Longdog

A long dog (also long-dog or longdog) is any dog of sighthound type, whether pure-bred or not. It is usually a cross-breed between two sighthounds of different breeds,[1] and is thus distinct from the lurcher, which is a cross between a sighthound and a working dog, usually a terrier or herding dog.[2] The term may also be applied to a Greyhound[3]^:379 or other sighthound breed. The long dog excels at running down hares,[1] and is traditionally associated with Romani culture.[4]^:58

Longdog
Greyhound x Deerhound cross-breed
Origin	British Isles
Breed status	Not recognized as a breed by any major kennel club.
Traits Coat any Colour any
Notes	may be registered with the North American Lurcher and Longdog Association
Dog (domestic dog)

A Saluki x Greyhound cross

History

Lurchers were originally kept to catch rabbits when driven from their burrows; In the early 1950s, myxomatosis wiped out most of the rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in western Europe, but did not affect the hares (Lepus europaeus).[1] Faster dogs were needed for coursing, or running down the hares (the hare can run at speeds up to 72 km/h / 45 mph). The long dogs were developed, mixing various types to get a dog with the preferred style of coursing. Coursing with purebred Greyhounds is still considered an "elite" sport.[2]

References

1. Bob Jeffare (2001).Lurchers and Longdogs. K9 Perspective Magazine 1: 11. Archived 26 August 2003.
2. Deborah Blount (February 2000).The Lurcher Submission. Association of Lurcher Clubs. Archived 30 July 2008.
3. Maria Leach (1961). God Had a Dog: Folklore of the Dog. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press.
4. Denis E. Harvey (1979). The Gypsies: Waggon-time and After. London: Batsford. ISBN 9780713415483.

Further reading

• E.G. Walsh (1977). Lurchers and Longdogs. Woodbridge: Boydell.
•  ———  (1990). Longdogs by Day. Woodbridge: Boydell.
• D.B. Plummer (1993). Lurcher and Long Dog Training. London: Robinson Publishing.