Lurcher

The lurcher is the offspring of a sight hound mated with another breed, most commonly a pastoral breed or a terrier type of dog. Brian Plummer identifies the Norfolk lurcher as the predecessor of the modern lurcher. While not a pure breed, it is generally a cross between a sighthound and a working dog breed.Collie crosses are popular, given the working instinct of a sheepdog when mated with a sighthound gives a dog of great intelligence plus speed—prerequisites for the hunter/poacher. In the US midwest, crosses with large scent hounds are fairly common.

Description

Etymology

Many meanings of the word 'lurcher' have been suggested: from the Romany words lur meaning thief and "cur" meaning a mixed dog breed, or from Middle English, from lorchen, to lurk, perhaps from lurken. Indeed the archaic meaning of the word lurcher is a prowler, swindler, or petty thief.

Appearance

Lurchers, given their breeding to purpose, can be various sizes, as small as a Bedlington terrier or as large as a deerhound; but most, as a result of their keeper's requirements and thus breeding, are of a size similar to that of the greyhound.