At a glance the quick version
Size depends heavily on which sighthound and which other breed are in the mix. Purina UK gives 12-30 kg; Dogtime gives 50-85 lb (about 23-39 kg), reflecting larger Greyhound-based types.
Coat and looks how to spot one
smooth, broken, wire or long, varies
A lean, long-legged sighthound shape is typical, but the coat can be anything from sleek and short to rough, wiry or longer and flowing, depending on the non-sighthound parent.321
Personality what they are like
Because the parents differ so much, personalities vary, but lurchers are usually loyal, bright and affectionate, pairing sighthound speed with the brains of a working breed. Many are calm and relaxed indoors once they have had a good run, and they tend to love chasing things that move.321
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. Plan on 1 to 2 hours of exercise a day, with regular chances to sprint off-lead in a safely enclosed area several times a week. Lure coursing is a great outlet.321
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Smooth coats need a weekly brush. Wiry, rough or longer coats need more frequent grooming, and softer or woolly coats may need daily brushing to stay tangle-free.32
Home where they are happiest
Does not need a big house, but the garden should be very securely fenced because lurchers are agile and good at finding a way out.32
Company who they like around
Usually good with people and, with early socialisation, other dogs. Their chasing instinct means care is needed around small pets. Positive, reward-based training works best, and play can be a better reward than treats.32
The story where it all began
The word 'lurcher' has been used for crossbred dogs since at least 1668 and comes from 'lurch', an old variant of 'lurk'. When English law restricted sighthound ownership to the wealthy, ordinary people crossed sighthounds with herding or terrier breeds, giving a hunting dog that did not look like a greyhound. They were long linked with poaching rabbits and hares; today most are family companions and sporting dogs.13
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The name is recorded from 1668 and comes from 'lurch', meaning to lurk or steal about.1
- 2
A sighthound crossed with another sighthound is called a longdog rather than a lurcher.3
- 3
Lurchers are most common in Britain and Ireland.3
- 4
Their old nickname is the 'poacher's dog'.1
- 5
Many lurchers take part in lure coursing and dog racing.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Major kennel clubs
- Not a breed; 'lurcher' is a general name for a varied group of sighthound crosses, so major kennel clubs do not register it.1
- North American Lurcher and Longdog Association
- Registers lurchers in the United States.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Lurcher. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upevery year
Parents and lookalikes
Greyhound
Whippet
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Lurcher en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, recognition, history, fun facts (secondary)
- Dogtime: Lurcher dogtime.comused for height, weight, lifespan, coat, temperament, exercise
- Purina UK: Lurcher purina.co.ukused for size, weight, lifespan, coat, exercise, grooming, home, training, fun facts
Checked 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.