Developed in the Middle Ages in Great Britain and Ireland, the lurcher was created because only nobility were allowed to have purebred sighthounds like Irish Wolfhounds, Scottish Deerhounds, and Greyhounds, whereas crosses had no perceived value.
They are often bred for hunting, poaching and unofficial racing, but because they can look similar to purebred Greyhounds, they often face the same image problems when awaiting adoption from rescue organisations. With the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004 banning hunting with dogs, many more of these wonderful dogs have found themselves abandoned and, if lucky, in the rescue system.
Exercise Requirements
Lurchers love company and so they make ideal companions. They can often be quite lazy dogs, and seem to prefer snoozing somewhere warm and comfortable in the house – preferably on an old duvet or sofa. Like other dogs, they don’t relish being left alone. They usually love the company of other dogs.
In general they have similar exercise requirements to greyhounds, but this may vary considerably depending on the type of cross.
On and Off The Lead
Lurchers are sighthounds and if they have come from a working background they will have been taught to chase small furry animals. It's advisable to keep a Lurcher on a lead when you're outside until you are absolutely certain that your dog will always come back to you on command. Also, you will need to be sure that it won't chase other people's small pets. Lurchers are usually a dream on the lead and rarely pull. With love and patience your dog will soon learn on which side his bread is buttered and will only want to please you.
Other Animals
Temperament.
Temperament can vary depending on the type of cross of your Lurcher. Many Lurchers have temperaments that are very similar to purebred sighthounds like the Greyhound, but some have temperaments that are influenced by other breeds like herding breeds and terrier breeds.
Appearance
Because Lurchers are a crossbreed there is no set type, so they can be as small as a Whippet or as large as a Deerhound. The coat type and upkeep requirements will vary depending on the type of cross. Coat types range from being short and smooth like that of a Greyhound, to slightly longer and thicker like a collie, to rough and broken like a terrier.
Lurchers as Pets
Nowadays, Lurchers are becoming very popular as they make exceptional family dogs. They are generally good with children, gentle, loving, very affectionate and loyal.
Health Issues
There are certain breed requirements that differ when you own a lurcher with anesthesia being one of them. It is imperative to check that your vet is sighthound aware before allowing him to treat your dog.
Lurchers can also be prone to a condition called gastric torsion (bloat) which is a serious condition requiring immediate veterinary attention. Ways to avoid this include raised feeding and giving them no exercise directly before or after meals.
Lurchers do not need a special diet specific to the breed. They enjoy a mixed and varied diet and can thrive on complete dry foods which are readily available at retail outlets; and if you're happy to add ingredients like sardines, mince, vegetables etc then your Lurcher will be more than happy too!
As with any dog, it is important to keep your Lurchers vaccinations up to date. Most rescues will have dealt with this prior to adoption but yearly boosters are required. It is also recommended that parasites are kept under control by worming on average about every 4 months and maintaining a regular program of de-fleaing. These preparations are reasonably cheap and available from your vet.
