The downside is that with no real undercoat and thin skin, lurchers can need extra wrapping in winter (and on those family trips to the Arctic Circle to work out where all the penguins went*). It is now extremely easy to purchase a second ‘coat’, which has many benefits.
What is the temperament of a lurcher?
Contrary to popular belief, the Lurcher is an amiable, relaxed and
gentle breed
, with a quiet temperament that enjoys regular human contact Like the Greyhound, the Lurcher is neither aggressive nor highly strung, but docile and dependable towards its owners.
How long do lurchers live for?
A lurcher is a group of mixed breed of dogs that actually cross between a sighthound, like a greyhound, and any other breed of dog, like a terrier. The dogs are thought to have first bred in
great britain
. Any dog breed among the lurchers is rather healthy and known to live for over 13 years.
Are
lurchers loyal
?
Lurchers are loyal dogs who form a very strong bond with their owners. They’re trustworthy, gentle dogs whose temperament varies massively depending on the contributory breeds within the crossing.
Do Lurchers get cold?
For a dog that requires a coat for the extra protection in cold weather as their fur isn’t thick enough to withstand extreme cold, the range of lurcher jackets, snugs and waterproof macs is unbelieveable !.
How do you look after Lurchers?
As a general rule lurchers as pets are great They do need more exercise than the greyhounds and are not so good at being left. If you work you will need to have other dogs or doggie day care solutions They also need a fully secure garden – so 6 foot fences to keep the dog safe.
What problems do Lurchers have?
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 (bone cancer). Lurchers with herding breeds in their ancestry may be prone to eye problems. Hypothyroidism is common in many dog breeds.
Why do Lurchers need
special collars
?
It is no surprise that these special dogs need special sighthound collars to protect their neck and throat , which can be damaged when a dog pulls wearing a narrow collar. The wide part of sighthound collar will fit under the dog’s throat and any pulling on the lead will not cut off his breath and arterial blood flow.
Why do so many Lurchers need rehoming?
Unfortunately there are many unwanted Lurchers in rescues included the NAWT. 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.
Can Lurchers swim?
The lurcher is not a marine animal. It rarely dives into the sea for herring, or migrates across leagues of trackless ocean. It does, however, like a paddle now and then – and may, very occasionally, go full swim.
What is the best food for a lurcher?
Feeding Dried Dog Food Other foods we would highly recommend are Scrumbles, Naturaldogfoodcompany, Burns, Trophy Pet Foods , but there are many other quality food available – why not try popping into your local pet shop and discussing your dogs diet with them.
Why does my lurcher Lean On Me?
In order to have that social closeness , big dogs tend to lean on the legs of their humans. And if you reward this behavior with lots of pets and snuggles, as we dog lovers tend to do, your pooch will likely learn that leaning gets them affection.
Should I see my Lurchers ribs?
You should be able to feel the ribs with a slight covering of muscle over them, but they shouldn’t be visible, feel like sharp ridges or be poking out It’s important to really feel them with your fingertips rather than just looking, as many dogs’ coats will hide the ribs from view.
Are Lurchers smart?
Temperament. Like border Collies, Lurchers are incredibly intelligent ; so much so that they worked as messenger dogs in both World Wars. Lurchers are loving, loyal and very affectionate. After an extended play and run, they like nothing more than to curl up on the sofa with their faithful person.
How long should you walk a Lurcher?
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.
Do Lurchers shed hair?
If you’re very house-proud, the lurcher is probably the perfect dog for you. This is because a lurcher’s coat can range from smooth to rough-coated, they only shed maybe once or twice a year resulting in them making ideal house-dogs.
Are Lurchers destructive?
No two Lurchers are the same Unsurprisingly, their mixed-breed genes (a hint of Collie, a touch of Terrier) can mean that they have a tendency to become easily bored, which can lead to destructive behaviour.
Should I put a jacket on my dog?
It is important to remember that coats and sweaters on dogs should only be worn if needed when they are outside in very cold weather Dogs should not wear these clothing items in the house as they can overheat easily.
What two dogs make a Lurcher?
The Lurcher is the first designer cross-breed, and distinctly British in origin. These dogs are a cross between one or more sight hounds, such as the Greyhound, Whippet, Saluki, or Deerhound, and one or more pastoral working breeds, most popularly the Border Collie, or a terrier.
Do Lurchers get separation anxiety?
Luckily, it is unusual for adult greyhounds to suffer from true separation anxiety Adult dogs are typically used to spending time alone, so better at coping. Puppies, adolescent dogs and lively versions of the lurcher are more likely to be worry about being left alone alone.
Is a Lurcher a crossbreed or a mongrel?
