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Pronunciation

Description

The Harrier is similar to the English Foxhound, but smaller. The head is in proportion to the rest of the dog, with a bold forehead and a moderate stop. The muzzle is about the same length as the skull. The black nose is wide with open nostrils. The teeth meet in a level or scissors bite. The wide-set ears are medium in size, and brown or hazel in color. The low-set ears hang down beside the cheeks and are rounded at the tips. The topline of the back is level. The legs are long with round cat-like feet. The long tail is set high. The coat is short, fine and glossy, and can come in any color, but is often tri-colored, lemon and white, red and white, or white and tan.

Temperament

The Harrier is somewhat more playful and outgoing than the Foxhound, but not as much as the Beagle. Cheerful, sweet-tempered, and tolerant, it is excellent with children. This pack dog is good with other dogs, but should be supervised with non-canine pets. It prefers life in a pack with people, dogs, or both. This active dog likes to go roam, exploring, sniffing and trailing. Some Harriers like to bay. They are determined and watchful and require patient, firm training. It is important you are this dog's pack leader and that you provide the proper amount of mental and physical exercise including daily pack walks, to avoid separation anxiety. When under exercised they can become a handful, possibly destructive and high-strung. There are two types, field lines and show lines (bench). Field types are bred for hunting and field trial work. The bench type are bred for conformation shows. Both types are energetic and need daily exercise, but field lines have a higher energy level and need even more exercise. The dominancy level in this breed varies even within the same litter. If you are not the type of person who can display a natural air of calm, but firm authority, then be sure to choose a pup who is more submissive. The temperament of both show and field lines vary widely, depending upon how the owners treat the dog and how much and what type of exercise they provide.

Height, Weight

Health Problems

Living conditions

Exercise

Life expectancy

Grooming

Origin

While the exact origins are not clear, the Harrier is believed to have been bred down in size from the English Foxhound. While smaller than the Foxhound, it is larger than the Beagle. The breed has existed in America since the Colonial times. The breed was developed primarily to hunt hare, hence the name, and can also do well with fox. The dogs became popular in England due to their slower pace, the hunters were able to keep up with them on foot. The dogs had superior stamina in the field, with excellent noses. The breed is more popular in England working in packs, and is still rare in the USA. The Harrier was recognized by the AKC in 1885.

Group

Recognition

CKC = Continental Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American Kennel Club
CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
NKC = National Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
HCA = Harrier Club of America
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.

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