Lurcher

Lurchers can make wonderful family dogs for calmer households with older, responsible dog-savvy children. They need families who respect their space, as adult Lurchers can often be sensitive worriers, preferring calm and gentle interactions.  

Their slim frame makes them less robust than other dogs of a similar size, so they’re not a fan of rough-and-tumble or boisterous, loud play. Their love of calm, predictable environments make them better suited to families who enjoy a relaxed pace of life. 

Younger Lurchers in particular can be very bouncy, mouthy, and playful. Small children could easily get scared – or even knocked over – by their goofy antics! Like all dogs, it’s important to actively supervise Lurchers around children. This helps to prevent any accidents or inappropriate interactions. 

Lurchers usually get along well with other dogs – especially Sighthound types. They can even live peacefully with confident cats if they’re introduced to each other carefully. Small pets are a no-go, sadly. They’re likely to trigger a Lurcher’s chase instinct. 

Lurchers absolutely adore snuggles and will regularly lean into their humans for affection and a soothing scratch (literally – they’re big on leaning). They’re also gentle and intuitive, often adapting their level of affection to the mood of their owner (yes, they’re that clever). If you’re up for belly rubs or ear scratches, they’ll be there. And if you’re having a rough day, expect them to curl up beside you and put their head on your lap. 

This breed mix wear their hearts on their long, elegant ‘sleeves’. But, sometimes, constant or over-the-top fuss can make them worried.  

They get serious FOMO (fear of missing out). So they’ll often follow you quietly around the house to make sure you’re not doing anything fun without them (especially something involving snacks). Another reason is to check you’re still around! As a breed mix which loves being with people, they tend to struggle when spending a lot of time on their own. 

Absolutely – especially when they’re youngsters! But the adults are only playful in short bursts, when the mood strikes. They’ll be snoozing in a warm spot as soon as they’re done. 

Lurchers are natural sprinters and can reach speeds of over 40mph! So they need a large, enclosed area to get the most out of every run. They’re not marathon runners or hikers, so play and exercise little and often are the key to keeping them happy. They love a good game of chase, especially if you use a flirt pole toy to simulate chasing and catching prey. Even better if they have another dog friend to run after, too! Don’t expect endless play sessions, though – they'd much rather sleep the day away. But those few minutes of fun will keep them happy – and keep you laughing at their goofy antics.

Not really. Lurchers are generally quiet and reserved. They prefer to communicate with soulful stares or dramatic sighs. But they might bark at strangers approaching their home. Excitement can also make them bark – usually when it’s playtime! Some Lurchers may ‘chat’ by whining or grumbling for attention, so don’t be surprised if they guilt-trip you into extra snuggles or snacks. Mental stimulation and training them on how to ‘ask’ for things politely is key. This will keep their inner drama queen at bay!

Lurchers love their humans and may become anxious or destructive if left alone for too long. They thrive in homes where someone is often around.  

Their Sighthound heritage gives them a strong prey drive (hunting instinct), which means they enjoy chasing anything that moves – whether that's small animals, children, or even cyclists and joggers. This also makes recall tricky (coming back when called). So it’s safest to keep them on a lead, or let them off in secure, fenced areas.  

As youngsters, Lurchers tend to be bouncy and playful. This goes hand in hand with getting into mischief and cheeky behaviour – like tugging on your clothes or jumping on you to ‘ask’ for playtime! 

Many adult Lurchers haven’t lived in a house. They’ve often spent time scavenging outdoors, so their manners may need some work. You’re likely to find them with their nose in the bin or paws on the kitchen counter, looking for snacks. They may also need extra help with house training and learning what’s okay to jump on and what’s not (sofa, maybe! Coffee table? Not so much). If they’ve not had regular meals or a comfy place to rest, they may be protective of their bed, food, or special treats. So give them space and let them snack in peace. 

Without proper training, socialisation, exercise, and mental stimulation, all dogs can develop behavioural issues. 

The ideal home for a Lurcher has soft, comfy bedding for snoozing and a secure, fully fenced garden for zealous zoomies. Lurchers can live in a small home or flat, as long as they get opportunities to sprint, sniff, and play. 

They’re happiest with calm, dog-savvy owners who understand their quirks. Homes with small pets or unsecured fencing are less suitable, given their love for chasing anything fast-moving. 

If you’ve got patience, love, and a spare spot on the sofa, a Lurcher could be your perfect match! 

Lurchers are sprinters, not marathon runners. They only need around 30–60 minutes of daily exercise. This could involve a few minutes of sprinting off-lead in a secure area, followed by a calm walk to wind down. Their Sighthound heritage means they love (and need) to run. But they’re also content lounging somewhere comfy in a warm spot for the rest of the day. 

Mental stimulation is essential to keeping their clever minds engaged, as well as keeping them out of trouble! So consider feeding them using puzzle toys, playing scent work games, and giving them things to safely shred and destroy. They also love playing flirt pole games if you have a large enough outdoor space. 

In a nut-shell, this means balancing short bursts of activity with plenty of rest time for your elegant couch potato. 

Lurchers are a bit harder to train than some dogs. This is because of their independent streak and Sighthound instincts. They respond well to gentle, reward-based training but may test your patience at times (especially when food or small animals are involved).  

All dogs need reward-based training and socialisation to learn basic behaviours, which includes how to interact with other dogs, animals, and people. Without this, they can develop anxiety or rude behaviour in certain situations. This can make them hard to manage, leading to extra time spent on training later on. As dogs mature, they go through several life stages that can evolve their behaviour. This means focusing on certain aspects of training at each stage. We can help you with this through our free behaviour advice. 

Common behavioural issues to watch out for include: 
Chasing small animals due to prey drive (hunting instinct) 
Separation anxiety (struggling to cope home alone) 
Housetraining challenges (especially for ex-strays) 
Countersurfing and food theft (stealing food from kitchen work surfaces) 
Poor recall in off-lead situations (coming back when called)

When it comes to grooming, Lurchers are pretty low-maintenance. Their short coats only need a quick brush once a week to remove loose hair. And they rarely need baths unless they roll in something smelly (which they probably will!).  

A Lurcher’s thin skin is prone to cuts and scrapes, so regular checks are important. During colder months, they’ll need a coat to stay warm on walks.  

Regular baths, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care are also important for a Lurcher’s overall wellbeing. This can be done at home if you train them to enjoy grooming from the start. 

Keeping your dog in tip top health involves regular vet check-ups and vaccinations, a balanced and complete diet, consistent exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. This everyday care is crucial to preventing common health issues and reducing the impact of any existing ones. 

Common health conditions in Lurchers include: 
Bloat: a life-threatening condition needing immediate attention. 
Arthritis: common in older Lurchers, especially ex-racers. 
Cuts and scrapes: their thin skin is prone to injuries during play or zoomies. 
Dental disease: regular brushing and dental chews help reduce the risk. 
Corn injuries: similar to Greyhounds, they may develop painful corns on their paw pads. 

You can help keep your dog in tip-top shape with regular health checks, a good diet and exercise.