Overview
A Lurcher is any cross between a sighthound and another type, traditionally a Greyhound or Whippet with a Collie or terrier, bred to hunt quietly for the pot. There is no standard: Lurchers range from Whippet-sized to Deerhound-sized, rough or smooth, and the non-sighthound half shapes the temperament. UK rescues are full of them and walkers meet them constantly.
Most share the sighthound core: calm, affectionate, happy to sleep for most of the day, and wired to chase. The Collie-cross Lurchers add brains and recall; the terrier crosses add determination and a stronger interest in small furry things.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day in two walks suits most Lurchers, with one proper off-lead sprint somewhere safe if the owner approves. They do not need distance; they need a chance to open up and then a long lie-down.
Thin skin and little body fat mean they feel the cold and tear easily on brambles and wire. A coat in winter and a check of legs after rough walks are routine.
On the walk
- Chase: Rabbits, squirrels, cats, deer and sometimes small dogs. Assume the drive is strong until the owner shows you otherwise, and keep the lead on near roads.
- Recall: Varies enormously with the cross. A Collie Lurcher may be excellent; a Saluki or terrier type may be hopeless. Ask, then test on a long line.
- Other dogs: Gentle and sociable with most dogs. Watch the first meeting with tiny, fast-moving breeds, which can flip the prey switch.
- Lead: Calm until a lunge. A sighthound harness or a martingale collar stops the dog backing out of a flat collar when it sees something.
Tips for professional walkers
- Ask what is in the cross; it changes everything from recall to coat care.
- Keep a muzzle handy if the owner uses one, and respect why.
- Find a secure field and let the dog run flat out once or twice a week.
- Pack a coat for the dog in winter, and check pads and legs for cuts after any sprint.
What to ask the owner
- What breeds are in the mix, and does the dog have any reliable recall?
- What does it chase, and has it ever caught anything?
- Does it wear a muzzle or a coat, and how does it react to small dogs?