Harrier

also known as Harehound

Pros History


The Harrier is a breed of dog that has a rich history dating back to medieval England. The breed is a descendant of the ancient Talbot Hound, and was developed by English huntsmen who used them for hunting hares. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885 and the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1906.

The breed's name "Harrier" comes from the Old English word "herarian" meaning "to harry" or "to harass." This refers to the breed's ability to hunt and track hares. The Harrier was used primarily for hunting hares, foxes, and other small game, and its keen sense of smell made it an excellent hunting companion.

The Harrier was developed by the landed gentry of medieval England. This breed was a cross between the Talbot Hound and other hounds like the Foxhound and the Beagle. The Talbot Hound was a favorite of the Normans, and it was brought to England after the conquest. The Harrier was bred by the landed gentry to hunt hares on their estates.

Breed Information


Type

Is Harrier a purebred?

Purebred

Pronunciation

How do you pronounce the Harrier name? How do you say Harriers?

har-ee-er

Purpose

What were Harriers originally used for?

trailing game

Lifespan

How Long Do Harriers Live? What is average life expectancy for a Harrier? How long can Harriers live?

10-12 years

The average Harrier lifespan is somewhere between 10-12 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Harrier Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Harrier?

What is the average height of a Harrier? How big is a Purebred Harrier height? Harrier dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 20-24 inches (50.8 - 61 cm) 18.0 inches (45.7 cm) 19.0 inches (48.3 cm) 22.0 inches (55.9 cm)
Female 20-24 inches (50.8 - 61 cm) 18.0 inches (45.7 cm) 19.0 inches (48.3 cm) 22.0 inches (55.9 cm)
What is the average weight of a Harrier? How much should Harriers weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 45-60 pounds (20 - 27 kg) 32.5 pounds (15 kg) 42.5 pounds (19 kg) 52.5 pounds (24 kg)
Female 45-60 pounds (20 - 27 kg) 32.5 pounds (15 kg) 42.5 pounds (19 kg) 52.5 pounds (24 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Harriers get fat easily?

The Harrier is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Harriers Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Harrier is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Harrier personality? What are Harrier dogs best known for?

Active
Friendly
Sweet
Tempered
Cheerful
Outgoing
Tolerant

Shedding Level

Are Harriers heavy shedders? How Much Does a Harrier Shed?

Harrier dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Harrier. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Harrier dog?

Harriers are not the best watchdogs. If you want a guard dog, the Harrier is not the breed for you. They will 'watch' everything - but that's usually as far as they go.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Harriers come from?

United Kingdom

Ancestry

What are Harriers descended from?

scenthound

Date of Birth

When were Harriers first bred? How old is the Harrier breed?

1066 AD

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Harrier?

Hound (AKC:1885)
Scenthound (UKC)

Harrier Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Harrier eyes?

Hazel
Brown
Amber

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Harrier nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Harrier coat be naturally?

Black
Gray
Brown
Red
Cream
Fawn
White
Pied
Sable
Brindle

Coat Length

How long is a Harriers coat?

Harriers are known for their short coat.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Harrier Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Harrier?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Harrier have in a litter? How many puppies can a Harrier have in her first litter?

10-12 puppies per pregnancy

A Harrier can have a litter of 10-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Harrier dogs generally adapt well to changes in lifestyle and different living environments, but it is considered as an average level of adaptability compared to other breeds.

Harrier Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Harriers have a lot of health problems?

The Harrier is a breed of dog that is known to have a higher incidence of health problems compared to some other breeds. These health issues may be frequent and can range from minor to serious. It is therefore essential that owners of DOG_NAMEs schedule regular check-ups with a veterinarian to ensure that any potential health issues are identified and treated as early as possible.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Harrier?

Hip Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Harriers?

Eye Disease

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Harrier breed?

Eye
Hip
X-Rays
Eye Examination

Harrier Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Harriers have a lot of energy?

Harriers are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Harriers need socialization? How social are Harriers?

Harrier have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Harriers get?

The Harrier needs a high level of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They also make great companions for people who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy running, hiking or other outdoor activities. These breeds are not suitable for people with sedentary lifestyle or those who live in small apartments

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Harrier have? Do Harriers sleep a lot?

