Lurchers...stories and where to find...

[cbv]

Another spin off from earlier thread about finding the right breed. Just curiosity about a breed (or cross) I am not very familiar with.

Lurcher’s, as I understand, can be the result of a variety of crosses between herding breeds and sight hounds. Seems like in most of the individuals I have read about the herding dog is BC. But have a colleague who has lurcher’s in the family that are bearded collie crosses.

Having had BC’s and a Cattle Dog as well as two Borzoi’s, lurcher’s sound really interesting but have never known any personally. Also wondered where to find breeders in the states.

[Foxtrot_s]

Gypsies will sell you one … for the same kind of inflated price as you could get a Gypsy Vanner… from Britain.

We have had two greyhounds and, honestly, they were two of the lovliest dogs I have ever had. They were so gentle, and loyal and loving. They don’t fetch your slippers or anything, but I loved being loved by such an elegant dog.

[pony_baloney]

I thought lurchers were more of a sighthound/herding/terrier mix. I’ve seen a few in the UK and they definitely were built like a sighthound.

[csaper58]

Did you ever read ‘Princess Daisy’ by Judith Krantz? The main character had a lurcher.

I saw a pair at a horse show once, they looked like wire haired grey hounds. the owner used them to hunt coyotes.

[cbv]

Just doing some googling on Lurchers it appears they can be sight hound and terrier, sight hound and herding dog or “pastoral” dog, ,or just a mix of different sight hounds, or all of the above.

The few rescue groups in US appear to mainly have greyhound crossed with other sight hound used for racing. Otherwise not much info or links in US although dog info sights said they are used for agility and lure coursing in US.

Most links I saw are links in British Isles, mainly rescue groups.

Interesting only links I saw for puppies did also have Gypsy horses as well

[halla]

I think NGAP and the Sighthound Underground rescues have them sometimes. My barn manager’s vet also breeds them, I can ask for her contact info if you’re interested. I’m not sure if she’s the same breeder I met at Plantation Field with a very sweet greyhound/irish wolf hound cross (bred for lure coursing).

[cbv]

Thanks Haila. I am really just curious at this point, not currently looking for a puppy. Although will admit to puppy yearnings…maybe the time of year…

But if the vet has a website I would be interested in learning more.

My borzoi’s were bred for lure coursing though we never participated. However our carriage driving friends who arranged for us to get the pups were very active in coursing at the time. They were also vets.

[frisky]

I was around some lurchers about 25 years ago and I thought they were the coolest. Since then, I’ve had several dogs who have all been coonhounds. The dogs that I knew were in the hunt country outside of Philadelphia, but they were imported from the UK. Every now and again, I google, but it’s hard to find any information. Lovely dogs who seemed to have interesting personalities.

[kashmere]

All the lurchers I’ve seen have been greyhound/ other sighthound crosses - and incredibly cute. If you’ve never had a sighthound before, it can be a bit of an adjustment - especially if you’re used to having your pup off the leash with you. That being said, I love my sighthound (a retired racing greyhound), and would recommend them 100x over. Sweet, happy, calm, gentle hounds.

[D_BaldStockings]

If you liked Borzoi, you may want to look at a UKC breed, the Silken Windhound.

From whippet/borzoi/probably shetland sheepdog crossbreeding begun in the 1980’s, they are now a recognized UKC breed.

Look much like a small sized Borzoi, with a more work-with-people disposition, not so stand-offish.

Unfortunately they are like potato chips and you will end up with more than one…

They are legal for ASFA, LGRA, and NOTRA racing/coursing so still functional and fun to watch.

http://www.elessarhounds.com/images/Storm/storm_silkenfest_race_crop_sm.jpg

http://www.elessarhounds.com/images/Storm/storm_carry_lure_sm.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Silken_Windhound_and_Borzoi_(Kal_tyler).jpg/300px-Silken_Windhound_and_Borzoi_(Kal_tyler).jpg

[sk_pacer]

There is. or was, even a famous lurcher in England - loads of pics if you search for Alfred the lurcher. Alfred was played by several grey lurchers and all were good looking dogs. Have had contact with a few myself - coyote hunting dogs and they ran with a pack of straight greyhounds. I remember my greyhound - nice dog and when he decided I was his human, he never listened to anyone else unless they called the generic “Dogs, supper” which brought the whole lot

[snowblaze]

There are plenty of different types and sizes of lurchers, bred for different purposes and different types of terrain.

