Lurcher Care

Lurcher care is both easy and complicated. They are sighthounds, and while there are some constants — such as using a Greyhound as one of the mating breeds — there are also many variables. The main variable is that many other types of dogs could be used to produce any given Lurcher, and not just one other but two or more or different breeds. These are very fast-running dogs that nevertheless don't need much more than average exercise but are highly sensitive in other ways. On this page, you can learn about looking after a Lurcher as well as finding advice about them.

While Lurchers have one constant parent breed in the Greyhound, they don't need to run all the time. As adults, however, they need a good run at least once a day and preferably one good walk. For the most part, they won't exercise on their own, and they prefer to be with their people.

These dogs should not be exercised too strenuously prior to the age of one, and perhaps not before 15 months old. Doing so can invite arthritis later in life. A good rule of thumb among Lurcher owners has long been to only exercise the puppies for five minutes per month they have been alive. In other words, if they are 3 months old, 15 minutes of walking or physical activity will do for a single period. As puppies, these dogs can be hyperactive, and limiting formal exercise in order to tire them out can be difficult. If they are left to lie around the house, they will do just that. Collars should be carefully selected: not too heavy to injure the neck but not so slender or loose as to allow them to slip the narrow head out. These dogs must be carefully yet firmly restrained when exercising as they have a very strong prey drive and run extremely fast.

The best Lurcher exercise is simple: running! If you have a large yard and it is very well fenced, this can allow for puppies to free play and adults to run a bit. Such a fence should be at least six feet high as these dogs can jump high. There is a right amount of exercise these dogs absolutely need on a daily basis, and with trial and error you'll find it. The basic guidelines are that if they nap a long time afterward, they are getting enough. If they are tearing up the house, then they need more.

Walking: A great alternative and one that should be done at least once a day.
Sprints: Lurchers like to do a flat-out dash once a day or so, and without obstacles or any bells and whistles.
Jumping: They'll easily jump over a low fence, so why not offer some obstacles for them to jump? Make sure they are round-topped to help prevent injuries, and don't do this until they are at least 15 months old.

There's little that can be done to lessen the amount of exercise these dogs need. Keeping them mentally occupied during the day is a good thing, especially when they are pups and need to be stimulated but not allowed to injure themselves. Chew toys help greatly, as do basic agility games. They are hunters who will love a ball or other toy that allows them to run after it.

Most Lurchers tend to be easy when it comes to maintenance: low shedding of typically very short hair, and no drooling when healthy. As there are a great many combinations to this dog, however, the type of breeds used to produce your Lurcher may result in a long-haired or heavily shedding coat.

The small, pointed, and economic mouth of this multi-mixed breed dog is what helps greatly in the no-drool aspect. If there is drooling, then there is almost certainly an issue. It could be something as simple as a burr or piece of food stuck in the mouth or something a bit more complicated such as a broken tooth or other dental concern. It could be a serious problem something she ate, or a new food allergy, or a stressful reaction to a recent event.

The level of shedding is low to seemingly none for most of these dogs. Unless they are the long-haired variety or come from a Terrier, Deerhound, or Collie, they are sure to have a very short-haired, thin coat. They'll shed, but the hair will be so fine and few that you'll barely notice it. Granted, these dogs simply love to get into chairs and onto couches, so you might notice it a bit more despite that.

A small hand-vac run over the furniture once or twice a week should help to keep the hair picked up. A weekly brushing of your Lurcher's coat will also help to keep the hair from getting there in the first place. In any case, be sure to do some occasional cleaning up, or you will find that the hair will become a problem even if it doesn't seem to be there early on.

Lurcher puppies and adults tend to eat about the same amount per meal regardless of age. The puppies grow quickly in size and have many growth spurts. The only real differences of what to feed a Lurcher is in the types of food the two basic stages eat and the amount of meals they are given daily. Puppies eat more meals per day than adults. While there is at least one brand of adult Lurcher dog food named as such, there are many different diets. It's all up to which kind of other parent breed (or breeds) were mated with the Greyhound that produced your Lurcher, and how your Lurcher reacts to which food as well as other aspects.

It's pretty easy to avoid having a fat Lurcher, although you should not go by typical dog weight standards. A properly sized Lurcher should show 2 to 3 rear ribs. To many dog owners this may look like you're starving her, but this is a very common trait. If you do happen to adopt (or allow) an overweight Lurcher, many dog owners suggest a raw food diet. This is especially true for Lurchers, as they have been scavengers for centuries. (It's part of the basis of their name.) Unlike many dogs who will chase and kill simply for the "thrill," these dogs will eat what they chase down — especially rabbits. A raw diet with some veggies, olive oil, and bones can be especially good if these dogs have any tummy, stool, or weight problems. There are a great many books about Lurchers that discuss a raw diet in significant detail.

The best food for Lurchers is a mixed bag. There are so many different types of dogs that could have been mated with a Greyhound to produce your Lurcher that it means not only your budget, personal preference, and the dog's tastes should be considered but so should the types of breeds used. Still, there are dog foods meant for Lurchers that generally work very well, and one is Supadog Complete Dry Dog Food for Greyhounds & Lurchers. More particular dog owners tend to prefer Skinners Duck and Rice, however, as it is free of filler, corn, and other things that can cause allergic reactions in this particularly sensitive dog's tummy.

Generally speaking, the Lurcher can be either an inside or an outside dog. Be aware, though, that keeping a dog chained up in a yard is not recommended, as doing so will surely lead to destructive and even aggressive behavior. If you do choose to keep your Lurcher outside, be sure to provide a comfortable doghouse for the dog to sleep in.

Another consideration for owners of a Lurcher: weather. Since these dogs' coats can vary in both length and texture, their temperature tolerance will vary as well. A smaller Lurcher with a short-haired coat, for example, might get cold easily--while a larger one with a long coat won't handle hot weather very well. Overall, owners will need to use their best judgement when deciding on the climate that's best for their Lurchers.