5 Things you need to know before getting a Lurcher, Longdog or Sighthound

My Mum doing agility with Lorcan

I love Sighthounds. I always have, I grew up with one (a lovely golden coloured GreyhoundxSaluki named Sophie). As I got older my family got two Sighthounds, a Lurcher (GreyhoundxLabrador) called Tina, and a Longdog (Scottish DeerhoundxGreyhound) called Lorcan. Then Ruthie and I got our own little monster, Pixel (a WhippetxHerder). There is something about their sleek shape, their long muzzles and their wonderfully floppy ears. I also know they are not for everyone, they can be a real pain and incredibly stubborn.

Here is a quick explanations of what I mean by Lurchers, Longdogs and Sighthounds:

• Sighthounds: A Sighthound is any dog that relies on sight to hunt. They catch their prey through speed, whereas a scent hound catches its prey through endurance. These are dogs like Greyhounds and Whippets. 
• Lurchers: A Lurcher is a cross breed between a Sighthound and a non-Sighthound breed, typically a herding breed or a Terrier. Bred for the same jobs as typical Sighthounds, the addition of the Herder or Terrier is designed to increase their intelligence.
• Longdogs: A Longdog is a cross breed, distinct from Lurchers because they are bred from two Sighthounds. Not as intelligent as Lurchers, although a few mixes come pretty close.

Here are five things you need to know if you are thinking of getting a Lurcher, Longdog or Sighthound.

Out in the fields

1. They were born to run

Sighthounds were bred to hunt rabbits and other small game. Hunting by sight, they will spot their prey and then they will take off like a rocket. There is nothing they love more than to run about like complete lunatics, but this also means they have a highly developed chase instinct and they are constantly on the look out for something to run after. If you are not aware of your surroundings you will soon see the tail end of your dog vanishing off into the distance as they chase down whatever it is they saw. Tina and Lorcan were natural born hunters, working in perfect unison to ferret out and catch rabbits, the were highly skilled at catching their prey but this not true of every Sighthound. Pixel does have a high chase instinct, but absolutely no hunting drive. If he spots what he wants to run after, he will assume the stalking position (completely flat to the ground with the occasional crawl forward), until the moment is right for him to dash after what he wants. When he arrives to his target, he will bow and wag his tail happily before returning to me. I have even seen him dance merrily around a field mouse trying to get them to play (he has done this twice!).

If you cannot give these dogs any meaningful off-lead time to run about, they might not be for you. I take Pixel out into a secluded field where he gets about 3 miles off-lead to burn off all his energy. That is probably more than these breeds need, but he is a high energy dog that gets fed high energy food.

Cuddled up on our bed

2. They were born to sleep

People often call Greyhounds 100 mile-an-hour couch potatoes. While all Sighthounds were born to run, they were also born to sleep. All Sighthounds seem magnetically drawn to the softest thing in your house and then they will sleep upon it. Not necessarily for the most houseproud owners, Sighthounds are typically short-haired and prone to malting, leaving a furry mess where ever they sleep. If we take Pixel as an example, he sleeps for roughly 18 hours a day, saving his energy for his runs and yet he still manages to sleep through the night. Pixel loves sleeping so much that he has a bed in every room of the house (we might have gone a little overboard). Even if he doesn't have a bed, he will sleep on the sofa, or failing that he will find a pile of laundry. In short, Pixel will find a way to sleep, no matter where he is.

These breeds love to run and then they love to sleep when they come home. The more affectionate of the breeds will absolutely adore sleeping on the bed with you, snuggled up as close as they can get. Be aware, if you leave them alone they will be on your sofa or on your bed.

Lorcan in an agility tunnel

3. They can be a trainable breed

Originally they were bred to hunt, but they can do some much more than this. With Tina and Lorcan we did both Obedience and Agility. My Nan's Lurcher, Trippy, is a Pets As Therapy dog, who regularly visits the local hospital.

While they do have the reputation for being stubborn, especially Sighthounds and Longdogs, they can also be very intelligent. Lurchers in particular may need additional  stimulation owing to the herding or terrier mix that increases their intelligence.

You are unlikely to win an obedience or agility competition with these breeds, but they can take to it incredibly well (Tina would consistently finish Agility courses without any faults). These breeds can be very rewarding to train, they can also be very frustrating. Training, however, is essential, especially in regards to recall otherwise they might take off and you'll never see them again.

His first jumper was a little too big

4. They need to be dressed up

Sighthounds, Lurchers and Longdogs are incredibly athletic, they are excellent examples of selective breeding. They were bred with a single purpose in mind, to be high speed hunters, as a result of this they store basically no fat on their bodies, their fur is a thin single coat to keep their heat down, in short they are muscle and bone. As a result of this selective breeding they feel the cold very keenly so you may need to dress them up to keep them warm.

No matter what you think about people who dress their dogs up, Sighthounds definitely feel cold. For Pixel we have a jumper for when he is in the house (although we have ordered him a housecoat). In addition to this, we also have a waterproof coat for when it is raining or particularly cold outside. There is an upside to this, they might be unwilling to go particularly far when it is raining, just make sure to do some extra training or playtime to tire them out.

Not only are they prone to the cold, they are also very sensitive to heat. You may need to find a way to keep them cool. This can easily be achieved with a towel-coat (a coat made of a fabric that you dunk into water and then put on your dog). Before getting your Sighthound, Longdog or Lurcher you should consider what coats they may require.

5. They will steal your food

The word Lurcher is a bit of an etymological mystery, but I once read one of the possible origins that really rang true. Supposedly it is French for Thieving Mongrel. They will see your food, and they will know that it wrong to steal it, but when your back is turned, they will do it regardless.

One Christmas, Tina and Lorcan knocked a bowl of sweets off the side and went to town. This Christmas, Pixel found a packet of Shortbread biscuits at the end of our bed and ate the whole lot. They feel bad for it afterwards, but there is just something hardwired into their brains that prevents them being able to help themselves.

If you want to keep your food safe, you will need to put it out of reach whenever you leave a room.