i dont keep lurchers now mate but my dogs would play with the kids [like yours do] chase the ferrets about [playing] etcetc etc would not touch owt i told them to leave alone but done the job i asked of them -as for cowering? mine didnt cower mate they liked there owner i schooled my dogs the right way they just werent softies !
the way you describe a soft dog is the way i would describe a neglected beaten dog,scared of its own shadow cowers when shouted at,a soft dog to me is a well mannerd dog out of the field,good with kids other dogs ect ect,and who clicks when in the field,i suppose