Sighthound Sightings

[Gazinghound]

'Twas most fortuitous timing!!

Two sighthounds happening to stroll down the same street?! Fantastic! Maybe you'll meet them one day...=)

[rockabillygoaty]

Its so strange reading this topic and your posts!
Being in Wales, there are loads of Sighthounds everywhere.
Saluki's are being crossed with, Whips, Greys, Beds, etc to make lurchers.
There are loads of whips and Greys that are exercised in the fields around where Aladdin goes, so its great to see Aladdin run with them.
The difference with a Sal and other hounds, is that a Sal has a smoother stride, and makes the other dogs look as if they are always on super speed, lol.
There are a lot of Rescue Greys as well, so its not so unusual for us to come across lanky sighthounds, lol.
There are though, not many Pure Sals near us, or not many that I know of anyway.
There is a guy in theh next village, that has three bitches and a dog pures.
He stopped me one day and asked me if I was interested in breeding Aladdin with one of his bitches, but Aladdin was way too young then.
I think that now you have your own Sals, you will come across other sighthounds regularly.
Its like having a car that you always wanted, and as soon as you get one, there are always shining examples passing you, lol.

[grizabella]

I wish I lived in the UK where there are sighthounds everywhere! Over here, we don't really get Saluki-lurchers much if at all, because the breed isn't very common, the only breeders are show breeders, as there isn't coursing over here. (I'm against hunting live animals for sport anyway) There are quite a few Greyhounds around, lots of ex-racers who have been retired, and one can see Whippets around occasionally but rarely other breeds or Lurchers.

It's funny though, a few of my friends are really into sighthounds as well, one (who is on here occasionally) fosters Greyhounds and is looking to adopt, one is getting a Borzoi puppy tomorrow, and another who'd like a Greyhound in the future.

[rockabillygoaty]

What you have to realise, is that Saluki's were and are originaly pure hunting dogs!
Not just pretty show ring pets.
Being from Wales, where hunting is a big thing, and getting bigger every day, with young people getting into the country sports more.
The dogs here get a chance of doing what they are bred for.
As you know, there is no nicer feeling, than walking down the road with a Pure bred Sal on the lead, and everybody commenting on him/her.
(Apart from the idiots who come out with 'Dont you feed that dog etc")
Swell head comes to mind, as my head swells big time, lol.
I love the attention we get, (Well! Aladdin gets anyway) lol.
Everybody is so impressed with him and the way he struts his stuff, lol.
But then when we are get onto the flat, and he is allowed off the lead to run, then the anti is risen!
SMILE! There is a smile from one end of my face to the other, and it soon spreads to other people as they watch him run. lol.
And thats just when he is free running himself! When there are other dogs in the chase, especialy other sighthounds, its a sight to behold, lol.
So imagine what you are going to experience when she gets behind that lure for the first time.
WOW!
Once you get her out there, there will be no turning back, and you will want more, lol.
There is no way, I would let Aladdin get into a situation that would harm him intentionaly, so lure coursing is an ideal way of letting them do what comes nturaly in a controled inviroment!
If you know what I am getting at?
You just have to youtube 'Saluki coursing' to get an idea of what to expect from it all.
Let us know straight away mind how she gets on, and share on S&C as well mind, dont leave them out, lol.

[grizabella]

Yes they were originally hunting dogs, and the standard that show breeders works toward is based on this purpose, show dogs are not bred for being 'pretty', the idea is for correct conformation, soundness and movement so they are physically capable of doing what a Saluki is meant to do. As I am very much against hunting 'sports', I much prefer the idea of using an artificial lure, the dogs can still do what they are meant to do.

I get a bit swell headed as well, most people don't know what a Saluki is though, I am often asked 'what kind of cross is she?" at which I tell them about Salukis and how they are an ancient pure breed. I've been lucky in that I haven't had any 'are you starving your dog?' comments. There is really nothing like watching a Saluki running flat out, almost flying!

I've seen some videos of hounds lure coursing, it looks great fun for them. I wonder how Bella will go on her first try..

