Harrier Dog Breed Information

Posted on Mar 21, 2019, Modified : Aug 29, 2019 DGM

Breeds

Country of Origin	United Kingdom
Nicknames and Other Names	Harrier Dog, Harehound
Scientific Name	Canis lupus familiaris
Breed Type	Purebred
Group	Hound Group, Scenthound
Bred For	Hunting hares and foxes in pack
Size	Medium-sized
Recognized By	AKC, UKC, FCI, ANKC, NZKC, CKC
Life Span	12-15 years
Ideal Weight	45-60 pounds (male and female)
Ideal Height	19-21 inches (male and female)
Fur Type	Dense, short, glossy
Common Colors	Red and White, Lemon and White, Black White and Tan
Markings	None
Availability	Moderately available
Achievements	None
Suitable for Apartments	Mildly suitable
Used in World War	No
Most Similar To	American Foxhound

The Harrier is a breed of medium-sized dogs that were bred for the purpose of hunting hares by trailing them. They belong to the hound class and are often mistaken as oversized Beagle or smaller English Foxhound.

The sweet and affectionate Harrier dogs can be an excellent companion for runner, rider or other athletes.

Origin & History

There are various conflicting stories related to the origin of the Harrier breed till now. They were first bred in medieval England for the motive of hunting hares in which they are proved to be very excellent.

The Harrier Breed is believed to be the result of breeding smaller and smaller English Foxhounds. The first pack of the Harriers was established by Sir Elias de Midhope in 1260.

The Harrier breed was imported to America in the 18th century during Colonial times. It is also said that George Washington used this breed to create the American Hounds. The AKC recognized Harriers in 1885.

Are they Child-friendly?

Yes, the Harriers are child-friendly dogs as they are very friendly and outgoing dogs. They form a close bonding with kids and will be protective of them if grown up together. Harriers are less likely to be aggressive but are stubborn sometimes. Kids are safe around the Harriers.

A Harrier Dog with a kid. Image Source: Instagram@ringodingdongdog

Behavior, Temperament & Personality

The Harrier is a cool-tempered dog that behaves very well with children and is friendly as well as tolerant. They have a habit of barking at times which may be very annoying for some owners.

Harriers are playful and energetic dogs that love to be around people and other dogs. They have the characteristic of hunting which pushes them to chase after cats and other animals.

The Harrier has a friendly, outgoing and independent personality. They are never aggressive towards other dogs. They are very keen to please their owners and spend time with them.

Trainability

Harriers act quite stubborn at times and can be very difficult to train. Though they are smart and quick learners, it is not so relatively easy task to train them.

A Harrier dog being trained.

Assertive leadership should be maintained and lots of treats should be given. Short and firm training sessions are something that they admire. Harsh tones while training them should be avoided.

Facts about the Harrier breed

Here are some facts about the Harrier breed:

Harriers are not recognized in England despite being originated from there.
They are often confused with English Foxhounds and Beagle.
They are one of the rarest breeds of dogs registered by the AKC.
They are very child-friendly.
They are sweet and friendly to other dogs.

Size

The Harrier is 53 – 61 cm tall weighing 20 – 30 kg for an adult dog.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvDiD5Xl_eZ/

A Harrier with a man.

Heath Issues in the Harrier breed

General Health	Healthy
Common Health Issues	Obesity, Bloat, Eye Problems, Ear Infections
Hypoallergenic	No
Vaccination Required	Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Leptospirosis, Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough, Rabies, Canine Coronavirus
Shedding	Moderate Shedder
Drooling	Low Drooler
Grooming	Easy and Minimal Grooming Required
Weight Gain Potential	Average
Separation Anxiety	High Chance
Allergies	None
Diets and Supplements	Protein: 23% Fat: 10% Glucosamine Digestive Enzymes Fish Oil