I don't want to sound like an ignoramus, but in my fifty plus years of life I'd never heard of a Lurcher. Maybe that is because I live in the U.S. and the writer is in England where the Lurchers live. After reading the article, "Lurchers - 40MPH Couch Potato Dogs", which was lovingly put together by the owner of three of these dogs, I have fallen in love with them too. The writer, CDT, is not only writing to proudly show off her pets and tell her story, but to bring awareness to the fact that there are many of these dogs looking for good homes in the United Kingdom.
As she mentions, a Lurcher is not a breed, but a mix of various breeds that originated in Ireland and the United Kingdom. They were bred specifically for poaching and hunting small animals, which is one of the reasons you may not want a Lurcher.
The article extols the virtues of these dogs including their kind dispositions, unique and varied appearance and of course their love of running. She also mentions that even thought they can run 40mph, it doesn't mean that it's all they like to do. They enjoy their down time and her dogs sometimes like to spend time sprawled on the couch.
One of the reasons I enjoyed this article is that CDT gives us a true picture of what life with Lurchers is all about and she uses lots of her own wonderful photographs to do so. She speaks from the heart and although she clearly adores her dogs, she also explains that the Lurcher isn't the perfect pet for everyone, mainly because of their love of hunting small critters.
This is an honest, in depth look at a dog I knew nothing about. Anyone in the UK who is considering adopting a dog and wondering about having a Lurcher, should read the page which has links to rescue centers. I must warn you that once you see those big puppy eyes on that sweet face, you will be smitten.
Image Credit: Lurcher Christmas Card by madaboutgreys
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