The Lurcher is a type of dog rather than a breed of dog. It is a crossbreed, generally between a sighthound (traditionally the Greyhound) and a member of the terrier or pastoral group of dogs.

Because of their genetic makeup, Lurchers tend to be versatile in the extreme, combining both excellent family pet or companion dog with an exceptional hunting ability and all round sporting capability.

Because the Lurcher is a type of dog rather than a breed, it can vary greatly in appearance. Since there is no recognised breed standard, Lurchers can be as large as a Deerhound or as small as a Whippet. They can also be of any colour and have a coat that varies between short and long. The one thing that all Lurchers have in common is that they are all sighthounds, which is to say, dogs that hunt by sight rather than by smell.

There are many quality Lurcher breeders who have puppy Lurchers for sale.

Do your research. Check out the various Lurcher breeders that you find online. Check to see if they also offer a health guarantee. There are thousands of Lurcher puppies for sale all waiting to be taken home and loved, just make sure you choose the right one for you.

Decide why you want a Lurcher puppy. Are you looking for a working dog or is it simply a family pet or companion dog? It will make a difference as to the breeder you choose.

Make sure you see your Lurcher puppy’s mother – it’s the best way of knowing how your puppy will look when it’s fully grown.

If you find the perfect puppy from a breeder that still has Lurcher puppies for sale we would love you to share the information with us. Please comment your experience and breeder information below.

If you have Lurcher puppies for sale that you would like to advertise on lurchers.co.uk please contact us on:

Please see the advertising info here.

Lurchers are intelligent, gentle and affectionate dogs with a natural willingness to learn and to please. Nonetheless, it should be remembered that the Lurcher was originally bred to work and hunt. This should be borne in mind before you buy a Lurcher.

Like all dogs, Lurchers need training and early socialization. Their natural instinct is to chase its prey, so they need to be made aware that such behaviour is not acceptable in a family pet. Of course if you want a Lurcher because of its considerable competence at dog sports, that is a different matter. Lurchers are highly trainable and excel at dog agility and obedience trials, lure coursing and dog racing.

In summary, the Lurcher makes a wonderful family pet providing it is properly trained and socialized from an early age. Training should always be positive, varied and mentally stimulating for your Lurcher.

If you would like to read more about owning a Lurcher, please read some of these excellent, highly recommended books:

* The House Lurcher by: Jackie Drakeford
* Pet Owner’s Guide to the Lurcher by: Jason Framlingham
* The Lurcher: Training and Hunting by: Frank Sheardown
* The Lurcher: A Complete Guide by: Jon Hutcheon
* The Working Lurcher: The Traditional Skills by: Jackie Drakeford
* Understanding the Working Lurcher by: Jackie Drakeford

Before you purchase your Lurcher puppy, consider why you want a Lurcher in the first place. It will greatly determine what sort of puppy and what sort of Lurcher breeder you are looking for. Simply searching for Lurcher puppy breeders will not necessarily guarantee you your desired result.

Lurchers were originally bred for their ability to hunt down their prey by sight. The Lurcher is a crossbreed between any sighthound (invariably and traditionally the Greyhound) and any member of the terrier or pastoral group of dogs such as the Bedlington Terrier or Rough Collie. This combination has created a dog not only of exceptional hunting ability, but also a gentle, affection family pet or companion dog depending on the breeds used in its creation.

So, do you want a working Lurcher? If so, please see The Working Lurcher.

Do you want a Sporting Lurcher? If so, please see The Sporting Lurcher.

Do you want a Lurcher for a family pet or companion dog? If so, please see Lurchers as Pets or Companion dogs.

You would be surprised at the number of Lurcher health issues you could actually diagnose and treat yourself, at a fraction of the cost of taking your Lurcher to the vet.

Written by vet John Bleby, The Dog’s Health from A-Z: A Canine Veterinary Dictionary, descibes how many canine illnesses can be self-diagnosed and treated, or avoided altogether, with a little knowledge and understanding.

While this book cannot take the place of your vet, it certainly demonstrates that there is much that you can do to prevent many problems happening in the first place. We are more than happy to recommend this excellent book which is certain to pay for itself in the fullness of time!

Lurchers can make excellent family pets or companion dogs. They are calm, gentle and affectionate and love the company of people. They are also clean dogs with no noticeable ‘doggy’ odour. Lurchers are also excellent with children.

For further information on Lurchers as pets or companion dogs, we are happy to recommend The House Lurcher by Jackie Drakeford, an author who has published many notable books on the subject of the Lurcher.