Rescue dog

[masma]

We have been to a dog rescue centre to see a lovely collie/lurcher cross today in the hope of rehoming her, she is 12 months old but not been trained. We have to have a home check then fingers crossed she'll be ours. Can anyone give us some tips on making her move to us as easy as possible for her (and us)
Once she settles in we'll take her to training classes.

[ttfn]

Hi masma - I have no direct experience of rehoming this breed but no doubt someone will follow to give you advice. I believe the answer is love and company and more love. My sister has a lurcher (from 10 weeks old) and she is a brilliant pet, very affectionate and highly entertaining. Just so long as you're not houseproud and don't mind a hand with the digging - either on the garden or lawn! Good luck - hope you get her.

[lil75]

My parents had a lurcher, she was lovely and good as gold, although when she got excited she used to nip ur bum!!!! Good luck!

[ttfn]

lil - if you are still there I added to the post below for you

[lil75]

ttfn, ok, I shall check it out!

[masma]

lil75 - I know just how you're feeling at this sad time, we lost our beloved Jetspoon (my Avitar) 5 weeks ago. We'd known her for 14 years and she'd been 'our girl' for 12 1/2 years. At the time of letting her go we said we'd never go through the hurt that her passing caused us but... the longer we've gone on without a dog the harder it's become. We have to have a home check from the RSPCA then, fingers crossed, Coco will be able to come home to us. There'll never be another Jetspoon but hopefully Coco will fit in just fine.
ttfn - thank you for your post, we're difinitely not houseproud and if she wants to help with the gardening she can ;-)

[ttfn]

I love your avatar masma. My screensaver is the best in the world too! Don't get me wrong about lurchers, they are just a breed who love being outside in all weathers so the carpets get a bit of hammering. But it is a small price to pay.

[masma]

Jetspoon was a German Shepherd/Lurcher cross (although I'm sure there were 55 other varieties in there somewhere!) She was the most gentle dog you could wish for. As you said though she would stay out in all weathers without a care in the world.

[Nosha123]

Agree with the other advice above - love and attention
Doesnt sound like you are lacking in either!!

Once she is there - you're instincts will kick in as to how to help her settle best! She'll be getting the best home too.. what a lucky young dog!!

Good luck!

(PS.. I have heard that a blanket she has been sleeping on at the kennels may help - since it will smell really strongly of herself... you might want to see if they can loan it to you for a while!!! and your house will be full of new smells - and probably some of your lovely old dog too!)

[wolf63]

I adopted my second dog when he was five years old and he had not been castrated. He was so nervous that he was pulling his testicles up into his abdomen in fear of the world.

On the first night I decided to go as I meant to go on and made him up a bed in the spare bedroom. He was a Lab/GSD and was quite large and I really wasn't 100% sure that he was 'safe'.

He cried and whimpered so much that I let him sleep with me. He put his head on the pillow and cuddled into me and went to sleep. It was like he had always been there.

I have to admit that he was always a psycho and couldn't be let off the lead. But he was loyal and loving and I was upset for a long time when he died at the age of 14.

Enjoy your dog - being a female dog she will be much more intelligent than my mere male.

Having said that - I have the stupidest female cat in the world. Her brother is no genius but my little Princess is outstandingly stupid.

[masma]

Thank you all so much for your lovely replies, we're walking on egg shells at the moment as we still haven't had the dreaded home check. Thanks again xx

[ttfn]

So masma - you are bitten with the lurcher cross bug then! As your home and garden were so well suited for Jetspoon I see no reason why you shouldn't pass with flying colours. Fingers x'd - I eagerly await more news of Coco.

[RATTER15]

A Lurcher X Collie, is a "lurcher"! A lurcher isn't actually a breed, a lurcher is a cross between a working dog and a hound, The worker, very often a Collie and a hound, very often a greyhound, The worker gives the dog intelligence and the hound for the speed, lurchers are generally bred for catching rabbits or fox in this country but have hunted all manner of beast all over the world.

A whippet X Terrier is also a common X for a smaller lurcher, more useful on rabbits hunting in smaller fields, can turn and out pace the bunny so much faster, the bigger lurchers are better for fox and bigger fields. Greyhound crosses are usually great pets, very docile and loving when at home, just beware with lurchers, they will usually chase anything that moves :) I have hunted with Lurchers for years, great dogs :)

[ttfn]

You are correct of course Ratter. When my sister got a lurcher I read up on them - didn't realsie they were know as 'traveller's dogs' either.

[RATTER15]

Well ttfn, no self respecting gypsy would be without a lurcher, a great companion that will provide him and his family with fresh meat everyday, mine would usually catch 15 to 20 rabbits on a good night with a lamp or when the ferret had chased them from their burrow.

[ttfn]

A dog that caught its own dinner - admirable. Apparently Ratter one should never leave a lurcher tied up outside a shop (or pub!) for fear of the gypsy recycling scheme

[RATTER15]

lolol, very true ttfn :)

[bld767]

We had a lurcher about 4 dogs ago - she was the loveliest, brightest, most affectionate dog you could wish for - and the silentest, greediist thief you ever met!
If she's been in kennels, her house-training might need some attention! Best of luck with your home check, and let us know how you get on!