Lurcher

The history of the Lurcher is a gripping detective tale. The name itself comes from the old French word “lecher” or the English verb “to lurch”, which means “to hide”, “to prowl”, or “to be a petty thief”. And this perfectly describes their original purpose.

It all began in the Middle Ages and was cemented during the Tudor era. The English authorities, protecting the interests of the nobility, passed strict laws forbidding commoners (peasants, tenants, travelling Gypsies) from owning purebred sighthounds. It was believed that such a noble dog as the Greyhound could only belong to the elite, while a commoner with a sighthound was viewed as a potential poacher who would hunt the King’s deer.

But people needed to eat. Rabbits and hares were the main source of meat for the poor. To circumvent the law, people resorted to trickery. They crossed the forbidden sighthounds with other working dogs – sheepdogs (Collies) or Terriers. The result exceeded all expectations:

• The dog gained the speed of a sighthound, sufficient to catch a hare.
• From its working ancestor, it inherited endurance, intelligence, and cunning.
• Outwardly, it did not look like a “royal” sighthound, so inspectors could not confiscate the animal.

Thus appeared the Lurcher – a quiet, effective, and deadly assistant to the poacher. Gypsies (Roma people) played a key role in shaping the breed, selecting only the smartest and fastest dogs. Today, the Lurcher is no longer an outcast but a national treasure, although official kennel clubs still refuse to recognise it due to its genetic diversity.

Describing a “standard” Lurcher is impossible because no standard exists. Their appearance depends entirely on which breeds were used in the crossing (the so-called “mix”). However, there are common traits that allow one to unmistakably identify this athlete in a crowd.

In size and build, Lurchers resemble sighthounds, though they often look a bit “rougher” and more robust. Representatives of the breed have a deep and narrow chest (volume for the lungs), a powerful loin, and long, dry limbs. A small head with a narrow muzzle is crowned by high-set ears. These can be erect, semi-erect, or folded back (“rose ears”), just like a Greyhound’s.

Coat Types:

• Smooth: Similar to large Whippets or Greyhounds. The coat is short and close-fitting. They are less protected against bad weather.
• Rough/Broken: The classic “Gypsy” type. They have a “wiry” coat, often with a beard and whiskers inherited from Terriers or Deerhounds. Such a coat offers excellent protection against thorns in the forest and rain.

The Lurcher’s gaze is a seperate topic entirely. It is attentive, penetrating, with a characteristic “spark”. In moments of calm, their eyes can express universal sorrow, but show the dog a toy, and they instantly light up with excitement.

Since the Lurcher is a type rather than a closed breed, the variations can be endless. However, in the professional environment, several main “mixes” are distinguished, each with its own character and working traits.

Lurcher owners often joke that their dogs have an off switch. At home, this is a “couch potato” that can sleep 18 hours a day, sometimes in the funniest poses – legs in the air (known as “roaching”). They are affectionate, gentle, love tactile contact, and often consider themselves lap dogs, trying to settle on their owner’s knees despite their size.

But step outside, and “predator mode” engages. In its primal version, the Lurcher must display the nature of a sighthound: reacting to movement instantly. If you are looking for a dog that will walk to heel without a lead and ignore cats, the Lurcher will be a challenge. They treat strangers with reserve, without aggression, but also without the familiarity typical of Labradors.

Relationships with Children and Other Animals

Lurchers historically lived in large families and packs, so they are generally wonderful with children. They are patient and not prone to dominance. They get on well with other dogs (especially those of their own size). However, small animals (cats, rabbits, small dogs) may be perceived as prey. This is not aggression; it is instinct. Although, if a Lurcher has grown up with a cat, it will likely sleep hugging it, but will almost certainly try to chase a strange cat on the street.

Thanks to a phenomenon known as “heterosis” (hybrid vigour), Lurchers are significantly healthier than their purebred parents. Genetic defects characteristic of inbreeding occur less frequently in them. However, the specific anatomy of the sighthound leaves its mark.

• Sensitivity to Anaesthesia: This is a critically important point! Like the Whippet, the Lurcher has a low percentage of body fat. Standard doses of anaesthetic can be fatal. The vet must know the protocols for sighthounds.
• Gastric Torsion (Bloat): The deep chest creates a risk of the stomach twisting. This is a dangerous condition requiring immediate surgery.
• Paw Injuries: Due to high speeds and thin skin, Lurchers often get cuts, sprained ligaments, and broken toes while running.
• Osteosarcoma: Unfortunately, like many large dogs, they can be prone to bone cancer.

A Lurcher is not suitable for living in a kennel or an outdoor enclosure. This is a companion dog that needs a warm home and a soft sofa. Their thin coat and lack of fat make them vulnerable to cold and heat.

Wardrobe – Not a Luxury, but a Necessity

If you get a Lurcher, prepare to buy clothes. In winter, they vitally need warm coats that cover the belly, and in autumn – raincoats. In their love for warmth, they resemble the Italian Greyhound, only on a much larger scale. If the flat is cool, the dog may sleep under the duvet.

Physical Exercise

The myth that they need to run for hours is not entirely true. They need an “explosion”. Two walks of 40-60 minutes with the opportunity for free running in a safe area is the ideal. Lurchers will gladly run after a mechanical lure (coursing) or simply a ball. But remember: do not let them off the lead near roads!

The intelligence with which nature has endowed Lurchers does not always promise an easy life for the trainer. This is not a service shepherd dog waiting for an order. A Lurcher thinks. And sometimes it thinks that your “Come here!” command is less interesting than the squirrel in the tree.

Key Principles of Upbringing:

• Early Socialisation: Introduce the puppy to the whole world to overcome natural caution.
• Positivity Only: Harsh methods will make a Lurcher fearful or withdrawn. They are very sensitive to intonation.
• Working with Instinct: You will never completely remove the desire to chase. Even a Forest Dachshund (Schwarzwald Bracke) that works by scent switches focus easier than a Lurcher that has sighted a target. Train an “emergency stop”, but always insure the dog with a lead in dangerous zones.

It does not befit a Gypsy dog to be picky about food, but the modern Lurcher has a high metabolism. They need a quality high-protein diet. It is important to monitor their condition: in a healthy Lurcher, the last two ribs should be visible during movement, but the spine should not protrude.

Rule No. 1: Never feed the dog immediately before or immediately after active running! This is the main prevention against gastric torsion. The interval should be at least 1 hour.

• Film Stars: In Guy Ritchie’s film “Snatch”, the dog around whom many plot lines revolve is famously a Lurcher.
• Cloning: The first dog cloned in South Korea (Snuppy) was an Afghan Hound, but Lurchers often become an object of interest for geneticists due to their unique combination of speed and intelligece genes.
• Odourless: Owners note that even a wet Lurcher has almost no specific “doggy” smell, making them pleasant housemates.

Is a Lurcher suitable for a flat?
Yes, provided there are regular walks. They are very compact when resting and do not take up much space, unlike shepherds that constantly patrol the perimeter.

How much does a puppy cost?
The price varies greatly. In Britain, a working Lurcher can be bought for modest money (from £300), whereas “designer” puppies with proven lineage can cost significantly more. In Ukraine, they are a rarity, so the price is negotiable.

Do they shed?
It depends on the coat type. Smooth-haired ones shed moderately, while rough-haired ones require stripping (hand-plucking), but shed less. Interestingly, their temperament sometimes correlates with coat type – rough-haired ones are often a bit more “cheeky”.