Lurchers?

K

kal52

New member
Ive been really getting into the dog thing lately and am having a great time reading and learning about it, but I have a few questions.

From what I gather a Lurcher is a stag/sitehound crossed with something else, border collies etc. Please clarify this please. Are they crossed to get a desired size/speed.

Also do they serve another purpose than stags or are they used for the same job. Ive read people say their dog was a good "lurcher" I would assume its the role they take while out, please clarify that.

Are they used for decoy dogs, or are they too large for that.

One last one, ive noticed on alot of the stags/sitehounds they have very thin legs, does this pose a problem, Ive heard of greyhounds breaking legs, is this a major problem while running open feilds where there may be alot of holes.
I know that is always bad just wondering if its more common with these dogs.

Thanks, I know its alot, but Ive seen a few pics of lurchers and some of them are just great looking dogs. and would like to know a bit more

I am getting very excited about this lately and trying to plan for the future.
so far my little mutt has been fun, but want a back up plan in case he wont produce.

Dave
 
I have a couple Lurchers. They are not quite as big as a stag but have seen some that are. I use mine for mostly coon and rabbit but I will send them after pretty much whatever. From what I know a stag is a sight hound/ sight hound cross and a Lurcher is a sight hound/ bull cross or something else. There alot of other gentlemen on here that know more than them then I do. Some guys say Lurchers do not do that great on yotes but I have seen them have no problem. Hope this helps a bit.
 
I used to raise greyhounds, longdogs, and lurchers. A Longdog is a sighthound/sighthound cross. The American Staghound is an example. A Lurcher is a sighthound/other breed cross. The combinations are endless on lurchers, as the hunter crosses with whatever he needs for his style of hunting and quarry. Some crosses are for grit, others for agility, others for cornering ability, others for size...you see what I mean.

I used to run pitbull/greyhound lurchers for coyotes. I had 50% crosses and 75% greyhound crosses. A greyhound/pit cross is excellent on coyotes. A bit slower than the pure greyhounds...but a whole lot more grit on the catch. I used to run longdogs, as well. I had greyhound/irish wolfhound crosses. Big on size with alot of grit, but not near as productive as the pit/greyhound cross. Also, I've never had a dog break a leg while running coyotes in Illinois. Don't let the thin legs fool you. Torn pads on frozen ground were the biggest problem. Greyhounds get broken hocks, but most are due to the highspeed pileups on tracks at 40 some mph.

Lurchers are really big in Europe. I'm a member of a lurching board there. Most there cross greyhound/saluki, greyhound/pit, greyhound/bedlington terrier, or greyhound/collie, etc... Rabbits and fox are the main target and they breed for smaller and more agile lurchers.

Hope this helps...

Tony
 
that really clears things up, thanks guys.

Glad to hear that the legs arent an issue, I suppose that most of the broken legs would come from racetracks, Im not sure why I didnt put that together, guess im too focussed on one thing atm.

Do you guys have any pics? Id love to see what you guys are using, I did see one the other day on another board that was probably one of the coolest looking dogs ive ever seen, it was a red brindle with a partially rough coat, basically on its neck and part of its back, looked like a mane, was a very good looking dog, and seemed to take care of business.

we have a ton of jacks where I hunt so a small lurcher would be a ton of fun after we pile up the birds.
actually, do you let them catch them or have them run them back to you?

Thanks again, youve been very helpful

Dave
 
I will try to get a pic of mine up. She is just getting started, been on rabbit and ditch cougars, and coon this upcoming fur season. She is greyhound x pit/airedale. She is pretty quick, handles well, and great with the little terriers.
 
that would be cool, btw I was on another board the other day reading and they were talking about the lurchers not killing the terriers, is that a common thing to worry about?

I was kind of surprised to read that but is it just in the heat of things that they could get hurt or am I missing something or reading to much into it, others seemed to be in agreement that this may happen.

I hope my question makes sense.

