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Lurcher Dog: Breed Info, Pictures, Care & Traits

Written by: Ashley Bates

Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Dogster Team

Lurcher Dog

Lurcher Dog: Breed Info, Pictures, Care & Traits

The Lurcher is a rather niche and obscure breed that is a combination of a Greyhound and another sighthound or scenthound. These dogs are mostly in the UK and are often used to hunt small game. However, they are also in the US, though less common. Their popularity is increasing, however, due to their family dog potential.

These pups might not be a classic purebred, but they certainly have a place in the world. Let’s learn more about the Lurcher dog breed.

Breed Overview

Height:

12–18 inches

Weight:

50–60 pounds

Lifespan:

12–15 years

Colors:

White, blue, silver, red, brown, gray, black

Suitable for:

Active families, those looking for a low-shedding dog

Temperament:

Loyal & loving, intelligent, easy to train, friendly, gets along with other pets

The Lurcher is a sighthound that has an impeccable ability to use eyesight for hunting prey. While sighthounds and scenthounds are different, relying on separate senses for expertise, Lurchers also use their sense of smell to help them.

If the Lurcher caught your attention, you probably want to know all the ins and outs of this incredible, intelligent and talented breed.

Lurcher Characteristics

Energy
+
High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
+
Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

Lurcher Puppies

Surprisingly, Lurchers are pretty rare to find. Despite their ever-growing popularity, pinpointing a puppy in your neighborhood might be a little bit difficult. You can definitely search on verifiable websites to check out breeders in your area.

Since the Lurcher is technically a combination of a Greyhound and any other sight or scenthound breed, you can get several different physical and temperament variations, so finding a puppy for you might be a little bit of an adventure. In some cases, it will require extensive travel on your part if you are dead set on getting one of these fantastic creatures.

As puppies, Lurchers can be hyper and require very heavy socialization. While these puppies will generally get along with anything they’re raised with, an unsocialized lurcher might have aloof tendencies as an adult.

It is very important to take them to dog parks, take them on walks, and expose them to various settings to create a well-rounded dog.

Grey lurcher dog in summer meadow
Image Credit: Gill Kennett, Shutterstock

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Lurcher

Lurchers are intensely intelligent and intentional dogs. Everything they do, they do with grace. They are very refined and calculated in their actions. They are capable of quick thinking and swift decisions.

For this reason, they make very good candidates for extensive types of training, permitting it’s an area where they are strong. Even though they are masters at skill sets, they make incredible pets as they have very laid-back and affectionate personalities.

They tend to be very good-natured and lackadaisical in the home, but very attentive and intentional in the field. Many people navigate towards this type of dog because, like their Greyhound parent, they can be very active outside of the home. But a Lurcher is amazing when it comes to having a wonderful companion who will chill by your side.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

If you have a Lurcher from a puppy, they have time to acclimate and grow into your family. These dogs will typically integrate into any situation if everything is done as a young dog. However, lurchers do become set in their ways.

If you get an adult dog, they might have trouble getting along with new pets and smaller children. For this reason alone, caution may be required if living with children.

If your Lurcher is well-socialized, they can blend well with various situations, including welcoming new company. However, if you don’t socialize them properly, they might not be so welcoming of new people and gravitate only towards those they are familiar with.

Beautiful lurcher looking at the camera
Image Credit: Darren William Hall, Shutterstock

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Lurchers require early socialization. We’ve mentioned it multiple times so far in this article, and we can’t stress it enough. These dogs can make absolutely tremendous companions to animals and people alike. But some can also be very uncertain and even completely dismissive or territorial with other dogs.

Lurchers have an incredibly high prey drive. They do not mesh very well with smaller animals, including cats. Granted, if a Lurcher has been raised around a specific cat, they might get along very well with them, accepting them as part of the pack.

However, the same sentiment cannot be shared with outsiders of any kind. They might not take kindly to a cat being in the backyard that is completely unfamiliar. They might also always try to attack and kill smaller pets, including small livestock.

So, if you are getting a Lurcher in hopes that they will integrate with every pet around the barnyard or indoors, you have to closely consider the situation you’re bringing them into.

By nature, Lurchers are hunting dogs, and they are very keen and aware of their instinctual desires. Putting them in a situation where they are tempted but cannot act is actually cruel, and you should reconsider the type of breed you want if you find yourself questioning.

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Things to Know When Owning a Lurcher:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Because the Lurcher is such a highly intense breed when it comes to exercise, they certainly need a diet that will replenish their bodies. Generally, they will require a very fine protein recipe with some natural meat supplementation.