A bit of a ‘mongrel’, the Lurcher is not only a crossbreed, but one that can be composed of a variety of different breeds , meaning that Lurchers are one of the most diverse types of dogs about. Most will be athletically-built with rangy, slender bodies.
Why is my lurcher shaking?
Dogs usually tremble for two reasons: Because they are cold, or because they are scared and afraid.
Why are lurchers called lurchers?
Lurcher is an old English term for a cross-bred dog, specifically the result of mating a sighthound with a dog of another type, mostly a working breed. The word ‘lurcher’ was first used with this meaning in 1668; it derives from the verb ‘lurch’, apparently a variant form of ‘lurk’, and meaning ‘lurk’ or ‘steal’.
What is a bull lurcher?
Ultimate killer ‘urban hunter’ dogs bred in Scotland to savage other animals on sight. The bull lurchers have speed of a greyhound and ferocity of American pit bulls and are used by twisted owners to kill badgers, foxes and deer.
Is a Lurcher a purebred?
The Lurcher is an incredibly versatile dog that has many different traits. They are great hunters as well as loyal and affectionate pets. They are not, however, purebred dogs They fall into the category of a hybrid or a designer dog.
Are Lurchers bigger than greyhounds?
Greyhounds are large bodied, but lurchers are either large or small Despite the fact that lurcher has a greyhound parent, the temperaments and other characteristics can be highly variable between the two dogs.
Are Lurchers thieves?
Lurcher definition A thief ; poacher.
Do lurchers like cuddles?
They Love to Cuddle Lurchers snuggle and cuddle and snooze as much as they can on the softest, snuggliest surface they can find and they love their humans.
How many times a day should you feed a lurcher?
As greyhounds and lurchers are thin dogs, their stomachs cannot take the amount of food that some breeds of dogs who need only one meal a day can take at one sitting, and they need two meals a day, one at breakfast time and another in the late afternoon or early evening.
Can lurchers jump high?
A friends lurcher can jump 5 ft in a vertical takeoff !.
Do Lurchers like other dogs?
Greyhounds and Lurchers are strong, muscular dogs, with a keen eye and a talent for sprinting. They usually get on well with other dogs but will instinctively chase cats and small animals.
Can Lurchers climb stairs?
Which breeds do best on stairs? Breed also comes into play when you’re thinking about how easily your dog will manage the stairs. It’s obvious that a rangy, long-legged Lurcher is going to find it simpler to bound up the stairs than a little low-rider like a Chihuahua or a Yorkshire Terrier.
Are Lurchers aggressive?
NOTE: Lurchers are generally good-natured, but can and do fight under certain circumstances, especially if stressed, or defending territory, or if they’ve had an abusive background.
What is a fishtail collar?
The different types of dog collars For sighthounds like greyhounds, Salukis and whippets, the fishtail collar is shaped to support the widest part of a hound’s long delicate neck A lot of us are familiar with the old fashioned choke chain collar.
What collars do lurchers need?
The large size collar will fit most greyhounds and the medium collar will fit most lurchers and whippets.
Can you leave a
martingale collar
on all the time?
No, martingale collars should NOT be worn all the time Because of the martingale’s tightening function, martingales can become a choking hazard if left on unattended dogs.
Should Lurchers be muzzled?
Lurchers are reactive dogs. The reaction can range from barking to biting. So, Lurchers need muzzles.
What toys do Lurchers like?
Dog Puzzle Toys This high level of intelligence requires mental challenge and stimulation as often as possible, ideally on a daily basis. Puzzle toys enable your lurcher to get great practice in problem-solving, a task they dearly love!.
How long do Lurchers sleep for?
They are very tactile and like to snuggle up to you. Professional couch potatoes, many greyhounds sleep as much as 16 – 18 hours a day and you will also be amazed and amused by their ability to sleep in very odd positions!.
How tall do lurchers get?
The average weight of the Lurcher breed varies depending on breeding, but it generally weighs between 60 and 70 pounds on average. The average height of this breed is between 22 and 28 inches.
What breed of dog can’t swim?
Bulldogs Both English bulldogs and French bulldogs possess the triple threat of flat faces, barrel-shaped bodies and short legs. In other words, bulldogs simply aren’t made for swimming. Only one of these traits would make swimming a challenge for these dogs, imagine having all three!.
Do hounds like water?
They’ve got those long, skinny, lanky legs… They don’t have a lot of opportunity to be introduced to [water].” Sighthounds in general (Afghan Hounds, Whippets, Salukis, etc.) tend not to be huge fans of swimming , Kern adds.
References
https://www.pointyfaces.co.uk/sighthound-coats
https://www.etsy.com/market/lurcher_coats
https://www.thetrendywhippet.co.uk/product-category/coats/