Sight Hounds

Bredabe

Hi, our dogs are getting on a bit and sooner than later will be heading to the rainbow bridge. :(
As we are not getting any younger ourselves, we were talking about getting a more low maintenance dog, we were talking to a sight hound parent in the park and fell in love with the dog.
I know nothing about them, the only drawback so far is that we need one who barks or makes some kind of treating noise if someone comes to the house.
anyone got any ideas what variety if any do this along with the low maintenance of a sight hound?

Ms Doubtfire1

I am owned by a sighthound - a lurcher to be specific. He needs a little bit of exercise about 3 * 15 minutes a day somewhere he can do zoomies - they love to run for a short time. They are generally called 60mph couch potatoes.
Once he's had his zoomies he heads home and sleeps for hours. Rain? sorry Mum, not going outside.He can hold it in for near 15 hours. IF it's raining. He does bark if someone is at the door and his growls can be terrifying. Low maintenance regarding grooming, but nails need clipping every 6 weeks or so. Never needs a bath (except when he has rolled in foxpoo). He's the funniest, goofiest dog I've ever had..he loves snuggling up and loves his blanket even more...you can't go wrong with a lurcher!!

tk123

Our friend has a lurcher and he's the opposite to what everyone on here describe them as! He's hyper - like never stops chasing the ball until he's about to collapse!

Ms Doubtfire1

tk123 wrote: »

Our friend has a lurcher and he's the opposite to what everyone on here describe them as! He's hyper - like never stops chasing the ball until he's about to collapse!

probably crossed with a collie or a lab. That is the thing with lurchers - they can be crossed with any breed and do take on their traits sometimes. The pictures I've attached is of a lurcher youngster just taken into a rescue - and his heritage is clearly visible. Dobie or rottie. But, if you want to play it safe - go for a greyhound...:-). i'm just biased...i LOVE my lurcher. :-)

kylith

I have a lurcher who will happily hike around the mountains for hours and who goes nuts if he doesn't get about 5k a day. That's the thing with lurchers: exercise needs will be dictated by what they're crossed with as much as the sighthound half.

However, OP, there are plenty of full Greyhounds in rescues who really are 30mph couch potatoes and only need about 20 minutes a couple of times a day.

Roaster

I've 4 lurchers and they are lazy b******!

Having said that, when I bring them up to the woods they're like lunatics sprinting around the place FOR A GOOD 5 mins and then they're knackered.

I find an hour of walking (throw in that 5 minute sprint) and they're fine. There are days that we can't get them out either and they're still fine.

I'm stilling trying to get my place back on the sofa :mad:

Ms Doubtfire1

they are gorgeous!!!

Roaster

Ms. Doubtfire1, I don't know how, where and when, but I will be dognapping that wonderful specimen. Be on alert!!!

Ms Doubtfire1

Roaster wrote: »

Ms. Doubtfire1, I don't know how, where and when, but I will be dognapping that wonderful specimen. Be on alert!!!  :D

Thank you I shall pass the compliment on..:-)

Ms Doubtfire1

Ms Doubtfire1 wrote: »

probably crossed with a collie or a lab. That is the thing with lurchers - they can be crossed with any breed and do take on their traits sometimes. The pictures I've attached is of a lurcher youngster just taken into a rescue - and his heritage is clearly visible. Dobie or rottie. But, if you want to play it safe - go for a greyhound...:-). i'm just biased...i LOVE my lurcher. :-)

I was just looking at that boy earlier today and wondering how on Earth I can convince my other half we need him in our lives! I was thinking Dobie also. He's a stunner.

peasant

The other low maintenance alternative is a BIG dog...our 60 kg couch potato is quite happy to do 0 mph on a rainy day.
The scary bark gets thrown in for free.

(you'd want to be reasonably un-frail though for when the 60 kg couch potato decides to be a 60 kg lap dog)

jellybear

Our lurcher Milo just turned two and he's definitely settled down a lot!! He's currently lying on the couch having a snooze and he regularly does this during the day if I'm cooking or cleaning. He definitely gets bursts of energy and will insist you play with him!! However as others said a quick 10 minutes play and he's happy out!
I know people say they are so gentle and friendly however our little man isn't great with strangers or other dogs. He had a couple of setbacks in his training but is coming on well with gentle encouragement.

jellybear

Oh and here are a few pictures of Milo...although most people on here know all about him

Ms Doubtfire1

another lurcher/sighthound nut - love it. :-)

jellybear

Actually, this dish holder might be of interest to some long neck and long nose doggy owners. Got it in homesense in Blanchardstown. Milo was getting a lot of water up his nose with a normal bowl so this works perfectly

Dial Hard

So many gorgeous doggies on this thread!

kylith

Since everyone else is doing it

Finn, during and after walks

Ms Doubtfire1

hahahah that face clearly says: do NOT disturb me.:-)