disappointed - Rated 
I bought this to help me give my lurcher the best care after reading the previous reviews by other readers. Though it has good advice, especially the sections on feeding and recall, I found it quite an irritating read. For future buyers I thought I should put a few quotations from the book so you know what you are getting into:
On drinking water: "you can filter tap water, or, the method I use, you can put a crystal in the dog bowl"
On your garden lawn: "if grass is so important, they shouldn't get a dog"
On leaving the adult dog: "you will get up early to walk her, I dont mean 20 minutes on a lead but the best part of an hour of free running. Leave her breakfast with her, then off you go to work"
On your dog licking you: " it is true that such a greeting is unhygenic, but no more so than a human kiss, and just think of the dreadful things you can catch off children - your pup will never give you threadworm or headlice".
There is more, but hopefully you can see that you have to grit your teeth a bit, underneath the advice is good. All dog trainers I have met or read books from are so condescending to novice dog owners! But we wouldn't be buying books and going to training if we thought we already knew what to do, no need to constantly point it out! This one really seems to hate kids, I am finding a lot of this and also a lot of parents and teachers who hate dogs. I have both and try to do my best with both. This book does help ...... but not as much as I thought it would.
Uncanny - Rated 
I think that the author has stolen my Lurcher, studied him for some considerable time and brought him home, without my knowledge! She has my Lurcher down to a 'T'. The food thief, the escape artist, a lover of home comforts and a very intelligent chappie indeed. We often refer to this book, by way of, "Jackie said he would do that". This book gave us the insight we needed before we brought our 'boy' into our home and has, i am sure, made us all able to fit in together because of our understanding. Eg. He steals food, he does not get told off and sent to his basket, we berate each other for leaving it out in the first place. If you are considering bringing a lurcher into your home (please do, they are wonderful pets - get him from a rescue centre) then buy this book also, you wont be disappointed.
A Changed Dog! - Rated
This book is fantastic! The House Lurcher should be made compulsory reading for all those, like me, who have a rescue lurcher. The most revelatory chapter for me was about diet, and after following the advice about changing from processed dog food to raw meat and vegetables my dog has changed from a dead ringer for the Tasmanian Devil to a much calmer, more obedient and settled dog. The book explains the unique physiology of the lurcher and how best to communicate and train these unique animals. The opening chapters explain the evolution of the lurcher and discuss the various types of crosses and their temperaments. Above all it helps owners of 'pet' lurchers to understand how to live happily in a suburban environment with an atheletic, sensitive, keen and highly intelligent animal.
A must for new Lurcher owners - Rated
This is an excellent book, and an absolute must for all those who are considering a Lurcher. With dog shelters full of Lurchers seeking homes I would recommend any Manager suggests potential owners read it first, for the sake of the Lurcher! I've been a dog owner for many years, taking on puppies from a completely different type of dog. This time round I fell in love with two Lurchers seeking a new home. Lurchers ARE special dogs, they are not like any other type. Jackie 'knows' Lurchers and writes about them with warmth and affection, and much humour. You have to have a good sense of humour to own a Lurcher! As I well know! The book is full of good common sense information, and written with the dog in mind rather than the owner, which is often lacking in most dog books. This book is not just about understanding Lurchers, it is a good read for any potential dog owner of any breed, (and to be honest some parents!) Perhaps if more people read this book and understood the soul of dogs, we wouldn't have our dog shelters overflowing.
I wish I'd had this book - Rated 
When I got my lurcher 2 years ago I looked everywhere for decent advice and found only short paragraphs in general dog books. Considering the number of lurchers which end up in pet homes they are sadly under-represented in dog literature. This book should be supplied with every rescue lurcher and recommended by lurcher breeders who are letting a dog go to a pet home. Lurchers are NOT like other dogs and if you try to treat them as such your efforts will often end in tears. For the price of a couple of dog leads, do your dog a favour and purchase the book.
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