all the time. the dogs got on well with eachother and after about a year the lurcher had put on weight was more confident and could relax alot more and could even go to sleep while in our company. but a few weeks before last xmas we had to have our mongrel put down. at first the lurcher was fine did'nt seem to bother her that her friend was gone. but over the last few months. she has got alot more nervous.jumps at the slightest noise or movement. and just seems so unhappy. she eats fine and loves her walks. but in doors she just mopes about. i was going to take her to the vets but thought i'd ask on here first to see if anyone had any ideas on how i could make her happy again. thanks for any replys

[RATTER15]

What do you mean by "mopes about" precisely?

What cross is the lurcher?

[RATTER15]

How often and for how long do you walk her.
How often is she able to run off lead?

[mybutty]

we walk her for an hour in the moning she's on the lead for about 5-10 minuets. she loves her ball . and chases it and obeys us with the aide of the ball. shes not into any type of food for a reward. shes just interested in her ball. we play with her in the garden throughout the day. but latley after a few throws of her ball she just leaves it as though she does'ne want to play anymore. but when out walking she's always up for chasing her ball.by moping i mean she just stands there with her head down. and slowly walking around the house then she goes and lies down in my daughters room. its as though she's reverting back to how she was when we first got her. but she's still loving towards us. the man at the rescue said she was a lurcher that any dog croosed with a greyhound was a lurcher and thats all i know

[RATTER15]

>>the man at the rescue said she was a lurcher that any dog croosed with a greyhound was a lurcher and thats all i know<<

That is not right lol, A lurcher is actually a cross between a running dog (greyhound or whippet) and a working dog (Terrier or Collie) specifically bred for catching a quarry. it sounds like your dog is either ill or bored. can you take it for more frequent walks to see if you can find that lost sparkle, Greyhound crosses are very often found lazing around the home but will usually come to life when off the lead. I would be tempted to pop her into the vet first to make sure she is fit and healthy and take it from there.

[RATTER15]

I hasten to add, the working and running dogs I mentioned are just examples, many other crosses have and are still used to create the required lurcher.

[mybutty]

thanks very much for your adice. iv'e made a appointment for her to see the vet ar 3.30 this afternoon.

[ladybirder]

Would you let us know how you get on please. X

[lankeela]

I would suggest the obvious answer is to get her a companion - go back to the rescue and I bet they will be over the moon to hear how well she is doing and that you want another.

[RATTER15]

Totally agree with Lankeela, we still need to make sure the hound is in good fettle first.

[mybutty]

well i'm back. i feel that it was a waste of time really. he took her temerature. which was a bit high but he said that might be the stress. he said her eyes where sore. put dye in them and gave us some cream to put in her eyes for a week gave her a pain killer injection and an injection for fleas and mites even though i said she had been treated for worms and fleas last month when she had her booster . i said she seemed depressed and could anything be done and he said no. good job i took my daughter with as i could'nt understand what he was saying alot of the time. he said if she was'nt any better in a week to bring her back for a blood test.

[lankeela]

Can you try walking her with another dog and see how she reacts? I think she probably misses the old dog who was her 'guardian' and would appreciate another one to look out for her.

[lankeela]

You could save the life of one of these by offering a home:

http://www.animallife...and-Dogs-at-Risk-list

[pastafreak]

She may be the type of dog that thrives on having a companion...many lurchers do.
I beg to differ on RATTER's definition of whippets and Greyhounds as 'running dogs'....they are sighthounds.

[penelope2]

Or 'gazehounds' which originated from Egypt.

[pastafreak]

'gazehounds'...I'd forgotten I'd read about that.....it's a very pretty term.

[RATTER15]

Pasta, I do agree, I was using the phrase "running dog" loosely, as a dog bred for running and chasing but of course they are actually sighthounds, I stand corrected. :)

I often use terminology that goes back to my past lifetime of hunting with lurchers and terriers.

[pastafreak]

Lol @ Ratter....tho they sure do run!

[lankeela]

Also known as 'Longdogs'!

[penelope2]

Like the Irish Wolfhound Ratter15. I've got two, brilliant dogs.

[pastafreak]

Ratter has Wolfies also....:-)