Harrier
A medium-sized English pack hound between Beagle and Foxhound, cheerful and sociable, made to hunt hare.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- 48–55 cm
- Weight
- Males 20–27 kg · Females 19–25 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Tricolour, Bicolour, White, Lemon
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 6, no. 295 · Scent hounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 5/5 – Very high |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 1/5 – Very low |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want an active, sociable hound
- have other dogs
- enjoy long countryside walks
Think twice if you …
- are out all day
- have cats or small pets
- need a quiet dog
Care
Temperament
Cheerful, friendly and outgoing, very sociable with dogs. Determined and independent on a scent.
Exercise
Needs at least an hour or two of activity daily; long walks, running and scent work are ideal.
Grooming
The short, hard coat needs only a weekly brush.
Training
Friendly but independent; reward-based training works, though recall around scent stays a challenge.
Health
A generally healthy breed; hip dysplasia and some eye conditions are reported. Ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Harrier is an old English pack hound, used for centuries to hunt hare with followers on foot or on horseback. It looks much like a smaller English Foxhound, with a strong, athletic build and great endurance.
Today most Harriers still live in hunting packs, and the breed is rare as a pet. As a companion it is cheerful, friendly and usually excellent with other dogs, reflecting its pack life. It is also vocal, energetic and devoted to following scent, so it needs an active home, secure fencing and plenty of company.
Did you know?
Harrier packs traditionally hunted hare, followed by people on foot or on horseback.