Harriers are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Harrier drool a lot?

The Harrier is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Harrier dogs tends to bark less frequently than most other dogs. They tend to be quieter and less vocal than other breeds. They may only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner of something or to communicate something. They do not bark excessively, and may not bark as much as other dogs in certain situations, such as when they are left alone.

Territorial

Do Harriers exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

Harrier dogs are not known for their protective nature and may not be the best choice as guard dogs. They do not have a strong drive to defend their territory and may not be inclined to provide protection.

Mouthiness

Are Harriers mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Harrier running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Harrier dogs have a high prey drive?

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Harrier? How much energy does a Harrier have?

High

Harriers are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Harrier walk each week? How many miles should a Harrier walk every week?

12 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Harrier, it's at least 12 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Harrier should exercise a day? How much activity does a Harrier need?

90 minutes

In general most Harriers usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Harrier?

The Harrier is a breed of dog that does not require extensive grooming.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Harrier?

Weekly

Harrier should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Harriers?

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Harrier eat?

2.5 cups

For an average 45-60 pound (20 - 27 kg) Harrier feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Harrier Cost Daily?

$2.50 - $3.20 / day

The average cost of a Harrier is somewhere $2.50 - $3.20 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Harrier Cost Per Month?

$84 - $95 / month

The average per month expenses of a Harrier is between $84 - $95. This makes an average of $1008 - $1140 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Harrier Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Harrier?

The Harrier have below the average degree of obedience intelligence among other breeds. However, calling them “dumb dogs” is unfair. Where Harriers lack in obedience & working intelligence, they make up for it with their keen ability to understand human emotions.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Harrier dog?

Harrier dogs are a less sensitive breed known for their adaptability and resilience. They tend to be less affected by new environments, people and noises. They can make great companions for families or individuals looking for a balanced and less sensitive pet that are not as demanding as highly sensitive breeds.

Affection Dependance

Are Harrier dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Harrier do well in apartments? Are Harriers good indoor dogs?

The Harrier is not an apartment-friendly dog breed. This dog breed is best in a home with a large, fenced-in yard. They are not suited for apartment life and can become destructive due to pent up energy from being in a small space.

Child Friendly

Are Harriers good with kids? Are Harriers good around children?

A Harriers typical characteristics indicate that this breed of dog is an ideal companion for kids and makes them family pets. Their gentle and protective nature and calm mentality make them gel along quickly with the younger humans

Senior-friendly

Are Harriers good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Harriers good with cats? How friendly Harriers are toward cats?

Harriers are below average friendly toward cats. But with the right training and socialization, Harriers can be good with cats,

Dog Friendly

Do Harrier dogs get along with other dogs? Are Harriers OK with other dogs?

Harriers are very friendly towards other dogs. This breed typically have a happy and affectionate temperament around dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Harrier dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Harriers friendly with strangers?

Harriers are friendly dogs and won't commonly bark at strangers. However, if you wish to change this, training them is easy. With their intelligence, teaching this breed to do anything is pretty simple.

Playfulness

Do Harriers like to play? Are Harriers playful?

Harriers have an average level of playfulness. The Harriers, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Harrier easily trained?

Harrier dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Good with children
    Harrier gets along well with children and make great family pets.
  • Office Friendly
    Harriers are known to thrive in office settings.
  • Affectionate
    They are known to be affectionate and loyal to their owners.
  • Quiet
    The Harrier dog may be a good choice for those looking for a peaceful pet as they are known for being relatively silent.
  • Good with other pets
    Harrier typically gets along well with other pets.

Cons

  • High energy level
    Harrier have a high energy level and require a lot of exercise.
  • Not Apartment Friendly
    Harrier are not suitable for apartment living.
  • Not cat-friendly
    Harriers do not possess the temperament to coexist peacefully with cats.
  • Not Hypoallergenic
    People prone to allergies may have a reaction to Harriers, as they are not considered a hypoallergenic breed.
  • Medical conditions
    Similar to other breeds, Harriers may have a tendency towards certain health issues, such as Hip Dysplasia and Eye Disease.