[rockabillygoaty]

She will enjoy it I recon, I know you will as well!
Been talking this afternoon, to a few people who have sighthounds, i:e Greys and whips. and two of them have mentioned looking into Sals as a next dog, and one woman has, I have been told, just aquired a 4 month old dog pup. But seeing is in the beliving as they say.
She apparently takes in a lot of rescue dogs, so we will see, I hope so anyway, as she gives them a lot of her time as far as I see when out running Aladdin.

[grizabella]

That would be lovely if she has got a young Saluki, there seem to be a lot of them (and Saluki lurchers) in rescue in the UK.

[rockabillygoaty]

Mostly the Lurcher I recon.
Thing is, people take on a Saluki, thinking great 'they will be good hunters', or 'How pretty they are', but they dont realise how independant they are, and lose heart with the dog not long after!
Then the poor Sal /SalX, gets thrown away.
Tell you the truth, i do see why they want to cross some breeds to get the so called best of both breeds for hunting, but they end up with about 9 pups usualy, that they have to find homes for!
Not just the one they wanted to breed for.
Thats when the dogs are offered cheap, or free to anyone that has a use for them.
Thats when trouble starts.
I know at the moment its a thing to have a Lurcher again!
Couple of years back it was Staff Bull terriers, or anything crossed with them.
So there are many families around that have a solid chunk of meat with teeth, walking around playing with their kids.
They have now started putting Bull terrier cross into Lurchers, to make it more agresive.

[grizabella]

That is a real shame. I can completely understand why people might want a Saluki, but they can be very difficult and naughty for people who aren't prepared for the sort of dog that they are. I think if people are to breed dogs at all, it would be ethical for them to provide for the puppy until a SUITABLE home can be found. I feel that is the responsibility that comes with breeding.
There's still a big thing for Staffies over here, they are really lovely and people-friendly dogs, but there are so many in rescue because they are overbred by backyard breeders. I would not say that Staffies and Bull Terriers are aggressive, that's a big generalisation, many- most actually, are great with kids. I think breeding any dog specifically for aggression can only end it tears, it is very worrying if this is the direction people are taking with Lurchers. I hope more people get their Lurchers from rescue as the population gets larger.

[rockabillygoaty]

It is getting a lot more of a thing over here with the rescue idea!
Most of the Greys I bump into are rescues, some even imported from Ireland.
Also, Lurchers are going the same rout more and more.
Mind you though, the people who take on responsibility of a rescue dog, do it with the same enthusiasm as people who buy Peds.

[rockabillygoaty]

This is the kind of sight we are used to over this side!
Was walking aladdin in the Rec fields this afternoon, when we bumped into these three ladies with 11 dogs in all between them.
Including 2 Whips (one was an American whippet so she said), 2 Greyhounds, and a Smooth 6 month old Saluki dog!
Aladdin was put back a bit when they all aproached him, but soon came around!
He does 1's, 2's ok, but 11?
Lol.

[grizabella]

I wish I could randomly come across 5 sighthounds over here! I believe I see a Keeshond also? Nice. Bella doesn't like big groups of dogs either, she gets very nervous when I take her to obedience classes. She's only been twice so it's still new, and she does relax a bit eventually, she just takes her time. She seems to do better with 1 on 1 or 1 on 2 playdates like Aladdin!

[rockabillygoaty]

Aladdin is getting better mind, given his own space and time to come around!

[rockabillygoaty]

Well! Ive been meeting a few sighthounds regular now on our trips out around our area!

www.youtube.com/user/Rockabillygoaty?feature=mhee

Actualy given a home to a young red boy called Alfi!
He was a rescue, and didnt get on with the dogs in the new home.
He got on with them, but was dominating the whips.
So I said Aladdin and myself would see how he got on with us.

[Gazinghound]

Yikes! 8O Maybe I ought to move to Wales? Ha, ha. Sounds like my kinda place, if that's the case! Actually, I did know that Lurchers are far more plentiful in the UK than the US--which is somewhat sad for me, as I adore them, yet have never met one in person.

