Everything You Need To Know About Bull Lurchers

The Bull Lurcher is a distinctive crossbreed that combines the traits of sighthounds with the robustness of Bull breeds. This blend results in a dog that is both strong and agile, capable of impressive speed and endurance.

Bull Lurchers are not a new concept. The practice of crossbreeding sighthounds with Bull breeds has been around for centuries in the UK, primarily for hunting and poaching. The agility and speed of sighthounds combined with the strength and tenacity of Bull breeds made them ideal for hunting game over different terrains.

What is a Bull Lurcher?

A lurcher is a cross-breed dog made up of a greyhound (or other sight hound) and a dog of another type. A bull lurcher specifically refers to a lurcher which has been cross-bred with a bull-type dog, usually a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Are Bull Lurchers legal in the UK?

As most Bull Lurchers are Greyhound x Staffie mixes they are perfectly legal in the UK. However, some rare Bull Lurchers may be mixed with banned breeds, such as the American Pit Bull or XL Bully, meaning the Dangerous Dogs Act could apply to them.

Are Bull Lurchers aggressive?

While each dog is different, generally speaking Bull Lurchers aren’t aggressive towards people or other dogs. Most have an incredible calm temperament and loving personality, wanting nothing more than to snuggle up to you. However, their Sighthound DNA does mean they have high chase drive, so most will run after small animals, especially cats. For this reason, many owners will keep them on a lead and potentially muzzled in public.

Do they make good pets?

Bull Lurchers are known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners. However their size and speed mean it’s best for them not to be homed with especially young children as they can easily knock into them my accident.

When it comes to exercise, most Bull x Lurchers don’t need much. The greyhound in them means many will happily sleep for most of the day. So long as they get the chance to stretch their legs a few times a week, they’ll be more than happy. Be aware of their chase drive though. It’s best to use a secure field for piece of mind, or keep them on a long lead.

Physical Characteristics

The appearance of a Bull Lurcher can vary significantly depending on the specific breeds involved in the cross. Generally, they inherit the lean and muscular build of the Lurcher with the more robust and stocky frame of the Bull breed.

They usually have a short coat, which can come in a variety of colours and patterns. The coats typically shed 1-2 two times a year. Their size can range from medium to large, again depending on the specific breeds in their lineage.

Life Expectancy

Generally speaking, as a mixed-breed, Bull Lurchers can expect to live 12-14 years. This is similar to the typical life span of a greyhound.