Why bother hunting your next meal when you can train your dog to poach it? That’s just what the Irish gypsies of the 1600s did. The lurcher is a crossbreed of a sight hound, usually a greyhound, with any other breed of dog. The gypsies’ lurcher training was made easy because the dogs were naturally intelligent, agile and quick. However, the dog also needed to be stealthy in order for it to poach meals of rabbit and hare without detection. If caught, the penalty was death for both dog and man. The name lurcher is a derivative of the Roman word “lur,” which translates to “thief.”
Since the lurcher is a crossbreed and not a breed, their varieties can be innumerable, especially after many generations. Your lurcher training will be aided by determining which breed seems to be dominant in the dog’s personality. Bear in mind that collie and terrier crosses have been popular in the past. As the variety of this type of dog is great, so are the purposes for which they have been used over the years. However, since the crossbreeding is always with a sight hound, the lurcher’s job has generally been to catch and kill. Their prey ranges from small animals to wild boar and deer. Lure coursing and dog racing are natural abilities for lurchers. It is for this reason that lurcher training is now being used in Alaska. Since some sled dogs have more endurance than speed, they are being crossed with lurchers for the purpose of increasing speed.
Because of their early gypsy history, lurchers are good companions and wonderful family dogs. If you’re looking for a fun family activity, look no further than agility training for your lurcher. Because of their speed, high energy and fun-loving natures, agility would not only be a natural fit for your dog, it will be the mental and physical stimulation they need to be happy and healthy. And since lurchers also want to please their masters, your dog may excel in obedience as well. Your lurcher training will be successful when you are the confident leader who teaches with positive reinforcement. And, since they love food, treats will also work well. As a caution, when conducting your training outside of a secure area, you’ll want to properly harness your dog. Because of their sight hound instincts, they may chase after any small animal. You can expect your lurcher to live for about 13 years.