Hehe, you may be right...having your own sighthound might somehow cause you to become a magnet for others. I NEVER expected to see a couple with a Saluki standing outside the local movie theatre I use. Who knew another one lived so close to us? I could have missed my movie for chatting with them that day, lol. The same thing does happen with cars. Every time my parents get one, I start seeing the same model and color everywhere. D: Either we're trendsetters, or I'm just paying more attention to that type of car after it becomes ours! Fortunately, I haven't seen all that many other examples of my beloved neon lime green Ford Fiesta on the road this year...and I only saw ONE other trunk version. All the rest were hatchbacks. xD

I would have thought that Australia would be a perfect place for Salukis (or any sighound) to live, so I was surprised when I found out that they're so rare there. I mean, even rarer than here.

I would never hunt and kill a live animal, but I believe there must be ways of closely simulating the experience so that dogs can act upon the natural instincts for which they've been carefully bred, and preserve their abilities for future generations. I imagine that if you tried to scent your artifical lure/prey like a real animal, that might help a lot...I'm not sure if anyone actually does that. At any rate, the purpose of shows is indeed to evaluate the best breeding stock, using breed standards designed to help judges choose those dogs which would be the healthiest and the best at their original set of tasks.

The feeling that comes when everyone's admiring your dog (and Salukis do of course draw comments like poo draws flies) is absolutely fantastic. When they see them in motion, forget it...the beauty and the poetry of it is overwhelming, magical. When I see Ullie racing with her siblings and other relatives, it's just incredible. She makes me so proud just by being herself. Fortunately I haven't had anyone accuse me of starving my girl either, but I know that that's one of the more common concerns sighthound people get, and her lithe physique has certainly received many a remark and compliment. Trying to memorize a brief definition of "Saluki" is helpful, because more often than not, you wind up rattling it off to many folks who will be wondering what they are!

It stinks when people fail to do their research and buy a dog based upon looks and assumptions and impulses. There are SO many ways to find the perfect breed or mix for yourself, and even if you do your homework and it just doesn't work out, there's no excuse for not taking responsibility for the animals whom depend on you. If I had to give one away, I'd find a good home for him/her the way a reputable breeder does. =( Being "in fashion" creates big problems for breeds that way. Puppy mills are a major issue here in the US, as are "backyard breeders" who breed randomly without having the first clue about dogs or genetics. Their motive is money, from the clueless people who WANT a certain breed because they saw it on TV or in a movie or in a celebrity's purse, and it looks cool. "Designer dogs" (mixed breeds with combined names such as Cockapoo or Chiweenie) are all the rage. Pits and other bully breeds or mixes are suffering terribly from being commonly owned and bred by those who want the "bad" image, but have no business living with even a Yorkie. Dog fighting and irresponsible raising and handling lead to a public image that's gone from stellar, in past decades, to rather miserable today. Many people revile them because they just can't blame the deed instead of the breed. Painting all dogs of a certain breed with one brush is no better than racism, in my opinion.

Could not agree more about the responsibility of a breeder (you bring these lives into the world, you'd better be prepared to commit to making sure that they will be well cared for as long as they live!), Staffies & Bull Terriers (again, great dogs, and Staffies are popular here as well), rescue (entails the same responsibility as obtaining a purebred--sometimes even more if the dog comes with "a history" and special needs), and breeding for aggressiveness. A protective, guarding instinct is one thing, but all this just breeding for more aggressive dogs? It's already caused far too many tragedies. I mean, every time a dog has to be euthanised because s/he can't be reliably rehomed! :*{ Man may have created dog, but he also does unbelievably terrible things to him. Bully Lurchers sound all right to me if the goal isn't "increased aggression."

A Whippet from America, I take it?
Wow, 11 doggies--quite a pack, and nicely varied! Lucky! It took Ulla a few weeks to get used to the big group in her handling class. She can now handle large gatherings with ease, but often prefers smaller ones...she's still not exactly the most social of pooches. With time and support, even shy dogs can adjust to being surrounded by their fellows.

Aiyee, that wound up being very long...but you two had a good discussion there, and I haven't read this board in a few months now.