While out on a shoot picking-up yesterday I saw a lurcher working as a picking-up dog. The bitch was very "greyhoundy" in looks and yet she was the equal of any of the other dogs present. I was told her dam was greyhound X pitbull ...x....greyhound x border collie and her sire was a lab.
She was very fast, faced any cover and was soft mouthed , she was also pretty obedient. Her owner told me that the only time he has any trouble from her when picking up or rough shooting is when a fox breaks cover. She was encouraged to kill foxes and is very keen on that job.
She is definitely just about the best crossbred dog I've seen working as a picking up dog.
Wullie
lurcher lab
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trekmoor
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lurcher lab
If at first you don't succeed .....find out if there is a booby prize !
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Don't do what doesn't work - do what does.
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Don't do what doesn't work - do what does.
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Springfield Pointers
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Re: lurcher lab
Sounds like a fun dog to have. I can't think why you would breed the blend though. There is no question that some mixes work out for the better, and rather emphasises the point that you get out what you put in. The exception rather than the rule I would think.
Re: lurcher lab
My Deerhound x whippet is better than most of the labs on the shoot here, without any hint of ego. Retrieves with a soft mouth, gets to runners faster than the labs or spaniels and swims without any hesitation. His only downfall is being solely a peg dog or picking up dog. He just doesn't get hunting a pattern for beating at all.
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trekmoor
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Re: lurcher lab
I think the bitch's owner originally got her as a pup because he wanted to kill foxes on his own bit of roughshooting land. He has two labs and it seems the pup just began to do the labs job too so he encouraged that in addition to the fox killing. The bitch is more greyhound looking than lab looking but is not very much taller than a lab.
He could certainly do well in scurries with her as her speed is terrific . Her owner says he tries to use her mainly for retrieving strong runners .....she's on top of them before they get going properly !
Wullie
He could certainly do well in scurries with her as her speed is terrific . Her owner says he tries to use her mainly for retrieving strong runners .....she's on top of them before they get going properly !
Wullie
If at first you don't succeed .....find out if there is a booby prize !
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Don't do what doesn't work - do what does.
.
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Don't do what doesn't work - do what does.
.
Re: lurcher lab
I've seen a few lurchers in the shooting field over the years, my kelpie x greyhound would hunt any cover but got too proficient at catching pheasants...
If he breeds a litter from that bitch let me know!
If he breeds a litter from that bitch let me know!
Re: lurcher lab
As a keeper, lurchers on a driven shoot is one of my pet hates!! Along with keepers wearing "camo" on a shoot day, it boils my blood so it does!!!
I've had a good few lurchers over the years but don't think the shooting field is the place for them.
I will now wind my neck in, take a sanatogen and wait for the abuse!!
I've had a good few lurchers over the years but don't think the shooting field is the place for them.
I will now wind my neck in, take a sanatogen and wait for the abuse!!
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Stihl 090
Re: lurcher lab
Agree with your first hate. A pikey looking lad on a local shoot has a lurcher he brings out, and I recall last year I bought a day for the old man and myself. Whilst waiting for the drive to get nearer the guns there was the normal pigeons which come out of the wood as its warm and gets little breeze in its location. I look up to see what these pigeons are up to to see this lurcher on hot pursuit of a roe doe or buck on a crested tree line. None of the keepers or people in charge had the balls to say something because of his lineage. I thought it was very bad behaviour on a shoot, he thought it funny. T**t!!Dawnrazor wrote:As a keeper, lurchers on a driven shoot is one of my pet hates!! Along with keepers wearing "camo" on a shoot day, it boils my blood so it does!!!
I've had a good few lurchers over the years but don't think the shooting field is the place for them.
I will now wind my neck in, take a sanatogen and wait for the abuse!!
Re: lurcher lab
Good thing I'm not easily offended - why on earth should a horribly trained lab who whinges and whines, picks birds then dumps them in favour of another and goes MIA be on a shoot but the lurcher shouldn't? Purely snobbery! A well trained, well mannered dog should be welcomed if he is needed.
Mine does not look at deer or livestock, is steady, silent and retrieves well - why not use him as a retriever?
Mine does not look at deer or livestock, is steady, silent and retrieves well - why not use him as a retriever?
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westcountry
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Re: lurcher lab
I worked lurchers for 25 years and was highly successful with them. However they are not gundogs and have no roll to play on a shooting day. There is one comes on our local small syndicate shoot and its a nice dog but a playful menace. I love lurchers with all my heart and have owned some of the best. But they have no place in the shooting field.