Ernest is a gorgeous 9-year-old Deerhound Cross — 64 cms (25 inches) to the shoulder, weight 20kg — who is being rehomed privately by his owner. He is in Upper Weardale, County Durham.
Ernest is a strong boy and his owner, who is almost 80, can no longer manage him if he pulls on the lead. His owner is sad to have to part with Ernest as he has owned him since he was a puppy. Ernest needs a home where he is your only pet. He isn’t used to living with children.
In the house, Ernest he is well behaved, likes to curl up on the sofa, and likes to be stroked. He is housetrained and OK to be left alone in the home for a while. He knows the commands sit and stay. He also knows come, but there is sometimes a delayed response! He is OK in the car.
He is walked on a long lead and he enjoys exploring in the verges, and standing on walls to look over and sniff. On a short lead he is pretty good and walks by your side. His owner used to let him off the lead when he was a younger dog, but he ran off a couple of times. There are sheep all around where he lives, so it is not possible to let him run free. He has strong chasing instincts and gets excited when he sees hares, squirrels, rabbits etc. – everything that runs. He associates farmers’ quad bikes with the dogs they usually carry and reacts to these – often when they pass the house and he is indoors.
His owner has not been able to find a safe field for Ernest to have a good run around, but he really would benefit from running every day. He is a strong and fit boy. He is intelligent and would likely still be trainable if someone could give him the time.
Ernest will sometimes bully the smaller dog in the home, who is a much more gentle 14-year-old lurcher, but on the whole they get on. However, strange dogs are a different matter. Walking around towns etc. Ernest seems to be OK with some dogs but then reacts to others – usually the bigger ones. His owner thinks that Ernest needs to be the only dog in a new home.
Ernest is neutered and not taking any medication. He has not been vaccinated recently.
Ernest is being rehomed privately by his owner, who has confirmed he will take Ernest back if his new home doesn’t work out for any reason. Prospective adopters will be carefully homechecked.
Contact Ernest’s owner as follows:
Email: p.hanson846@btinternet.com
Please mention that you saw Ernest listed as a private rehoming on the Oldies Club website.
Oldies Club suggests you read our article Questions for Adopters which is written to help people who are planning to adopt a dog from a private owner rather than a rescue.