Harrier
- Height at the withers
- 48 to 55 cm
- Weight
- 20 to 27 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 15 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- England
- FCI group
- 6 · Scent hounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- noise-sensitive neighbors: it likes to bark
Overview
An athletic, medium-sized scent hound bred to hunt hare in packs, resembling a smaller English Foxhound, with a sturdy build, a short, dense coat and excellent stamina.
History and origins
An English scent hound used to hunt hare in packs, documented since at least the 13th century. Older than the English Foxhound, it is thought to descend from old scent hounds such as the Talbot and from French hounds; Foxhound input later helped to establish it.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Ear infections
- Hypothyroidism
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Impossible, 1 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Very vocal, 5 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Harrier FAQ
How big does the Harrier get?
The Harrier stands 48 to 55 cm at the withers and weighs 20 to 27 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Harrier shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Harrier live in an apartment?
It is not recommended: it needs space, ideally a house with a yard. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Harrier need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Harrier good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Harrier live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hip dysplasia and epilepsy.
