Harriers are well-disposed , high - vitality dogs that love spending clock time with their man and canine family member . Learn more about know with these alive hounds .
Often false for their cousinthe beagle , harriers are plucky , social hound dogs who enjoy being around citizenry . Though they makegreat hike companionsand they ’re superaffectionate with their family member , these intermediate - sized dark-brown , white , and black dogsare rare . Originally make grow by British hunters , harriers are intelligent superintendent - sniffers who can run , walk , and play all twenty-four hours long .
" This stock is affectionate , athletic , and intelligent , " says Corinne Wigfall , DVM , BVS , BVM , and consulting veterinarian withSpiritDog Training . " They make great companions in families and expectant sportpartners for the active proprietor . "
Djordje / Adobe Stock
Appearance
What is a harrier , precisely ? The running jocularity among hound aficionado is that this breed is like a beagle who started hitting the weight - lifting equipment at the gymnasium .
" They are sometimes referred to as a beagle on steroids , " says Linda Simon , MVB , MRCVS , consult veterinary surgeon atFiveBarks .
harrier are bombastic and more sinewy than beagles , standing 19–21 inches magniloquent and weighing 45–60 pound ( beagle , for a helpful comparing , are just 13–15 inches tall and weigh 20–30 pound ) . Harriers are also related to the largerEnglish foxhound .
Viktor Prymachenko / Shutterstock
Harriers have a distinctive , heel - corresponding appearance . They ’re typically black and tan ; black-market , white-hot , and tan ; lemon and white ; crimson and white ; or white with no grading .
They ’re hardy and knock-down , and they have ashort and glossy coatthat ’s very inviting to pet . Their velvety ears fall through down along the sides of their faces and have fill out tips . The breed abide tall and majestic with their intermediate - length bum held high up behind them .
Temperament
Like their beagle full cousin , harriers are favorable , playful , and always on the move . They ’re verygood with childrenand they absolutely adore their kinsperson members , of both the human and the canid sort .
Though they can handle being alone for period of time , these social pup really thrive when they ’re around people all day . As such , they may not be the good pick for people with lengthened workdays , long commute , or electronic jamming - packed social calendar that make them too busy to spend fourth dimension with their wienerwurst . Getting another pup to keep a harrier company can also help .
" They make majuscule companions as pets , so someone who can pass a lot of clock time with them is authoritative , " Wigfall says . " Being a pack dog , they also flourish in a home with another dog as a companion . "
alterjazz / Adobe Stock
Since they werebred to accompany British huntersin their pursuit of foxes and hares , theseintelligent dogshave ahigh prey driveand super - charged nose — and these traits can sometimes get them into trouble . Their inherent aptitude to follow a scent wherever it takes them is unbelievably strong , so harriers needsecurely fenced yardsand should always bewalked on a trinity . Some harrierslove to jab , too , so it ’s also a well idea to keep an oculus on them when they ’re outside .
These in high spirits - muscularity dog will gladlyfollow you around the housewhile you do chore or draw in up next to you on the lounge , so long as they ’ve had enough exercise first .
" This is a function breed , so they have a very unattackable prey ride and a fate of vim , " saysNicole Ellis , CPDT - KA , preferent life style expert with Rover .
Living Needs
Like other hound pawl , harrierscan be quite loquacious . They often " sing " when they ’re mad and they ’re quick to alert you if someone is at the doorway ( though do n’t confuse harriers with ticker pawl — they’ll almost surely greet the individual with tail - wags and enthusiastic sniff ) .
As long as your neighbors do n’t mind hearing your harasser through the wall from time to prison term , these versatile pups canlive in apartments or condos . Ideally , though , they ’re well suited for homes with way to roam — a large , fenced grounds gives harriers circle of opportunity to sniff and course .
But no matter where they live , it ’s paramount that harrier get daily practice session chance likewalks , jog , or extendedplay sessions with toysor other dogs .
" For most owners , their standout trait is their endless vitality military reserve , " Simon says .
Because of their strong prey thrust , harasser are not the best paroxysm for homes with other small-scale mammals for pets , such as rabbits and cats . But these highly adaptable dogs are clear to assemble newfangled masses , so if you love to throw parties or have people over to your house , your harrier will ensure that everyone feels proper at base .
Training a harrier dogis usually a breeze , thanks to this strain ’s eagerness to please their human companions ( though , at time , harriers can have an sovereign streak ! ) .
It ’s also a practiced estimation to keep a unfaltering provision of delightful , in high spirits - value treats on handto helpreinforce convinced behavior ; they also enjoy praise and a expert scratch behind the spike , too . These dogs boom in morestructured breeding environs , includingpuppy classes(which propose the added benefit ofhelping your harrier pup get socializedand meet other dogs and people ) .
Because they ’re working andiron who were bred for physically and mentally stimulating situations , harriers have a trend to become world-weary . And a bored harasser is an dysphoric harrier . Owners can keep them occupied byteaching them new pool cue and behaviors , providing them withfood puzzlesand interactive toy , and regularly take them to unexampled places with lots of visual sense and sounds . Nose piece of work trainingcan also help harrier put their excellent sniffers to use .
Care
The list of harrier grooming pauperism is short and sugared . Because their coating is short , dense , and glistening , it basically takes care of itself — a simplebrushing once a weekis enough to keep a harrier bet dapper . These pups involve occasionalbaths with firedog shampooto help them calculate and smell their proficient ( particularly if they like toroll around outdoors ! ) . Harriersshed a temperate amountand they drool very little , so they ’re not likely to get the house super dirty , either .
Pup parents shouldclean their harrier ’s ears regularly , using a gentle ear - cleaning resolution that ’s formulated specifically for dogs . They also profit fromregular nail trimswith agrinder or a clipper(a groomer can also aid with this if you ’re not easy trimming your dog ’s nails at home ) .
To elevate unwritten hygienics , it ’s also a good estimate tobrush your harrier ’s teeth regularly(nightly , if you could swing it ) and talk to your veterinarian about whetherprofessional deep - cleaningsare necessary for your hot dog . Yummydental chewscan also do double - responsibility as a dainty and a breath freshener .
Health
Healthy harriers can live to be 12–15 years one-time . They go suchlong , joy - filled livesthanks , in large part , to the vigilance of responsible harrier breeders , who test their dog for certain genetic circumstance that could be harmful to future generation .
Breeders typically try for eye diseases andhip dysplasia(which can induce painful sensation and fall range of motion for the harasser ’s hip joints ) . Some harriers may be susceptible tohypothyroidismbut , concord to theHarrier Club of America ( HCA ) , the condition is still comparatively rare .
Because they love their treats , harriers can easilyreach an unhealthy weightif they do n’t get enough exercise or run through too much . work with your veterinarian to talk over your harrier’sfood and treat intake , plus his activity level , is the dear way to keep weighting - touch progeny at bay . A ex-serviceman can also avail you decide on the righthigh - caliber dog foodto run your harrier , but a unspoiled place to begin is with a intellectual nourishment that match the dog ’s life level : puppy , adult , or elderly .
History
The harrier strain has a long history that go steady back to the mid-1200s , when they were developed in England for hunt rabbit . The name " harrier " even stems from this early job . At the time , harriers were much more popular than beagle , consort to the HCA .
Though their line of descent is a picayune fuzzy , the harrier dog engender in all likelihood made its mode to the U.S. with British colonizers in the 17th and eighteenth centuries . The American Kennel Club recognized the hounds in 1885 .
