' a Good Lurcher '

[danwolf]

This is an excerpt from an article written by J. Darcy in a long running series written by hunters on what makes a good lurcher from last month's Earth Dog Running Dog magazine. I add this because I found it funny and insightful, and also because of my opinion that all the long legged terriers not fit for ground were originally required to and bred to act as a lurcher among other duties.
" Like I said, one mans meat is another mans poison and the very things I want in my dog may not be what the next man wants.
In my own lurcher I look for speed, huntiing ability and a desire to please. Scooby is my ideal dog; when fit he tips the scales at 68lb and touches 27" at shoulder.
A big dog and i'm sure many ask, Why so big?
Because I like them that way and I like my lurcher to be able to take practically anything he may encounter on our little hunting sorties across the UK.
For those big fallow & sika deer you need a big dog. I know that some will run them wlittle /23"dogs, and they may catch the odd one, but I have seen such little dogs being dragged off into the woods when hung onto a large fallow.
Under scrutiny the catches these small dogs make are generally on fences and never in the open.
I am, off course referring to single handed lurcher work, for the use of 2 dogs means very little indeed and any victory is a hollow one.
Fallow can reach 200lb and they would run off w/a 40lb dog as if did not exists. I have seen it happen. Even a big doe can give a dog a hard time and I have seen my own lurcher dragged up a field by a big , fat doe.
For the smaller species of deer, the size of the lurcher isn't as important as technique.
Smaller deer can be tripped, but those big critters will keep on running if the same technique is applied.
Size also brings speed and heigth, meaning the dog will be able to see better over long grass and vegatation much easier, too."

" For the land I work, hunting ability is a 'must have.' In my opinion the very essence of lurcherwork, in its purest form is to see the dog hunt for itself, free from human intervention.
Scenting the wind, working it all out and deciding what to do. To me, letting the dog make the decisions is great to watch and very educational. Some of the areas on my permission are ideal for such styles of hunting.
The dog must find, sight and then run down his quarry and there is no way his handler can assist
due to the terrain and size of area covered."
Here's how he ends it.

" But let us never forget, a lurcher must be lethal."

[hicntry]

I read that article. It was interesting. I would think a 200lb deer woulkd be a handful for a 68lb dog.

[danwolf]

I think it shoes how bloody awesome and strong a working dog can and should strive to be. It also goes to show the awesome genetic or learned behavior of technique. Those big deer or big game lurchers grab by the neck and head, pulling it down or delaying it for dispatch, not grabbing its legs. But, remember deer aren't coyote or boar with weapons of mass destruction either, except the hooves.