Discussion
I recently got a DNA test done on my lurcher. 3/8 greyhound. 3/8 whippet, 1/8 Beddlington Terrier, 1/8 mongrel
From other owners and myself I have the following observations:
- You tend to get the speed and physical prowess of the sighthound but not so much of the laziness. Yes they will sleep for hours on a sofa but they need way more exercise than say a Greyhound.
- More sighthound the greater the prey drive and the less good as a gundog I would think. Mine came from a rescue and he'll hunt down at full speed any rabbit, squirrel or cat if given the chance.
- The more sighthound the worse the recall. And if they have a high prey drive then a red genetic mist descends when they give chase and there's no way they'll come back. Remember they are up to full speed in six strides.
- The cross element seems to be where you get things like the trainability, endurance and levels of vocalness and playfullness. I imagine a Collie lurcher will be super smart and be easy to train and good at agility.
- They like to "box" with other dogs and play involves running around at high speed, preferably with other dogs. Their big chests make for a deep bark so if you get a particularly vocal and playful dog it needs lots of socialising or else it may come across to other owners as aggressive.
- Having said that, while there are always exceptions, most lurchers I've known are great with people and wouldn't naturally be aggressive to a dog. A sheep or pheasant yes, but not a dog.
- Many don't like water
- They're very good at self regulating their intake and output of energy. Eat too many treats and they'll want to run an extra mile. If they don't go out in the rain then they won't eat as much.
- Most tend to be very clean. Even hairy ones don't have much hair and so they don't smell and don't lie down in muddy puddles etc.
- they will 'counter surf' kitchen counters naturally without training and seem to like to go up on furniture naturally. Of course you can train this out of them early enough but it just seems to be something in them. I think this is a sighthound trait.
- The more greyhound the more docile, the more whippet the more twitchy and the more Saluki then the more daft seems to be the case in common with their fore-bearers. I've not met any lurchers with the huge sighthounds in them so can't comment on those traits.
From other owners and myself I have the following observations:
- You tend to get the speed and physical prowess of the sighthound but not so much of the laziness. Yes they will sleep for hours on a sofa but they need way more exercise than say a Greyhound.
- More sighthound the greater the prey drive and the less good as a gundog I would think. Mine came from a rescue and he'll hunt down at full speed any rabbit, squirrel or cat if given the chance.
- The more sighthound the worse the recall. And if they have a high prey drive then a red genetic mist descends when they give chase and there's no way they'll come back. Remember they are up to full speed in six strides.
- The cross element seems to be where you get things like the trainability, endurance and levels of vocalness and playfullness. I imagine a Collie lurcher will be super smart and be easy to train and good at agility.
- They like to "box" with other dogs and play involves running around at high speed, preferably with other dogs. Their big chests make for a deep bark so if you get a particularly vocal and playful dog it needs lots of socialising or else it may come across to other owners as aggressive.
- Having said that, while there are always exceptions, most lurchers I've known are great with people and wouldn't naturally be aggressive to a dog. A sheep or pheasant yes, but not a dog.
- Many don't like water
- They're very good at self regulating their intake and output of energy. Eat too many treats and they'll want to run an extra mile. If they don't go out in the rain then they won't eat as much.
- Most tend to be very clean. Even hairy ones don't have much hair and so they don't smell and don't lie down in muddy puddles etc.
- they will 'counter surf' kitchen counters naturally without training and seem to like to go up on furniture naturally. Of course you can train this out of them early enough but it just seems to be something in them. I think this is a sighthound trait.
- The more greyhound the more docile, the more whippet the more twitchy and the more Saluki then the more daft seems to be the case in common with their fore-bearers. I've not met any lurchers with the huge sighthounds in them so can't comment on those traits.
Edited by BigTZ4M on Monday 19th February 16:10
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