Some of the sports dog crosses such border collie X whippet that are being bred for flyball, agility, etc. in North American would be considered lurchers, although they’re not generally called by that name here.

A mix of sighthound breeds is called a longdog, rather than a lurcher.

Some info on lurchers: FAQ: http://www.lurcherlink.org/llink/forum/viewforum.php?f=15

[shiningwizard255]

I learned on this board my dog is a lurcher She’s a greyhound/German Shepherd mix, and she came from a shelter. This isn’t her, but her doppelganger is this dog:

https://dogsofsf.com/archives/8400/img_1188

My dog has more white though, she has four white feet, a white patch on her chest, a white tip on her tail, and a white snip on her nose.

I’m not a lurcher expert and can only speak for my dog but she’s honestly one of the best dogs I’ve ever met and if they are all like her, I recommend them. I’m a cat person and wasn’t looking for a dog when she came along, but I wanted and adore this dog. She’s a goofy dog, was easily trick-trained, and has an independent streak. What I mean is she likes to be around people, but she’s not a velcro dog.

I’ve had her since she was about 6 months old and she felt her greyhound oats A LOT the first few years…this is a dog that loved to run. I bet she would have made a great agility dog. She’s an old lady now and while she will still run, she’s more feeling the part of her greyhound self that thinks she’s a couch potato these days.

Fair warning she was a barker in her younger years, but that’s calmed down, too.

I’ve seen the Greyhound/German Shepherd cross a few times on Petfinder, and I’d recommend checking out this mix to anyone. Fun dog!

[cbv]

Kashmere, interestingly, I hiked and jogged with my borzoi off leash, we lived a while in mtns of PA near the Appalachian Trail. She and my BC were also ok loose on the farm when we were there (never left dogs at will when we were not around).

I remember when we took her to puppy class the instructors said the first night “well, you know she is a sight hound”, I think so I would not get my hopes up. She ended up doing so well in puppy and novice (it was a low bar after all) she ended up being the instructors pride and joy. But definitely only warmed up to a few people though she was fine with company and even crowds, just not enthusiastic. She also loved to swim and boat ride.

Her sister, my mom’s dog until we inherited her late in her life, flunked puppy class (really my mom flunked), but was a couch potato who also was trustworthy off leash by the time she came to live with us. Too lazy to run off.

[cbv]

[QUOTE=D_BaldStockings;8468176]
If you liked Borzoi, you may want to look at a UKC breed, the Silken Windhound.

They are legal for ASFA, LGRA, and NOTRA racing/coursing [/QUOTE]

I had seen those online but forgotten about them. Will have to go back and check out those links. Thanks!

[pony_baloney]

I’m in love with Silken Windhounds. A farm near where I bikeride has two and she was thrilled that I knew what breed they were. Nice size and not as delicate looking as a whippet; they even do the “sighthound lean” against your legs.

If you ever watch the movie Snatch, there’s a scene where a few lurchers are chasing a rabbit (I don’t think the rabbit really survived but it was edited to look as if it did). Great slow motion shots of the dogs running full out.

[gloriginger]

Jean McKenzie - who is an agility judge, breeds Lurchers. She may be able to help steer you in the right direction - this is her website

http://www.tovasighthounds.freeservers.com/

[Foxtrot_s]

o.k. absolutely, do not open the above link - or you will be lost in a sea of adorableness.

[OkLurchers]

Lurchers are the best dogs ever–got my 1st in 1986, she went everywhere with me for 15yrs, including while I braided my way through grad school. I had my 2nd for 11 yrs.–she truly was the perfect dog and it broke my heart when she died after a short bout with cancer.Both came from breeder AJ Hartung who owns Locust Valley Lurchers in Churchville, VA. She had an ad in COTH a few wks. ago advertising a couple puppies for sale. I was saving up for a 3rd puppy from AJ when our local greyhound rescue called me about a lurcher pup rescued from craigslist. I took her, so she’s my 3rd lurcher, albeit not as well bred and smart as AJ’s. We added another lurcher a year ago with a foster greyhound/deerhound cross (lurcher) that looks to be a permanent family member now.
They are amazing dogs but need to be treated like family–not the type of dog you leave in the backyard. I’ve literally seen 10 lurchers in AJ’s kitchen at the same time, all reclining regally on a combo of dog beds and chairs, all perfectly behaved–got the pictures to prove it!

[cbv]

Can you give me the contact information for the Va breeder? I am in Virginia. Where is Churchville?

I really like the long haired whippets. But on the website the most recent updates seem to be 2006.