What's a good survival dog??

Greenjacket what is a lurcher? Can you give me any more information about them? I think that you have a really good point about being able to pick them, stuff them in a bag and climb up a cliff.

The more that I think about this the more I think the best survival dog would have to be terrian and climalte specific. If you were in wide open spaces you would want a dog that would be fast enough to run down game like a Sight hound. If were some place where you were in danger of being attacked you would want a big tough *game* dog. How well would the dogs that we have listed do in dense jungle?

Shawn
 
Just to clear anything up, I wasn't suggesting any dog would be much good against a bear or wolf if it came down to fighting the beast. My input was that from what I have read, wild animals tend to avoid dogs as much as possible, in an instinctual way. Don't know why. And I could be wrong. Like I said, just from what I seem to remember reading. Or course there are exceptions; in those cases, pretty much any dog will NOT be adequate. Better to have something strapped to your hip, like e-utopia said.

Still, I'll stick with my Rott.

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iktomi
 
Don't get me wrong, I love Huskies but they wouldn't be my first choice. They are not the best hot dogs.

Lurcher: think small stocky Greyhound, or miniture rough haired Afgan. Don't quote me on this, as I'm sure there is someone out there who knows the right formula. A lurcher is a bit of a mongrel; its a cross of Greyhound and a few other things like Border Collie and Whippet. I'm not sure the exact mix as they do vary greatley; both in size, weight, shape and coat. My favourate size is a bitch, light coloured, with a short course coat and not overly thin. 1/2 to 1/3rd the size of a racing greyhound, with a bit more body. I'm no expert, but I've seen them course hares with the greatest of efficiency. I've even seen a pair take out a large dog fox for fun. No cover to take, the fox completely lost the plot. He lasted less than a minute; most of which time the lurchers ran circles round him. It was a mistake, and the lurchers were out of range to call back (they probably wouldn't have taken a blind bit of notice of a whistle blast; only finished sooner).
I would have one on the small size, guessing: about than 30 lbs or so.

The big difference with dogs now is they are either from working stock or are show bred. The latter is a disaster. If in dought put some mongrel into them.

[This message has been edited by GREENJACKET (edited 09-20-2000).]
 
Go to www.lurcher.com this site has a hole lotta info.Hope it helps
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Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn my god do you learn.
C.S. Lewis
 
I have a Labrador Retriever (Chloe) that is great with the kids and wouldn't hurt a fly and has a great temperment. I think that this is an important consideration if you have a family. I wouldn't trust a Rot or Pit Bull or some of the other "agressive" dogs mentioned here around my kids. The lab is trained to retrieve ducks for hunting, but mostly is a companion and pet. I wouldn't say she is overly intelligent, but she is easily trained. Here are some pics if interested.

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Kevin Miller
My Personal Interests Page
kevinandtrish@sympatico.ca
Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face always.
 
King Tut, thanks for the help; I knew that Lurchers' were difficult to explain. The docked picture of the Whitehouse had me in fits
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I like them on the smaller side, but frankly you can have them anyway you want. My kind of survival dog.
 
MrCas and GREENJACKET I'm glad I could be of some use.(I love that pic to)Of what I know of lurchers they would be great in a survival situation,(origionally being poachers dogs)provided basic needs are met, suppossedly they are very robust dogs althought I haven't had the pleasure of owning one.
In response to KevenMillerCan I have never heard of a dog that couldn't be trusted with kids provided the owner isn't a complete sap.
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Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn my god do you learn.
C.S. Lewis
 
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