What is a Lurcher ? How are they different ?
Short Answer
A lurcher is a greyhound
mixed with some other breed.
Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue
have an amazing list. Please click here.
Longer Answer ( Taken from Dictionary of Canine Terms. Frank Jackson)
Lurcher - Crossbred Sighthound.
Between a Greyhound, Whippet, Deerhound or a Saluki AND a Terrier (usually a Bedlington or a Border) or a border Collie or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Quotes from old original dog literature:
"Originally bred from a cross between a Greyhound and the shepherd's dog giving the required speed and fondness of the chase of the one and superior intelligence of the other"
"A poacher to his eyelids, as all the lurcher clan.
Follows silent as a shadow and clever as a man."
Most of the references on these pages are to "greyhounds."
This is because the Greyhound / Lurcher temperaments are often so similar.
It's generally agreed that, if anything, Lurchers are more adaptable and often more responsive to training .... agility incuded.
The differences will come when you consider which mix has been involved with your particular hound. Greyhounds are often regarded as the benchmark and centre point. You might need to move up a bit, down a bit and possibly sideways!
Please visit Lurcher Link for expert help
from the moderators and members
Bedlington/Greyhound is the classic mix.
Staffie/Greyhound is favoured for "lamping"
Like Cass, pictured above and below the menu
Re-homed by Greyhound Welfare
Collie/Greyhound is a popular working mix.
Deerhound/Greyhound often
appears...... in various sizes.
Please see Freebie, below
The most elegant mix is
usually Saluki/Greyhound
or Saluki/whippet.
Like Alfie pictured right
and at the top on this page.
Re-homed by Hope Rescue.
We couldn't resist putting
several photos of this super boy
Many thanks to Linda Henning
for the picture of her
Great Dane / Greyhound ... Daisy.
Read more about lurchers
Linda writes...
From the first meeting we knew
we had an exceptional dog that
at 1 year old possessed great
intelligence and solid basic
obedience skills. Someone loved
this dog and trained her very well.
Somewhere along the way,
that person disappeared.
Above and below menu
Goldie.
Greyhound/Staffie
Rehomed by Greyhound Welfare 2005
From the left.
Lexi,
Greyhound /Sheepdog ?
Val,
Staffie/Greyhound?
Spike,
Staffie/Whippet?
Join their Greyhound
chums on a First Sunday Walk at Cosmeston Lake
Penarth. March 2006
Shadowfax
Saluki / Greyhound
Rehomed by Greyhound
Welfare 2006
Bedlington / Greyhound
HISTORY
HELPS
Rescue Groups make every effort to try and discover the purpose for which a lurcher was originally born (apart from accidents) and this should help new families as the dogs are settling in and adapting to domestic life.
Please ask as many questions as you wish during your home visit and before welcoming your new boy or girl into your home .... and keep in touch afterwards.
The Sanctuaries love to hear happy ending stories, will always try to advise if problems are emerging and will be interested in problems you have solved.
Freebie on a family outing
Found abandoned in Wattsville in Spring 2005 and taken in by a local family. Later adopted by them. In fact has never left them and lives happily with all sorts of smalls.
Assistance from Greyhound Welfare
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