Rosie is growing!

[diamondlil]

After losing my dog Ellie, I knew if I waited too long I'd find chosing a new companion harder, so I started thinking about what breed or type of dog i wanted, then what I could offer to a new dog. Ellie was part pitbull, but pits are a banned breed in this country. There are literally hundreds of staffordshire bull terriers and staff mixes in rescues in this country, but the rescues I contacted wouldn't consider me because of my working patterns.
In fact the only rescue that didn't turn me down was for greyhounds and lurchers, who said that as long as that type of dog got at least one good run a day it would settle well but they didn't have any cat-safe dogs available.
So I spotted a litter of whippet x bedlington terriers on a website, tried to resist but I just wasn't happy without a dog in my home. So I visited the breeder, met Rosie and her mum and came home with a huge smile on my face!

 

[diamondlil]

Rosie is a totally different character to Ellie, initially much more aloof, without the instant faithfulness, but she's been very keen to get out and meet and greet every new person and dog on our walks. Watching her first attempts at running fast without tripping over her own legs, so clumsy and uncoordinated, literally made me laugh out loud during the early days

 

[diamondlil]

I found Rosie's recall was totally absent if she found something that interested her, so for safety I got a 30-foot tracker lead. Every time she did come back I made sure to give heaps of extravagent praise. (Treats didn't work at all, when Rosie's out and having fun she's too excited to eat)

 

[diamondlil]

Here's some pictures from our walk yesterday, showing Rosie haring off to play with some dogs in the distance............and coming back when called! After I've caught her attention by whistling, I wave my arms and jump like a lunatic until she's on her way back, then greet her with big cuddles and lots of praise when she comes to me.
I've got a reason to smile when I get in from work in the mornings, this hairy wiggly worm waits for me to get changed and have a drink and then we go off to meet her friends and have some fun.

 

[kshannon]

She is precious!

 

[Nanci]

She is so strange but beautiful! I bet if there was a breed like that, they would be very popular. She reminds me of German Wire-haired Pointers.

 

[diamondlil]

She is so strange but beautiful! I bet if there was a breed like that, they would be very popular. She reminds me of German Wire-haired Pointers.

She is certainly a funny girl, she's a real clown! More than one puzzled dog-walker has guessed baby wire-haired pointer when they've met her. The cross is a traditional one to get a dog for rabbiting, with the speed of the whippet combined with the harsh coat for working in rough ground, basically giving you a knee-high lurcher.

 

[RavenSpirit360]

She is really pretty! Has quite the intelligent look in her eyes as well..

 

[diamondlil]

Thanks, I'm not sure if that look is intelligence or just crazy, but she's a bundle of fun to be with. Today she was teasing a collie by stealing it's ball and running away until it would chase her, then bounced all over a trio of elderly bichons. I'm having some success with her retrieving toys indoors, but outside she's too busy running!

 

[ceduke]

She is beautiful! I've always loved Bedlingtons.

 

[ceduke]

Oops - hit Post too soon, I meant to add...

Do you think she will lighten in color like a Beddie?

 

[diamondlil]

I'n not sure about how she'll change, I've only seen grey/black whippet/bedlington adults before.

 

[dogsNdragons]

OMG, she is to cute!
I like her wired coat, I was expecting a more Bedlington type coat.
I can't wait to see how she matures.

 

[dogsNdragons]

I'n not sure about how she'll change, I've only seen grey/black whippet/bedlington adults before.

Whippets can come in any color and Bedlingtons are

quoted from BTCA http://bedlingtonamerica.com/standard.htm :

Color

Blue, sandy, liver, blue and tan, sandy and tan, liver and tan. In bi-colors the tan markings are found on the legs, chest, under the tail, inside the hindquarters and over each eye. The topknots of all adults should be lighter than the body color. Patches of darker hair from an injury are not objectionable, as these are only temporary. Darker body pigmentation of all colors is to be encouraged.

 

[diamondlil]

Whippets can come in any color and Bedlingtons are

quoted from BTCA http://bedlingtonamerica.com/standard.htm :

Color

Blue, sandy, liver, blue and tan, sandy and tan, liver and tan. In bi-colors the tan markings are found on the legs, chest, under the tail, inside the hindquarters and over each eye. The topknots of all adults should be lighter than the body color. Patches of darker hair from an injury are not objectionable, as these are only temporary. Darker body pigmentation of all colors is to be encouraged.

What I mean is, I've only met a couple of the same cross as Rosie in real life, and also in the pictures I've found, they were all various shades of black and grey.
Rosie's mum was a liver bedlington, her dad was a dark brindle whippet.

 

[diamondlil]

Here's Rosie helping me find butterflies, she's very good at flushing them!

 

[danielle]

She's beautiful Janine I ould have brought her home too.

 

[diamondlil]

Thanks Danielle! She's so much fun and she's brought joy back into my life. Her bond with me grew slowly at first, because I was (and still am) grieving for Ellie's loss, but she's got such a funny, loving character that's perfect for me!

 

[dwyn127]

Congrats on your new addition J-9, I hope you both enjoy each others company.

 

[diamondlil]

Thanks Danny! We've just got back from a walk. Rosie got to play with 2 labradors and a staffie, meet some swedish exchange students and chase a magpie.