Lurchers Calm, Need a Muzzle? (Checked out)


Adding a dog to your family is both an adventure and a challenge due to the long-term commitment it brings. You should consider its breed and temperament, ensuring it matches yours for a healthy relationship. Therefore, whether lurchers are calm or not, we understand it is a matter of concern that requires your attention.

So, are lurchers calm? Lurchers will be calm depending on the dominant breed trait it possesses. These dogs are a crossbreed of a sighthound and Terrier or Collie. A lurcher that inherits more of the sighthound will be calm and affectionate. It will enjoy long walks and embrace every opportunity to run. On the other hand, the Terrier side of a lurcher is stubborn and very active, especially during its early months of growth. With training and socialization, it is possible to deal with the aggression and destructive behavior, and your pet can embrace a quieter temperament.

If you want to know whether lurchers are calm dogs, this is the ultimate guide for you. We will help you know what age lurchers start to calm down, if they are playful, and whether they bite. Read through the rest of the sections for more interesting info.

What Age Do Lurchers Calm Down?

Generally, lurchers are high-energy dogs. Even the lurchers that inherit most of the sighthound will still be high energy, but you can manage these dogs without wearing yourself out with training. As a lurcher grows older and matures, it will stop being as playful and calm down, but this depends on the dog.

Lurchers have two phases of life, the puppy and adult phase, and most will calm down around 4 to 5 years of age. These dogs are very energetic and lively at their puppy stage, requiring daily walks and runs to keep them happy. They are also very fast except during sleep.

While you may want to get rid of this energy through walks and runs, too much exercise will make your lurcher puppy fall apart. On the other hand, too little exercise will make your pet overly active, and your home might as well fall apart.

Once mature, lurchers become less active, and after their running, they will tend to sleep a lot. These dogs will sleep anywhere in your house, including your bed, sofa, or floor. They will also sleep in interesting positions with a twisted neck and bent knees. Your lurcher may even sleep with its legs in the air like a dead dog.

If you are worried that your lurcher is of age but not acting like it, you can calm it with some instructions. Lurchers are intelligent and fast learners. You can train them to calm down with simple vocabulary such as ‘down’. For instance, you can tell your dog this phrase and reward it with a treat if it obeys.

Repeating this procedure every day will help your dog know that the word is meant to calm her down. At times, your lurcher might choose to ignore the commands you give it, but this is normal. However, with time, it will respond well though not in the way you expect.

Are Lurchers Playful?

One of the reasons people prefer owning dogs for a pet is their playful nature. Lurchers are not an exemption, with some breeds being more active than others.

Lurchers are playful, especially during their early months of growth. Play is one way a lurcher will build or discover relationships, which is why you should play with it regularly. Keeping your pet busy through play will also discourage the development of unacceptable behavior.

Some of the games you can play with your lurcher include tug of war, hide and seek, and chase after, among others. You can also provide comfort toys, self-amusement toys, and interactive toys for your pet to play with while you are away.

The activities you use to keep your lurcher active and playful will depend on its character. Therefore, it is your responsibility to know what makes your pet happy and try out different games and toys before you know what it likes. After that, you can incorporate the play or toy into your pet’s routine.

While some lurchers are naturally playful, others will require a few lessons from their owners. To start these lessons, you should determine your pet’s preferences. This includes the textures it likes, whether it likes petting, and its favorite treats. If your pet loves soft materials, then soft toys will work for them. You should reward your pet with its favorite treat as an incentive when it does something right during play. You can also pet it during playtime as an added activity.

When teaching your lurcher how to play, you should take advantage of the times they are most energetic. Using these hours for play and other activities will drain most of their energy constructively and allow you to do your activities afterward as your lurcher naps.

Teaching your lurcher how to play is a gradual process. You can start by leaving the toys around your pet for familiarization. If your pet gets excited by these toys, you can reward them with a treat.

After that, you can join in and interact with your pet through the toys. Gradually, introduce the rules of the game to your pet as you identify its likes. Finally, settle for the activities your lurcher likes and enjoy playing together.

Due to their playful nature, lurchers are friendly pets for both adults and children. If properly trained from an early age, lurchers are tolerant of child behavior and will not harm your children. However, you should equally teach your children to interact with it gently and respectably. Lurchers are also respectable to strangers, and while they may not greet them with the excitement of wagging tails, they will not bark at them.

If you have other dog breeds in your house, your lurcher will exhibit a variation in behavior depending on its training. An untrained lurcher will be reactive to other dogs and requires supervision during interactions. Since they are hunter dogs, lurchers will likely chase your cat due to its sighthound instinct. However, if introduced to the cat while young, they will coexist peacefully.

Do Lurchers Bite?

Generally, lurchers are good-natured hunter dogs. Occasionally, they can fight or exhibit unwanted behavior depending on the circumstances.

