Longdog
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2008-06-04T11:41:18Z
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A '''longdog''' is a [[Dog type|type]] of lurcher, a [[crossbreed]] between two sighthounds. "A longdog is a dog or a crossbreed arrived at by blending two different breeds of sight hound."<ref>[http://www.k9magazinefree.com/k9_perspective/iss1p11.shtml Lurchers and Longdogs] by Bob Jeffare, K9 Perspective Magazine, Issue 1, pg 11 2001</ref>. A lurcher is a mixed breed dog: ""The lurcher is an intentional cross between a long dog and a herding dog, or the offspring of parents so bred".<ref>[http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/hunting/inquiry/evidence/lurcherclubs1.htm#p7 The Lurcher Submission for the Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs in England and Wales] by Deborah Blount, M.B.A., February 2000</ref> Lurchers were originally kept to catch rabbits when driven from their burrows; In the early 1950s, [[Myxomatosis|myxomatosis]] wiped out most of the rabbits (''Oryctolagus cuniculus'') but did not affect the hares (''Lepus europaeus'').<ref>[http://www.k9magazinefree.com/k9_perspective/iss1p11.shtml Lurchers and Longdogs]</ref> 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 longdog lurchers were developed, mixing various types to get a dog with the preferred style of coursing. Coursing with purebred [[Greyhound|Greyhounds]] is still considered an "elite" sport.<ref>[http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/hunting/inquiry/evidence/lurcherclubs1.htm The Lurcher Submission, 3.32]</ref>
The Longdog differs from the [[Lurcher]] in that there is no cross to a working or terrier breed. The Longdog is an attempt to create a better coursing dog, and is not expected to have the working qualities of a good [[Lurcher]], although a few come close.
== Longdog crosses ==
{{Primarysources|date=January 2007}}
Common longdog crosses are [[Saluki]] crossed with [[Greyhound]], [[Deerhound]] crossed with [[Greyhound]], and [[Whippet]] crossed with [[Greyhound]].
These dogs are generally bred for some of the same purposes as the [[Lurcher]], but usually have more speed as opposed to the generally greater endurance and trainability of the [[Lurcher]].
* The [[Saluki]] x [[Greyhound]] is especially prized as a hare coursing dog in the UK, and more recently in the US on jackrabbits (typically [[Black-tailed Jackrabbit]] and [[White-tailed Jackrabbit]]). The best have near the endurance and heat resistance of the [[Saluki]], and near the acceleration and drive of the [[Greyhound]].
* The [[Deerhound]] x [[Greyhound]] is considered a top fox and deer sighthound in the UK with good endurance and weather resistance. In the US, it appears to have been the foundation of the American Staghound ([[coyote]] sighthound).
* The [[Whippet]] x [[Greyhound]] is prized for its compactness, acceleration, agility, tenacity, heat resistance, and fast recovery. Depending on the individual dog, it can be successfully used on all UK game but excels at [[spotlighting|lamping]] rabbits, and is generally a decent hare courser.
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==Popular Culture==
"Longdog" is a song by folk duo [[Show of Hands]] - the gist of the song being that if you own a longdog you are probably a poacher. Show of Hands' fan club members refer to themselves as Longdogs.
==Further reading==
* Walsh, E.G. "Lurchers and Longdogs" Woodbridge:Boydell 1977
* Walsh, E.G. "Longdogs by day" Woodbridge:Boydell 1990
== References ==
{{refs}}
== External Links ==
[http://www.sussexlongdogs.org.uk/membersdogs.htm Photos of longdogs coursing with the The Sussex Longdog Association]
[[Category:Dog types]]
[[Category:Sight hounds]]
{{hounds}}
{{dog-stub}}
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