Sometimes, owners will give their dogs high-quality dry dog food and put a fresh food topper or lean, boiled meats on top of their kibble. This gives them an extra dose of protein and helps nourish their demanding bodies.

Because they deplete calories so fast, they might also require meals to be broken up throughout the day to distribute nutrients evenly. As usual, always ask your vet for feeding recommendations and guidance on how to feed your Lurcher pup appropriately.

Exercise 🐕

The Lurcher definitely requires a lot of exercise. While they can be a couch potato when they are not running around, they absolutely need that physical exertion in order to stay happy and healthy.

Like the Greyhound, the Lurcher works best in short spurts of intense physical activity. You might have an area where your Lurcher can run around or opt for a game of fetch with them. It is very important for a Lurcher to be off the leash, so having an enclosed space where they can burn some energy is essential.

These dogs make very good candidates for dog parks because they get along well with most other dogs and enjoy the simulation.

A Lurcher running in a park
Image Credit: Jamierpc_Shutterstock

Training 🎾

Training is an absolute must with this dog, and there are no cutting corners. Your Lurcher should be very well trained. If you are not capable of performing the training yourself, it’s time to opt for professional help.

They absolutely require a firm hand and intentional direction. They do not do well with flimsy trading or unpredictable guidance. Because a Lurcher is so smart, you can expect them to catch on very quickly to concepts like potty training and basic commands.

But don’t stop there. Your Lurcher is capable of learning a variety of things that can impress you every day. Not only are they capable, but they also have the drive and desire to learn more. These highly trainable dogs can make exquisite family additions, permitting that you take the time to do this appropriately.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming a Lurcher will vary depending on the parent breeds. If it has a long, short coat like a Greyhound, it might be relatively easy to give them a couple passes of a brush and call it a day.

However, if they have hair that’s a little longer or wiry, they might require a little bit more care. Ultimately, you should have the grooming tools on hand necessary for taking care of your Lurcher’s particular coat.

Like all other dogs, you can give your Lurcher a bath every 4 to 6 weeks and try to use allergy-friendly shampoos just in case your Lurcher is sensitive in any way. It’s always best to kick out those fragrances and chemicals when we can to avoid negative reactions and keep our pups healthy.

grey lurcher dog lying down
Image Credit: Shen Stone, Shutterstock

Health and Conditions 🏥

Giving your dog proper vet care is just part of the owning process. You should always count on taking your dog to the vet annually, and even more in their first year of life. As your pup grows, your vet will need to monitor their weight gain, administer routine vaccinations, schedule a spay or neuter surgery, and even microchip them.

The Lurcher is well revered for being a very hardy dog with very few health concerns to mention. However, as with any pet breed, there are problems that could crop up in the breeds.

Minor Conditions
  • Dental disease
Serious Conditions
  • Gastric dilatation volvulus, or bloat
  • Hip dysplasia

Male vs Female

There are some differences between the male and female Lurcher. Physically, the males tend to be larger and heavier boned. However, females can be bigger in certain circumstances as this breed can have a variety of different parent breeds, which leads to size variations.

However, you can count on dogs of the same litter to carry the normal traits of the males being taller and wider than their female counterparts.

Both sexes reach sexual maturity around 6 months of age. Most vets recommend that you get them fixed before their first heat cycle, but it might vary depending on the individual dog and any health concerns to mention.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Lurcher

1. The Lurcher is considered a “couch potato” dog.

A Lurcher is considered quite the laid back friend.


2. The Lurcher is a very old breed.

We want to point out one important fact—the Lurcher is a very old breed, but there is no breed standard. Different breeds can play into the Lurcher, though they always have Greyhound in the mix. Other parents can be Collies and other sighthounds.

Lurcher dog running at top speed
Image Credit: Sue Thatcher, Shutterstock

3. Lurchers are hard workers.

Lurchers definitely know how to work! They are hunting dogs that have held up their end with efficiency and precision. Mainly, Lurchers hunt coyotes, foxes, or jackrabbits.

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Final Thoughts

So now you know a little more about what the Lurcher breed is all about. If you’ve always been a fan of the ancient sight and scenthounds, your heart might swell with anticipation when you see this beautiful breed.

Because of the influences of the parent breeds being variable, you can get all sorts of looks and personalities. Be aware that breeders in the United States are very few and far between, so do your research and make sure you pick someone reputable.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Colin Seddon, Shutterstock

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