WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL NL&RC WEB SITE

The NL&RC was started in 1980 and is the largest Lurcher Club in the world today, having members both here and abroad. We have amongst our members some of the best Lurchers in the country, some of who give demonstrations at events all over England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

What is a Lurcher?

The dictionary definition of a lurcher describes it as a crossbred dog usually a retriever, collie or sheepdog crossed with a greyhound and used by hunters and by poachers.Not the most flattering description, but then not many dictionaries are written by lurcher people.

So from our perspective what is a Lurcher?

A Lurcher is a purpose bred hunting dog, a sight hound crossed with another breed. In the past Lurchers were used for pest control of rabbits and foxes. Some of the larger lurchers were also used for coursing hares, although sadly now the only legal quarry for Lurchers are rabbits and rats.

The cross that a lurcher man or woman chooses will depend on several not least of which is the part of the country in which they may live. Someone living in an area comprising of small fields, and/or who wants to catch rabbits, may favour the smaller Bedlington/Whippet cross, whereas someone living in flat open lands may choose a Collie/Greyhound cross, and someone living on moorland or fells may prefer a larger more rangy type of dog such as a Deerhound cross.

Which ever type of Lurcher you prefer you should get a biddable all round hunting dog that will work either by day alongside ferrets or at night on the lamp.

So what can I come and see?

All of our demonstrations and competitions are arranged around working practice.

The blind stay for example is an important discipline for anyone who may be out working with ferrets as sometimes holes may be both side a wall or hedge. You must be confident that you can leave your dog to work on the blind side without constantly checking on its whereabouts, and it is needless to say a dog that will not retrieve will leave the handler with a lot of legwork to do when out lamping.

How do I take part?

The NL&RC is open to anyone with an interest in Lurchers, if you would like to join please down load an application form and send it in, alternatively, if we are at a show or event please feel free to come along to the Lurcher area and have a go with some of the things we are doing with your own dog or just come along to watch ours.