What do you reckon lurcher x dog would be like for a family with small children?

[Wallace]

Only ever had labradors, but having been looking at a rescue pup. Mother is a lurcher, father is unknown but maybe a terrier judging by the short legs!

I can offer no advice - but wanted to say AAAAH, how cute!

Awww (broody). Ours is a whippet x terrier and so soft. Just wants cuddles. Very good with children once past the usual puppy stage of jumping and nipping.

i dunno but i want one!!! cutie

Wallace, hi (E from G here :) ) didn't notice this was you until I clicked the link and did a double take ! I know some of his relatives and they are very laid back, friendly dogs on the whole. I'm a huge lurcher fan anyway - we have two - and they do make good pets. Prey drive will possibly be your biggest problem.

With young DC it's more about being able to keep the dog safe from them than the other way round IMO, breed is much less relevant. Lifestyle-wise many lurchers are really lazy, only needing a quick burst of running then happy to return to their rightful spot on the sofa. If you have room for a crate so a dog can have a child-free haven then you're half way there :)

Lurchers are adorable. My sister has one and she is the most lovable dog.

awww, he is soooo cute.

Let me tell you the story of the lurcher x that i got as a companion for my 70yr old mother. I used to work as a vet nurse and puppy was abandonned with us over xmas. My dad was in poor health and in a care home, i thought the dog would be good for my mum, which to be fair, he has been. He is about 6 years old now. Now bear in mind, i have lots of doggie experience as did the vets and nurses when we looked at this tiny little puppy and thought, hmmmm, he will be small collie size. Well, he grew! and grew, and grew and grew - he is now a yeti of a dog that weighs 60kg (about 9.5 stone) and my mum probably weighs about 7.5 stone!!

Hi ohbugrit (your dd's first sentence by any chance?) That is really great to know.

Still very much in the just dreaming stage. Our old dog is on her way out and I was adamant that I wouldn't be replacing her straight away.

Then I saw the above pup and my heart went Awwwww. Nice to know he would probably make a good family dog. We would be getting a crate for his own safety!

As I say, only considering the possibility at the moment. By the time we are ready to seriously think about a pup he will probably be gone - he is so cute he won't hang around.

lol Goawaybob! Bet he looks after her

Sid looks lovely; I'd pick him! We have a lurcher. She's grown rather fond of toddlers leftovers dropped biscuits
She is utterly gentle and good natured. Unless you're a cat

We had our old dog PTS on Wednesday :( I certainly don't feel like a pup just yet.

When we do decide the time is right for another dog, dh has said he would really love another Labrador.

Sid is so cute. Our lurcher is great with children, although mine are slightly older (8 and 12). Lurchers are really laid back, although if Sid has a terrier in there he may need a bit more exercise than some, but he also might not be that big. Our lurcher is very sweet natured and gentle, unless you're a squirrel or crow, she's also toddler height and likes cleaning their faces. :)

So sorry to hear about your old dog I lost Oldboy back in november, and although I would LOVE a new pup/ rescue (and Sid is adorable- I want him!), timing not right, and Witchypoo is older now and has settled into life as an only dog. I thought I was ok, then we finally took Oldboy's ashes to scatter on his favourite walk, and I was in floods - give yourself time.

Sorry to ramble- originally posted to say think lurchers make terrific family dogs, but then read about your old dog.