Lurchers will bite if stressed, defending their territory or a behavior developed from their abusive background. If your lurcher bites you or your family members either due to aggression or demanding attention, you should stop this behavior before it is too late. This is possible through rewards and reactions.

Every time your pet bites you, you can react with a loud “ouch.” This reaction will shock your pet and make it know it is hurting you; hence, stop. You can also reward your pet with its favorite treats every time it does not bite you. Replacing the people he bites or attacks with toys may also help alleviate this behavior.

The bitey face is another typical behavior in lurchers. This behavior makes them stand out, especially if they are a crossbreed of sighthounds. The bitey face is not a fight or attack but rather a game in which two lurchers will open their mouths and “fight” each other with their bites while wagging their tails furiously. You will hear their teeth clash, and the heads will end up in each other’s mouths.

Bleeding can also occur and can be profuse in case of accidental ear bites. This game could happen on one spot or different spots between runs, and your lurchers will take breaks in between. The game may also last for many rounds, and your pets will only stop when tired.

A bitey face is an indicator of your dog’s having fun, and you should not interrupt. While they will bite each other in the process, they do not sink their teeth into each other’s skin. However, you should monitor your dogs to ensure no serious injuries are sustained. Some owners spray their dogs with cold water to surprise and stop the game when it goes too far.

Should lurchers be muzzled?

There’s a lot of misinformation surrounding the use of muzzles by dog owners. Most people associate it with dangerous or “bad” dogs, but it isn’t necessarily the case, as we are yet to see. Lurchers, for instance, are one of the gentlest dogs, but certain situations call for the use of muzzles.

Lurchers need a soft muzzle when they get aggressive to keep other animals and property safe. It is necessary because it stops them from biting and injuring other pets. You can use a basket or a soft muzzle, depending on how hostile your dog can get. However, it is not advisable to regularly use a muzzle because it completely shuts their mouth tight, denying them room to pant or move their jaws freely.

If you are new to the fantastic family of lurcher owners, you need to know how to deal with your dog when it gets aggressive. Read on for a detailed analysis on why lurchers wear muzzles, the type of muzzles available for your lurcher, and if lurchers are aggressive and dangerous dogs.

Most dogs may dislike muzzles since it denies them the freedom to open their mouth or move their jaws. It usually takes time and thorough training for most dogs to accept it as a regular part of their lives. As a lurcher parent, you may wonder why you need to muzzle your dog.

The main reason for muzzling lurchers is to counter aggressive tendencies towards other animals or humans. Secondly, it prevents lurchers from eating or chewing the items they find when you take them outside. It also comes in handy to protect property, especially those owned by other people, since they can damage essential items. Lastly, if your lurcher is sensitive or allergic to certain things, it is best to keep it away from close contact with the allergens by covering its mouth.

Some dogs can get aggressive with other dogs or humans and attack them, especially when they feel the need to defend themselves. Some are also hostile towards small animals, which may be dangerous if you have small pets around. It could also be a problem for your neighbors’ or stranger’s pets that unluckily contact them.

Although dogs are friendly and cuddly, they still have innate tendencies that you can’t take away. Lurchers use their strong jaws and teeth when they need to defend themselves or hunt down their prey.

They can attack other animals, and, unfortunately, the victims can be other people’s pets. You wouldn’t want to pay for damages relating to injuries or the death of another owner’s pet. Hence, if your dog can get aggressive when in the presence of other animals, then the last resort is muzzling.

The good thing is, not all lurchers show aggression the same way. Others would instead growl or stiffen to alert you that something is amiss. Some owners would rather keep them leashed at all times, but it isn’t a guaranteed method because they can break away when in attack mode.

The surest way is to muzzle them, and the advantage with the system is that you are safe to walk them off their leash. If you are worried that the muzzles will be too restrictive, there are different types available in the market that are pretty comfortable for your dog; others even leave enough room to pant or drink.

Types of Muzzles

Your dog’s safety is paramount when selecting the best muzzle. It should be the best fit to stay comfortable and the right style to suit your needs. There are two main muzzle types, both safe to use with your lurcher in certain circumstances.

  • Basket Muzzle

As the name suggests, the basket muzzles are basket-like structures that go over your dog’s mouth. They come in different shapes and designs, and the material can be plastic, rubber, or wire. There are various options available which you can find as ready-made products or custom-made to fit perfectly.

Most owners find these muzzles very comfortable because they allow your dog to move its jaws as it pants or barks. Other designs also allow your pet to drink or eat tiny treats, which helps in the training process. Given they are loose-fitting, they cannot stop a dog from excessive barking. They are only effective in keeping them from biting and injuring others.

  • Soft Muzzle

Unlike the basket alternatives, the soft muzzle option keeps your dog’s mouth entirely shut, meaning that it cannot bark, pant, or bite. These are effective in extreme cases of aggression when you are confident that your lurcher will attack. They can be leather, mesh, or nylon, depending on your preference.

