THE POACHERS DOG. 



THE LURCHER. 



THE Taller speaking of men who lurk, or lie in wait for their prey, makes the 

 following- comparison" I cannot represent these worthies more naturally, than 

 under the shadow of a pack of Dogs, made up of finders, lurchers and setters." 

 Such is a leading trait in the character of the LURCHER, doubtless the Teazer 

 of ancient times, employed to drive the Deer which were to be coursed by 

 Greyhounds. 



The Lurcher is mostly of a yellow and white colour, but there are some 

 dark and brinded, and of a wolfish appearance. They were originally a cross 

 between the Greyhound and Sheep-dog, perhaps repeated with respect to the 

 former, and have the shaggy coat of the latter ; and in former times, being of 

 higher repute than of late, they were preserved in a state of purity, and bred from 

 as an established Variety. At length, the breed becoming unfashionable, and 

 getting into the hands of inferior Sportsmen and Poachers, was neglected in res- 

 pect of its original purity, and changed by a variety of crosses. However, to con- 

 stitute a lurcher, the greyhound face and form must predominate. Many of this 

 breed will hunt by the scent, as well as sight, perhaps in consequence of some hound 

 or spaniel cross, and have activity enough to run and snap up rabbits that are at 

 any tolerable distance from their earths. The best of them have speed enough for 

 coursing the Hare, and although we are not aware that such a plan was ever 

 thought of, there is no doubt of their making good harriers, and hunting her also, 

 as far as killing with certainty, though they might prove a silent pack. The 

 Lurcher is endowed by nature with great sagacity and subtlety, and is easily 

 trained to any of those manceuvres necessary to the purposes for which he is em- 

 ployed. For example, being in the hands of poachers, during their nocturnal ex- 

 peditions, in quest of a provision of hares for the market, the nets being fixed at 

 the gates, and the wires at the menses, the lurcher is dispatched by a word to scour 

 the field, paddock or plantation ; when, running mute, he effects his business in. a 

 manner quite consonant with the views and interests of his employers. He is also 

 equal to higher pursuits by night, and was formerly used by the Deer-stealers, to 

 course the fallow deer, which having taken and pulled down, he returned to his 

 master and conducted him to the fallen game. This kind of dog was formerly 

 said to be susceptible of the tricks and subtleties of the Tumbler, and is usually 

 taught to fetch and carry. He inherits his full share of the patience and fidelity 

 of the Shepherd's Dog, fulfilling sufficiently the duties of this last, whenever 

 applied to them ; notwithstanding which, untrained and neglected, no dog is a more 



