Lurchers are beautiful, loyal and gentle dogs, but sadly they are the breed most likely to be found in Irish dog shelters and pounds looking for homes.
Irish people tend to favour small, white dogs, which is why the poor old lurchers get overlooked while waiting for their forever homes. It’s such a pity because lurchers make amazing pets.
Take Barney, who is in the care of the Cork Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA) at present. Nobody has even come to view Barney who is very gentle and friendly and small for a lurcher. He would love to be curled up on someone’s sofa and would give you all the love in the world, because contrary to popular belief, lurchers are just big ol’ couch potatoes.
At just a year old, Barney had already had a bad start in life. He was found straying by the dog warden with an injury to his eye and his ribs showing, and was terrified when he arrived at CSPCA.
Thanks to the love and care he found there, he is well on the mend and all he wants from staff is cuddles. Despite what he has been through in his short life, the adorable Barney really loves people.
He is good with other dogs and very polite and well-mannered on the lead, and he would be perfect for a family or adult-only home.
Lurchers are affectionate, intelligent and gentle crossbreeds, and they need a short burst of high-speed exercise outdoors each day. Other than that, they’re happy to curl up next to you on the sofa. They have a very high prey drive, so they need a secure, enclosed garden, and they love people and benefit from consistent, gentle training.
Barney has such a goofy, expressive face, and he will light up his family’s day daily with his quirky antics. All he needs now is for someone to give him a chance, so reach out to the CSPCA if you are ready to get your new year off to the perfect start by offering this lovely boy a home.
Before you apply, remember that owning a dog is a financial responsibility. The costs include adoption fees (€250 with the CSPCA) to cover essential basic vet care vaccinations, microchipping, and neutering (which normally would cost €250- €400 or more depending on the dog).
Contact adoption@cspca.ie if you’re interested in adopting beautiful Barney. Adoption would be subject to a home check by Cork City Dog Warden Services.
