Also called Poacher's dog · Great Britain and Ireland.
Because the parents differ so much, personalities vary, but lurchers are usually loyal, bright and affectionate, pairing sighthound speed with the brains of a working breed.
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Weight | 12 to 30 kg (26 to 66 lb)12 |
| Height | 50 to 74 cm (20 to 29 in)2 |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years12 |
| Coat | Smooth, broken, wire or long, varies |
| Origin | Great Britain and Ireland.32 |
Because the parents differ so much, personalities vary, but lurchers are usually loyal, bright and affectionate, pairing sighthound speed with the brains of a working breed. Many are calm and relaxed indoors once they have had a good run, and they tend to love chasing things that move.123
A typical home-care rhythm for a Lurcher. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
High. Plan on 1 to 2 hours of exercise a day, with regular chances to sprint off-lead in a safely enclosed area several times a week. Lure coursing is a great outlet.123
Does not need a big house, but the garden should be very securely fenced because lurchers are agile and good at finding a way out.12
Usually good with people and, with early socialisation, other dogs. Their chasing instinct means care is needed around small pets. Positive, reward-based training works best, and play can be a better reward than treats.12
Smooth coats need a weekly brush. Wiry, rough or longer coats need more frequent grooming, and softer or woolly coats may need daily brushing to stay tangle-free.12
Feed your adult Lurcher at least two meals a day, as their stomach empties within a few hours. Puppies need three to four smaller meals. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.4
Feed a high-quality dog food suitable for their age and activity level. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts. Avoid raw or undercooked meat and raw eggs, and never give cooked bones, which can splinter.5
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath every eight weeks, but you can bathe more often if they get dirty. At least once every three months is fine, using a dog-safe shampoo.6 Pet Wiki plan
Smooth-coated Lurchers need a weekly brush, while wiry or longer coats need more frequent grooming. Softer coats may need daily brushing to prevent tangles.12 Pet Wiki plan
Trim nails every four weeks, or sooner if you hear clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick to avoid pain and bleeding.6 Pet Wiki plan
Plan for 1 to 2 hours of exercise daily, with regular chances to sprint off-lead in a secure area. Lure coursing is a great outlet for their chasing instinct.123 Pet Wiki plan
Brush teeth two to three times a week with dog toothpaste, ideally daily. Check ears every two weeks, wiping the outer part only, and never push anything into the ear canal.6 Pet Wiki plan
Lurchers typically live between 12 and 15 years, bringing you many happy years of companionship.12
Yes, they are usually good with people and, with early socialisation, other dogs. However, their chasing instinct means care is needed around small pets like cats or rabbits.12
This varies by individual dog. With proper training and enrichment, some can be left for reasonable periods, but they thrive on company. For specific advice, ask a good breeder or your vet.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Running costs for a Lurcher, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
No breed-specific rule names the Lurcher in the 61 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
Many Lurchers are less driven by food rewards than other breeds, so toys can do much of the training work and treats can stay a small extra. Keep food out of reach, since they are known to steal it.
Source: purina.co.uk
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
The name is recorded from 1668 and comes from 'lurch', meaning to lurk or steal about.3
A sighthound crossed with another sighthound is called a longdog rather than a lurcher.1
Lurchers are most common in Britain and Ireland.1
Their old nickname is the 'poacher's dog'.3
Many lurchers take part in lure coursing and dog racing.3
The term 'lurcher' is an old English word for a crossbred dog, first used with this meaning in 1668, and is considered to be derived from the verb 'lurch', a variant of 'lurk', meaning to lurk or steal.3
I wake up, stretch, and give my human a nudge. We head to the field, I sprint after a rabbit-shaped shadow, just for fun. Back home, I curl on the sofa, dozing. After lunch, we play chase with a ball. I love the feeling of running fast. In the evening, I rest my head on a lap, content. It's a good day: a run, a cuddle, and a full heart.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
The word 'lurcher' has been used for crossbred dogs since at least 1668 and comes from 'lurch', an old variant of 'lurk'. When English law restricted sighthound ownership to the wealthy, ordinary people crossed sighthounds with herding or terrier breeds, giving a hunting dog that did not look like a greyhound. They were long linked with poaching rabbits and hares; today most are family companions and sporting dogs.31
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
Greyhound
Whippet
Saluki