Lurchers are crossbreed dogs. They are the result of sighthounds such as Greyhounds and Salukis, crossed with a working dog such as a border collie or a terrier. As many are multi-breeds breeds it means you never quite know what you will get with a loveable lurcher.
Lurcher Dogs
Lurcher dogs are great dogs to have in your house. If you are considering getting a Lurcher to join your family, let us tell you a few more things you need to know.
Facts About Lurchers
- Size: Medium-sized dog
- Height: 22 – 28 inches (55 – 71 cm)
- Weight: 60 – 70 pounds (27 – 32 kg)
- Life Expectancy: Up to 13 years
- Drooling: Minimal
Lurcher personality
Lurchers are lovable dogs and have a great, friendly personality. These tall, athletic dogs have loads of energy, but if they are well exercised, they also love spending hours asleep curled up on the sofa. They are known for being intelligent, but this can sometimes become an issue if they are trying to figure out a way to steal your Sunday roast from the kitchen. As opportunistic thieves, additional care will need to be taken else your dinner may become their tasty treat.
How Much exercise do Lurchers need?
Lurchers need at least 2 walks a day to release their energy. As they have a high prey drive a lot of owners choose to keep Lurchers on a lead when out to ensure they don’t get lost if they find a rabbit or squirrel to chase. As they are high-energy dogs, finding an enclosed field where they can run off-leash is a perfect way to allow them to release some of their pent-up energy.
Lurcher Training
Lurchers can be trained, but it has been said that they are one of the hardest breeds to control. In most cases, this is due to the difficulty they have with recall. They love to chase other animals, so being great at recall is difficult for some Lurchers. As these dogs can run up to 40 mph, recall is a must for dogs you plan to take off the lead.
With plenty of socialisation and regular training sessions, recall can be improved.
To practise recall with your lurcher, you will need:
- Plenty of patience
- Tasty Dog treats
- A dog harness
- A long training lead
- A whistle or clicker
Just remember, some Lurchers will never fully grasp the idea of recall; hunting and chasing are just in their nature!
Lurcher coat colours and patterns
Most lurchers have a smooth short coat which comes in a variety of colours such as tan, black, brown, cream and grizzled. Their undercoat does get thicker in winter so regular grooming is needed to keep them looking their best and helps keep loose hairs at bay.
Due to the various breed mixes, long, rough coat Lurchers also exist.
Do Lurchers make good pets?
Lurchers make great pets. They are very gentle in nature and love to be around their owners, and are keen to please. Due to their friendly nature, they can make great additions to families, especially ones with young children.
Do Lurchers bark a lot?
Due to their laid-back nature, most Lurchers do not excessively bark. These quiet companions will only bark if they really think it is necessary. You will usually find them poking their noses in and giving you a lick over being loud. There will be some instances where this is not true due to the breeds that are mixed. For instance, dogs mixed with Border Collies may be more prone to barking.