Are lurchers good family 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. We always have lots of lovely lurchers looking for homes.

What mix of dogs is a Lurcher?

Lurchers are usually a cross between a sighthound breed – such as Greyhound, Saluki or Whippet – and a Collie or Terrier. Because they’re a mixed breed, no two Lurchers are the same – in looks or temperament.

What is the difference between a Greyhound and a Lurcher?

Greyhound is a pure breed of dogs but Lurcher is not. In fact, greyhound is a registered dog breed in all the kennel clubs, whereas lurcher is registered only at the Lurcher and Longdog Association of North America. Greyhounds are large bodied, but lurchers are either large or small.

What exactly is a Lurcher?

A lurcher is a sighthound such as a Greyhound crossed with a terrier, herding breed, or large scenthound with the idea of bringing in greater tenacity, intelligence, or scenting ability. Lurchers are primarily hunting dogs, prized for their stealth and silence.

Why are so many Lurchers abandoned?

Many Lurchers are used for lamping, a form of hunting, and are ‘disposed of’ once they are no longer useful to the owner. This means that lots of Lurchers come into our care as strays, after being found wandering the streets alone. … Despite being found as a stray, Prince is easy-going and very friend.

Do Lurchers shed hair?

Many lurchers have a single layer of hair, and thus technically have hair coats rather than fur coats. … Such dogs have a short coat with limited shedding which needs little maintenance. Whilst anyone can be allergic to any dog, short-haired lurchers can be a good choice for the slightly sensitive amongst you.

Do lurchers smell?

So a lurcher, longdog or sighthound is also a scenthound in its way, whether you like it or not. A specific scenthound breed might be better at following a smell than the average lurcher, but unless trained, not phenomenally better than a Chilli, who does pretty well.

Why are lurchers called lurchers?

The lurcher is a cross-bred dog, normally between a Greyhound and a Collie or sheepdog. The word ‘lurcher’ is derived from the medieval French lerce Lurcher was first used with this meaning in 1668 from the verb ‘lurch’ — ‘lurk’.

Should you be able to see a lurchers ribs?

Judge a dog by feel and sight, you should be able to just see the back ribs, he should have a nice waistline and a slight covering of fat over his bones.

What illnesses are lurchers prone to?

The main health concerns for Lurchers are gastric torsion, torn toenails, foot or muscle injuries and heatstroke or heat exhaustion. They may also be prone to osteosarcoma. Lurchers with herding breeds in their ancestry may be prone to eye problems. Autoimmune thyroiditis is common in many dog breeds.

Do lurchers feel the cold?

They vary, lots. I have seen lurchers out-running kids on sledges in the snow – or pulling kids on sledges. But if they are standing around and not running – yes then some really do suffer from the cold.

What is the best lurcher?

For the ultimate rabbiting dog, a large racing whippet crossed with a Bedlington terrier has many supporters. If, however, you want a dog that can tackle almost any legal quarry, then a bigger, more powerful greyhound x collie or even deerhound x collie might well fit the bill.

What is the average lifespan for a Lurcher?

about 13 years
How long does a lurcher live? Lurchers are known to live for about 13 years. They may live more than 13 years, but that depends on the lifespan of the parents and their health. The mortality of any dog largely depends on their health, as the only things that threaten their lives are diseases and injuries.

Why do lurchers wear wide collars?

Hound necks are often wider than their heads (especially greyhounds) which means narrow collars can easily slip over their heads if they have a tendency to wriggle or pull on the lead. … A wider shape collar helps to protect a larger surface area of the neck and distribute pressure evenly.

Why do lurchers lean on you?

A Greyhound likes to show affection with his or her entire body, whether that means curling up against you on the couch or leaning his or her weight against your side. … While smaller dogs might sit in your lap, your Greyhound may give you his weight to show that he or she feels bonded to you.

How much walking do Lurchers need?

For most Lurchers, you should aim for at least 40 minutes of exercise per day. Whilst this goal may seem low, it’s all thanks to their sighthound heritage. Contrary to popular belief, sighthounds don’t need tons of exercise. In fact, they love to lounge around all day, making them low maintenance pets.

How much do Lurchers eat?

It recommends about 450g per day for dogs the size of ours. Given their metabolism and exercise, we find 300g per day enough (and so do they). We divide the dry food into two meals a day.

How big will a lurcher grow?

He should reach full height around 12 months but some grow up to 18months and fill out in the latter 6 months too. So if he is 22 inches just now he may end up around 26-28inches I’d have thought.