Although they seem more humane, some owners avoid them because they can be dangerous. They prevent your dog from panting, which is the only way they can relieve themselves of excessive heat, a process that is the human version of sweating. Therefore, it is not advisable to use them during extreme heat.

Are Lurchers Aggressive?

Lurchers are a powerful dog breed with rare yet outstanding personalities. They are well-built with powerful jaws and canines that make them pretty skilled fighters. Therefore, it is essential to know whether other people or animals can become their victims, given their genetic makeup and skills.

These dogs are usually peaceful but can become aggressive when they need to defend themselves from attacks by other dogs or predators. In such cases, lurchers will use their hunting skills and high speed to fight for their lives. Their innate survival instincts immediately kick in, and they will do anything in their power to stay alive.

If you are well-familiar with your pet, you can tell when they are in attack mode. You can watch out for behaviors like tail wagging, growling, or raised fur to show that they are frightened.

Lurchers may also exhibit hostility during courtship or when they meet other males. You may also find your dog a bit aggressive when you haven’t exposed it to other pets before. Lastly, a nursing lurcher can be hostile when she wants to protect her puppies.

Lurchers can also be dangerous to potential prey on sight when they want to hunt them down. The dog may also growl when you approach them when eating since they can be protective of their food.

Ultimately, lurchers make ideal pets, and with enhanced training and more socializing, they can be gentle only showing a little aggression when they have to. Similarly, you can help them relax more by creating a conducive environment for them.

Lurchers are active hunters and love running to remain fit. Therefore, they need adequate space to run and play, and you can always take them for walks to exercise more. Otherwise, being in a cramped place will only stress your pet, resulting in aggressive tendencies.

Are Lurchers Dangerous Dogs?

Dogs make great pets because they are meek, loving, and loyal to their owners. However, they are still instinctive creatures who often need to explore things, defend themselves, and hunt for food. If you are a new lurcher owner, you may need to know your dog’s nature to understand how best to deal with it.

Lurchers can only be dangerous if they get the training to be hostile with other people or animals. Otherwise, they are generally docile and friendly, making them a favorite dog breed among many owners. The animals are loving and meek towards other people, all qualities they borrow from their parent breed.

Lurchers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train due to their unique relationship with humans. Experts suggest that this dog species makes a perfect pet, especially when you care for them early. It is unfortunate that some owners take advantage of this and train their animals to be lethal weapons.

These dogs are not dangerous; they are some of the sweetest pets you can keep. They may only acquire the tendencies to attack if they get thorough training. Some individuals buy puppies and keep them aiming to turn them into weapons. Since they are obedient and intelligent, they can learn to do many things, including dangerous behaviors.

Such dogs will sadly grow to be hostile to other humans and animals. These dogs can be terrifying and eventually turn out different from other dogs meaning that you cannot pet them or come close.

Additionally, lurchers can be dangerous when they undergo abuse from inhumane owners. Subjecting them to any form of cruelty, physical or psychological, can turn the sweet dogs into feral creatures. Some experts believe that you can rehabilitate these lurchers to make them loyal and loving pets. The silver lining is that some dogs fail to turn even after training; hence, not all lurchers can become lethal.

Finally

Generally, lurchers are active and playful dogs. They are mostly active as puppies and become calmer with age. To reduce their high energy levels, you can take your lurchers for long walks or runs. Alternatively, you can provide toys or play with your lurcher.

Plays and walks are most effective when your lurcher’s energy levels are high. If your lurcher is not as playful, you can teach it how to play with simple instructions since lurchers are good in commands and learn faster. You should also identify the activities your pet likes and incorporate them during play.

Finally, lurchers are peaceful dogs, but, if threatened, they can bite to defend themselves. This behavior is manageable with training through rewards and reactions. Lurchers are also known for their bitey face game in which they appear to be eating each other’s heads.

They will play this game without injuring each other, but there are instances of accidental injuries. Interfering with your dog’s play is only advisable in case of serious injury. With good training from a tender age, lurchers make good pets for both adults and children. This pet will also coexist with your other household pets with proper training and introduction.

Not all lurchers need muzzling; it is only effective in cases where the pet shows aggressive tendencies. If your pet is violent towards other animals or tends to destroy property, you can counter it by covering their mouth. However, you need to provide a comfortable muzzle for them to pant or bark when they have to. It is advisable to avoid soft muzzles covering them entirely to leave room to pant when it’s too hot.

Luckily, lurchers are generally docile and will only get aggressive when they see a potential prey or need to defend themselves. The muzzle is only a safety measure in case the instinct kicks in.

Bal Kang

Bal Kang is an owner of several pets including reptiles, cats and dogs. An avid writer, who loves to share her insights into caring for pets.

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