Are lurchers happier living with other dogs?

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I have a lovely small bedlington/whippet lurcher, we've had him since he was a puppy, he's two now.
We moved house 5 months ago from London to a village and things are very different here.
He used to see other dogs all the time and I walked him on a big field and he would run and play with other dogs all the time, it was often a bit mad, but he loved getting other dogs to chase him as he is really fast and he would have lots of positive dog encounters.
It's very different where I am now and he hardly ever gets to run with other dogs, most people don't seem to want to let their dogs interact with other dogs and they are usually on a lead. I realise that this is because of things like livestock and I am very careful where I let him off lead.
I have started going to training classes locally but they are focused on the dogs interaction with the owner and not dogs interacting with each other, so although I think he is really enjoying it he still ins't able to play with other dogs.
He has become a very quiet dog and he sleeps all the time, he just doesn't seem to have as much life in his as he used to have I'm not sure if this is just an age thing or if he is unhappy.
My children (teens) think he is bored and that we should get him a friend,
I'm not sure as he is also such a lovely easy dog that I don't want to risk making life more difficult for him (and me of course).
Am I just putting the human emotion of being lonely and not having friends (something I'm finding due to the move) onto him and do you think he is fine or would he be a happier dog if we got another dog as well.

i've had 2 lurchers and a whippet, ime they are very calm dogs at home and do sleep alot at home and are pretty calm when in doors

with the first lurcher we got a second so he had company when we had to go out, which he seemed to appreciate, they certainly got on pretty well. as he got older he appreciated the company a bit less (became a bit of a grumpy old man! but in a lovable way) but by then the second dog was older too so that was ok

Its hard to know whats best for him, I'm home a lot and he is very attached to me, but i feel like he is happiest when we go out and meet some of his old dog friends and he gets to run and play.

Im just not sure about having two dogs as it would complicate life a bit, but i like the idea of him snuggling up with another lurcher.

I think they are happier with a friend - they are pack animals after all. If you can run to it financially then a companion would probably make him happier.

It probably is just age and him calming down a bit. They do naturally sleep a lot. However, they do get on well in pairs and packs. What difficulties are you anticipating if you get another?

My worries about getting two is who would look after them if we went away, as I've recently moved so I don't really have people around me that I could rely on.

My sister has him when we go away as he's so easy and quiet she doesn't mind she live 3 hrs from me so she's not on my doorstep.

I also worry that with two you loose a bit of control as when he's with other dogs he's always a bit mad and I'm worried that he will behave that all the time darting around the house.

Mind you I do think he would like a freind and I think playing with me and my children doesn't excite him very much.

It's a bit like deciding to have a second child, sometimes they do drive me and each other mad, but I've never regretted having two children

I think they'd settle down together, especially if you got a slightly older girl - I don't think they'd be constantly running around mad or anything.

Maybe your sister could be persuaded to take both if you got him a nice little whippy girlfriend?

Do you think it's best to get a girl then rather than a boy?

I'd love a smooth coated whippet as my boy is shaggy scruffy and grey.

I have looked on a few rescue sites already, not seen any whippets though.

He sounds adorable. Have you looked at Scruples whippet rescue? Also Lurcher Link. Don't think it's essential but boy/girl partnerships often work well I think. Obviously only if they've been done, which they will be from a rescue.

You've got lots of options. Have you considered fostering for example? That way you could try out having a second dog around, the bills are paid by the rescue and it's not permanent - you are also helping a dog into a forever home which is a lovely feeling.

Also, there are fantastic organised activities for sighthounds. I was at a lovely fun day on Saturday in Devon organised by a greyhound (wiht a little help from her owner) and there were lots of nice lurcher peeps there. Chatting to them, most of them had better social lives than their owners! Off to Terrier and Lurcher Shows, lure coursing, sighthound picnics - the list goes on.... Many of these are very inexpensive, can be combined with DC, and make a nice day out. Just do a bit of googling and there are also masses of groups on FB for sighthound activities all around the country.

Can also recommend Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue - they specialise in lurchers and will rehome nationally.

Thank you all, so lovely to hear about lurcher/sighthound think that go on, I will have to look and see if there is anything around me. I live in Bedfordshire if anyone knows anything.

Fostering is a good idea although I'm sure I would find it hard to let go and would want to keep any dog that came to stay, but I will consider it as I'm sure it's very rewarding.