60-70 lbs
22-28"
Great Britain
The Lurcher is a specific type of mixed breed dog rather than a breed of its own; a combination of any type of sighthound mixed with any dog that is not a sighthound. This can have a variety of different results and although Lurcher-type dogs are typically long, lean, and leggy, they can vary quite a bit in size and structure, as well as in color, coat type, and in the shape and color of their eyes. They are typically quiet, gentle dogs which, with the proper exercise, can thrive in apartments as well as in larger homes, but they do have an extremely high prey drive and in some cases may not be able to be trusted around smaller animals.
The appearance of the Lurcher dog can vary quite a bit from dog to dog. Most of these dogs will have the long, lean shape of the sighthound, along with their deep chest, and powerful, muscular legs. They have heads that tend to be rather long and narrow in shape with muzzles that are long and either straight or tapered. Because there are a number of crosses that can legitimately be called a Lurcher dog, there can be quite a bit of difference between dogs when it comes to size, color, facial features, and coat quality. The most popular Lurcher combinations generally end up being between twenty-two and twenty-eight inches at the shoulder and between sixty and seventy pounds, but that can vary based on parentage. While the sighthounds typically have a very short, single-layer coat, some of the dogs that they have been mixed with have very different coats, which they can pass on to their offspring.
The Lurcher is typically a fairly easy dog to maintain, although this can vary somewhat, depending on the breeds that were combined to develop your particular canine. In most cases, bathing will only be required a few times a year, and overly frequent bathing may even strip natural oils from the coat of this dog, particularly if they inherited a double-layer weather resistant coat from their non-sighthound parent. Those that are mixed with dogs like Bull Terriers will retain that short, single-layer coat which can typically be kept clean and healthy with weekly brushings with a rubber curry comb or a gentle wipe down with a moist towel. Many of the Shepherding dogs may contribute a double layer coat which can sometimes be thicker and require more grooming and dogs with wire-haired Terrier influence may have a coat that requires occasional stripping.
The Lurcher tends to retain the gentle, good-natured quality that you will find in most sighthound breeds, but are also typically fun-loving canines with a great deal of affection for their family. They are typically well-mannered, except for their habit of stealing food that doesn’t belong to them, and they are known for their exceptionally strong prey drive, particularly those with Terrier influence as well as sight-hound. They do tend to do fairly well with children, but how well depends a great deal on the influence of the non-sighthound contribution. Its safest for both child and canine to ensure that all interactions between children and canines are closely supervised. Lurchers are not typically recommended for homes with other small pets such as cats, rodents, or even other smaller dogs, unless they can be socialized early as their prey drive may cause them to give chase to other animals and sometimes even kill them.
Lurcher type dogs seem to be universally active in short spurts, much like their sighthound ancestors. While they require a place to get a little running in on a daily basis, they have a tendency to be real couch potatoes at home. Along with running and walking, an activity that should never be done without a leash due to this dog’s highly-developed prey drive, your Lurcher may enjoy and even excel at activities such as lure coursing and agility training. They also tend to be very quiet compared to many breeds and even the larger Lurchers can make suitable pets for people with smaller living spaces, provided they get enough activity during the day.
Written by a Irish Setter lover Penny Sebring
Published: 04/20/2018, edited: 10/14/2021
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