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An introduction to Lurchers written
by Marion Fitzgibbons, President of the Ireland SPCA....
Lurchers are usually found
here in the Gypsy camps as they are used for rabbit and hare
hunting. They try to get unwanted Greyhound bitches from the
Race Track and breed them into their own lurchers.
They like to have the dogs
small and they are also bred for endurance to maintain condition
in the winter when they hunt in the mountains and in the country
areas. The long coat is for protection and they like strong bone
in the legs. |
 Allanah |
Percy |
The dogs from the gypsies
are usually good temperament as they live with small hunting
terriers and children of all ages.
They are very healthy if they
survive their first six months in the camps. The main problem
is skin infestation from mange mites and fleas. They also suffer
from malnutrition and only the strongest of the litters survive
as they must fight for their food. |
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Many of the lurchers have
long coats and are bred to the Irish Wolfhound Cross Breeds and
sometimes to the Saluki. These dogs have a wolfhound appearance
and are very popular in England.
We cannot advertise lurchers
here as they attract all the wrong type of hunting people who
want to use them and train them to kill.
They are the most destitute
dog in Ireland because they are associated with the Irish Travellers
(gypsies) and you cannot go any lower on the social calendar
than the gypsy dog. |
Debbie |
Corky (formerly
Paul) |
Paul (now named Corky) is
one of seven very lucky lurcher puppies. His mother was a full
Greyhound and was handed into an East Coast SPCA Dog Pound for
destruction. The pound keeper called me and asked me if we could
take the mother as she was very pregnant and they did not like
to put her down.
She was then taken in briefly
by a local shelter and they drove her to the Greyhound Sanctuary
some days later. By this time she had had seven puppies and we
also agreed to take three extra lurchers that would all have
been put down.
So instead of getting one
lurcher we finished up with eleven. |
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The puppies have been with
us since they were babies but as we have had over 80 dogs in
the Sanctuary at any one time we have not had time to leash walk
them and fully socialise them.
We usually have about 30 Greyhounds
and 20 lurchers and many other breeds that are left at the gates.
I am a Director of the Sanctuary
but live about two hours from the Shelter. I also have my own
small rescue group in Limerick and we keep about 70 dogs of all
breeds and always have about ten lurchers and sometimes Greyhounds
that are waiting to get a place in the Greyhound Sanctuary. |
Corky and his
American Mom, Sue |
Corky |
Coursing Greyhounds here are
all registered like the Track Greyhounds. They all have an ear
tattoo. Coursing dogs are sometimes very like the lurchers but
are not recognised as lurchers if they have an ear tattoo.
The Coursing Dogs are usually
very large and bred to be very strong and fast and to turn very
quickly after a short sprint. The First Coursing Dog to turn
the hare is the winner of the Course.
The gypsy dog is not ear marked
and is bred for a long day open hunting in the fields and rough
terrain. The gypsy dog is usually more socialised and has a better
temperament. The Coursing Dogs are very keen and usually blooded
as young puppies.
Marion Fitzgibbons
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Carina's
Story....
I was on a
travellers site about 10 weeks ago injecting their dogs for mange when
just by accident I saw Carina. I couldn't believe the state that she
was in. She was chained up with wire. The wire around her neck had
gotten tangled on her legs so she had wire embedded on her legs. She
literally looked like a plucked turkey; she had almost no fur due to
mange, her skin was raw, and she was totally emaciated. It was a fine
day and the sun was beating down on her raw skin. She had no shelter
and no water. I felt that she was dying. I asked the gypsy man
who owned her could I take her to the vets he wouldn't give her to me
unless I gave him money.I had to pay him 50 euros. |
Carina |
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I took her to
the vet,we didn't know whether she would live or die. We didn't want
to put her down; we were desperate to save her. The vet said that she
had mange, flea infestation and she was totally dehydrated and
malnourished. She also had a temperature. It was touch and go for the
first few days but Carina showed what a little warrior she was and bit
by bit she improved and she is now unbelievably beautiful. She is so
beautiful and unusual looking you wouldn't think she is the same dog
that I bought from the gypsies.
She is a
fantastic dog, lovely temperament, a real little pet she just loves to
be cuddled. She loves everyone. You should see the coat she has
grown, it is fabulous, really furry. This lurcher is unusual in many
respects. First of all the colour and the fact that she has come back
to us from the brink of death. The man who had her says that she is
wolfhound crossed with a white whippet greyhound. They usually know
their dogs and want this line for hunting and breeding. Carina is
about a year old and now weighs around 20 kilos. Her coat is a rough
coat, white with silver brindle markings. She has grown and is now
beginning to fill out. Her face looks more square and the body shape
is showing signs of the wolf hound cross breed. She is bigger than a
whippet but not greyhound height. She is very friendly and outgoing
and just wants to get out of the kennel and play. I think she will be
good with everything. She is a miracle dog and helps to keep our
spirits up during these difficult times. |
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Carina has come
to the United States! She has been adopted by a loving family and is
thriving in her new home.
Carina |