About EGLR

The Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue has been running for over 30 years it was set up in 1989 by Pip Singleton who started bringing Greyhounds and Lurchers into her home in an attempt to stop them being destroyed. The rescue still operates as a foster based rescue with foster homes up and down the country.

Although over the years the rescue has grown in size its is still run by a handful of volunteers and foster homes that look after and raise funds for the many dogs being cared for at any one time. The majority of our dogs arrive with little or no background. All of them need love and attention. However, far too many need to be nursed back to health or be rehabilitated to help them overcome physical or mental scars.

Some of them never fully recover and those dogs are given homes for life with some of our volunteers as EGLR Sponsor Dogs. As a rescue we adhere strictly to a non-destruction policy. The dogs in our range from new born pups, pregnant bitches to elderly dogs.

Evesham Greyhounds and Lurchers live all over the country, there may be one near you. So no matter where you live if you can offer a loving home to a Greyhound or Lurcher please read on…

All dogs brought into the rescue are carefully assessed and if need be, rehabilitated. to prepare them to be rehomed.The dogs are neutered where possible and given full veterinary treatment.As both Lurchers and Greyhounds are predominately working dogs they are often victims of cruelty, neglect and abandonment. EGLR frequently has a list of dogs waiting to come into foster care with priority being given to any dog whose life is threatened. Many of the dogs are not used to living indoors as they have spent their whole lives in sheds, kennels or outside. We believe it is essential to introduce them to home life before they can be adopted as pets. By taking the time to learn each dog’s characteristics, temperament, solve existing problems and begin basic training, there is a good chance the dog will stay with its new family. Also by making sure each dog is housetrained, fit and healthy it greatly reduces the number of dogs returned and means that the new family have as much information about their new pets as needed.

About Greyhounds About Lurchers Ideal Pets Agility

Up until the 1800’s Greyhounds were the dogs of noblemen, indeed in history commoners were not permitted to own a Greyhound and it was once a capital offence to kill one.

The Greyhound has sadly fallen from its aristocratic connections and with the introduction of oval racing in the 1920’s, became debased and at the mercy of a betting industry which sees the dog only in terms of financial gain.

At 4 years old, or less, they become too slow to continue racing but a Greyhound can live up to 16 years old. There are many excellent owners and trainers who keep their retired dogs, but there are probably more Greyhounds than any other single pure breed in pounds and kennels throughout the country.

About 30,000 Greyhounds per year are bred for racing alone in the UK and Ireland, just for the chance of a few winners; a Greyhound is seen as a possession which pays for its keep by winning races. Of these 30,000 dogs approximately 10,000 are destroyed as puppies because they fail their first racing trials, approximately 12,000 are injured, even a minor injury can have serious consequences for the dog who cannot win, many are destroyed or abandoned. Even a successful dog, once it reaches the end of its career, is rarely rewarded for its success and loyalty with a home and many meet the same fate as their unsuccessful siblings.

Owners who race their dogs at registered tracks can often have their dogs rehomed by the Retired Greyhound Trust. However, there are more unregistered tracks which have no regulations and are not covered by the Trust. Many owners do care and will keep their dogs as pets themselves or try to rehome them, but in an industry driven by money and gambling the dogs will always be a disposable asset. There are one or two differences to be remembered. Greyhounds are sight hounds and their schooling for the track teaches them to chase small furry animals. You must keep a greyhound on the lead when outside until you are absolutely certain that, firstly your dog will come back to you and secondly will not chase other peoples small pets. This is not as difficult as it sounds. Greyhounds are a dream on the lead, are well mannered, rarely pull and the majority learn, with the correct training, to come back when called.

The following information will help you if you want to know more about Lurchers and Greyhounds. It may help you in reaching a decision which is so important, not only to you, but for the dog out there who may have a chance of life and happiness through you reaching that decision.

Lurchers have a reputation for being large, the typical poacher’s dog, but in truth they can be all shapes and sizes. Not a breed but type of dog, the Lurcher usually has a member of the Greyhound family as one of its parents. They are rarely seen outside of Great Britain and Ireland, from where they originate.

A Lurcher is the result of a Sighthound crossed with any other breed of dog, and in some cases there may be multiple crossing involved. A Longdog is a cross between two or more Sighthounds such as a Greyhound and a Borzoi.

The Lurcher is thought to have been developed at the time that only those of noble blood were permitted to own a Greyhound or any other sight-dogs such as the Saluki, Whippet, Borzoi, Afghan Hound, Irish Wolfhound, Deerhound etc. So these crosses were made to produce an efficient hunting companion for commoners and a popular poachers’s dog.

Greyhounds and Lurchers make ideal pets, as a breed they are usually gentle, submissive and non-aggressive. Believe it or not they are lazy! They require very little from you apart from your company, a soft bed, warmth and adequate food.

Sleep
Some greyhounds and Lurchers sleep a lot, they can be the laziest dogs you can have and are quite often known as a 45 mile an hour couch potato but this can vary from dog to dog and some greyhounds and lurcher can require additional exercise to keep them happy and stop them getting up to mischief.

Feeding
This can vary depending on the type and size of Lurcher you have.
The majority of average, medium-sized Lurchers need only the same amount of food as a pedigree Labrador or Collie.

Grooming
Smooth coats need little grooming, once a week or twice a month. Rough coats need to be groomed at least once a week.

Cats
Most dogs will chase cats, it’s just that a Greyhound/lurcher is a bit faster than most! Many Greyhounds and Lurchers live happily side by side with cats. Any dog rehomed by EGLR is tested for cat compatibility by Pip’s stunt cats and those also found in other foster homes.

Livestock
Where possible all dogs are checked and assessed with livestock. Please be aware that your dog should not be off a lead around sheep and livestock. We have had several calls from dog owners devastated by the consequences of letting their dogs off the lead around livestock so please do be careful – you will be held responsible for any damage where sheep worrying occurs.

Temperament
Gentle temperaments and a healthy disposition being of natural breeding. Biddable and easy to handle.

Children
We have some wonderful guinea pig children. Where possible all dogs are checked and assessed for their suitability with children.

Exercise

Exercise needs can vary greatly from Lurcher to Lurcher depending on their age and breeding, some may only require two 30 minutes walks a day where as others may require a lot more. Many lurchers are now enjoying agility a good way to use both the brain and burn of additional energy.

Agility is something that makes good use of the Lurcher’s love of speed. It is a lot of fun, good exercise, and helps develop a strong bond between dog and owner.

Most Lurchers, other breeds and crossbreeds are known within agility circles as “ABC” dogs (Anything But a Collie), and it is exciting to see them hold their own, and sometimes even win, in such a Collie-dominated sport.

Lurchers are usually very accurate jumpers, having lots of muscle power, and can be so fast that it’s difficult to take a photograph of them clearing an obstacle! A Lurcher can give you as good a run for your money on an agility course as a sheepdog, and when the job is done, is happy to go home and fall sound asleep!

The perfect agility dog, really…