Thanks again

Dave
 
Kal i use 2 of my stags as a leacher.
When i go barn hunting i usally take one or 2 stags to help out the Terriers.
some folks dont use stags cause they think they could get rough with the little dogs.
The power these dogs have is just unreal. This winter my Terriers located in a wall in a old house. I knocked a small hole in the wall trying to see. Now this is about 4 inch hole and we could see fur. My stag Libby pulled that full growen coon throu a 4 in hole.
I have to get the stags shut down fast after they get ahold of the coon caus they will have it skinned for you pretty fast!!
When the stags hear the Terriers open up on game they know the game is on and are on full alert.
I have raised my Terriers with my stags. That is a must.
I know others that use like the other post. Grey hound pit crosses. Grey hound Collie crosses.
I have had coons bolt out of old houses and the stags have it nailed before it gets 20 ft out the door.
A learcher is just about a must if your going to hunt Terriers. They save alot of wear and tare on your little dogs. Being what ever cross you decide with.

Vargy
 
thanks again,

i appreciate all the input, I plan on getting some more dogs sometime in the future, and this is really helping me get pointed in the right direction.

Dave
 
Speaking of breeds. Our old bud, Larry. Yrs ago, bought two purebred Saluki's. Not a very large dog, nor exceptionally fast. But both of those hounds, were very long-winded.
Always outlasting all the other sighthounds on a long chase.

I don't know off-hand whether that is a trait in that breed. Or was just the luck of the draw when he bought them.
Regardless, an impressive feat of stamina.
 
You are correct Kirby, it's a trait of the breed. We had a Saluki when I was a kid. My parents raised egyptian horses and egyptian dogs went hand in hand. I've been looking for one on for a number of years now. Very hard to get your hands on one in the US, as saluki breeders are few and strict with no-breeding contracts. The search continues. A greyhound/saluki cross is quite popular in the UK.

Tony
 
Here's a pic of my Twig.

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That is one fine looking dog, she looks very strong.
are you just using on coon or are you going to run yotes as well with her?

How large is that one, pounds and height, hard to tell by the grass but that may be a cross id look into, trying to keep the portablitly issues managagle. I have to drive pretty far to get to my stomping grounds.

again thanks for sharing

Dave
 
Here's a picture Onyx our greyhound and Gunner our BMC after a night of "lamping". Though coyotes will be the main target for these young dogs, they are currently turning into a heck of a rabbit catching team. If you get a lurcher, you'll be quite suprised on how much you'll change your hunting habits for the dog. It adds a whole new element.

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Tony
 
This is a greyhound/pitt mix that we have in the rescue. She is too agressive to be a pet but I am thinking she would be good for hunting. If anyone is interested in her, im me. She is going to be put to sleep soon due to her agression if she doesn't find her "nich".

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Shes kind of fat right now but here is a picture of her sister. When we first got them, you couldn't tell them apart.

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Quote:
That is one fine looking dog, she looks very strong.
are you just using on coon or are you going to run yotes as well with her?

How large is that one, pounds and height, hard to tell by the grass but that may be a cross id look into, trying to keep the portablitly issues managagle. I have to drive pretty far to get to my stomping grounds.

again thanks for sharing

Dave



She will be used on coon mainly this fall. She's been on a rabbit and a few ditch cougars, as she's still young. Her littermates have been on coon and lots of nutria. She's a little slow for her litter, but on par for a lurcher pup. Hopefully she keeps progressing.

I haven't measured or weighed her, but I'd guess about 23-24in at shoulder, and about 50lbs. I think she'll get maybe an inch taller, and maybe 5lbs heavier.

I think the guy I got her from is going to bred mama (pitxairedale) to a stag male for coyote dogs. I might be into one of those too......we'll see.
 
Here are my two the blue and white is Lilly and the brindle and white is Belle. They have killed a bunch off coon a few ditch cougars and got after a couple yotes hopefully a few more next winter.
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