Are you thinking about adopting a new dog? Why not get one that can help you lose a ton of weight? Because if you decide to adopt a Harrier, there’s a good chance that is exactly what will happen! You see, the Harrier dog breed is one of the most active and energetic dogs out there that are always on the move and will make you want to get out there and move around, too!
That is, of course…
Suppose you’re the right “kind” owner for one of these guys. The kind of owner loves to go running, walking, riding, or hiking. This is because the Harrier loves to run and lead the way! And while we’ll be the first to tell you that we love these kinds of dogs, we here at IndulgeYourPet understand that a super active dog isn’t the “perfect” fit for everyone. This is why, in this article, we hope to shed some light on what it might be like to own one of these incredible dogs so that if you’re ever allowed to own one, you’ll know for sure if it will be a good idea.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Harrier Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: England
Original Purpose: Trailing rabbits
Height: 18 to 22 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 40 to 60 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Dog Breed Classification: Hound group
Harrier Dog Breed Origin
Whenever you’re talking about an old dog breed, you’re almost always going to get a variety of theories explaining how they came to be, and the Harrier dog breed is no exception to this rule. What is known is that these guys are one of the oldest scent hounds in existence today and are likely the product of interbreeding between the Greyhound dog breed and a now-extinct dog breed called the Southern Hound that existed several hundred years ago in England. These guys have been around since at least the early 13th century.
Well, that’s at least one theory that’s out there. Another idea is that the Harrier was brought to England by the Nordics when they invaded the country in 1066 AD. They say that the Harrier is a descendant of the Penistone pack.
There is at least one thing…
Everyone can agree that once these guys did come into existence, they have proven to be quite helpful. While they may not have always been as popular as some of his larger and faster cousins, these guys have proven to be great companion animals with incredible talent for tracking a target.
These guys…
They were also some of the first dogs brought to America, and while they may not be the most popular dog breed today, they were still “officially” recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) very early (1885). Their numbers may be on the rise ever since the Harrier Club of America was started in 1992.
Physical Characteristics
The Harrier is a medium-sized dog. And while he may be small enough to live comfortably in a small apartment or condo, please remember that these guys will require a ton of exercise, so unless you like going on long walks or have access to dog parks nearby, this may not be the right dog for you. The good news is that if you adopt one of these guesses, you’ll like that the Harrier has a short, dense coat, which is easy to care for and does not shed much.
Amazing stamina
Now, some hunters have favored other “hound dogs” because these guys aren’t necessarily the fastest dogs in the world, but what they lack in speed, they more than make up with tremendous stamina. These guys can run, run, and keep running without getting tired. This makes him a perfect hunting dog, provided you’re not looking for him to take down an animal in a sprint.
You see…
These guys prefer to hunt foxes and hares for hours till they drop out of complete exhaustion. And when we say “prefer,” we mean it because these guys can be relentless while on the hunt. Another thing you’ll likely notice about the Harrier dog breed is that he has a dark, small, brooding, and intelligent eye and long, dropped ears which, when all meshed together, seem to give you a look like…
“Is it time to go yet?”
Comparison Dog Breeds
The Harrier Dog Breed is a medium-sized dog that may be compared to other dog breeds, such as the:
- Flat-Coated Retriever, American Foxhound, Griffon Vendeen, Curly-Coated Retriever, Portuguese Podengo, Shepherd Dog, Entlebucher Mountain, Chinese Shar-Pei, Basset Griffon Vendeen, Labrador Retriever, English Foxhound, Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Cocker Spaniel, Welsh Corgi, Basset Hound, Springer Spaniel, Basset Griffon, Water Spaniel, German Shepherd, Border Collie, Black And Tan, Coonhound, Treeing Walker Coonhound, and the Canaan Dog.
Personality and Temperament
The Harrier has a very playful personality. He loves being around people, is very loyal to his human family, and gets attached to all family members; this is one reason we’ll often recommend these dogs to families with children because they will never tire of playing with them and will protect them till the end. Kids adore him. Mainly Because he is so sweet and funny, he is very kind and generous with children and doesn’t snap back even when a child does something stupid, such as trying to hurt him.
They’re also…
I am eager to see you as your leader and will follow you everywhere. But they do tend to have a bit of an independence streak, so you will want to begin your obedience training early and use positive reinforcement techniques so that your Harrier looks to you as a loving yet firm owner; he is also a very stable breed and friendly with everyone. He is a great pet to introduce to friends or interesting new people you meet in the park and elsewhere.
But be warned…
The Harrier dog breed is very vocal, always chirpy, and constantly barking. He barks all the time, especially when he is bored. He howls whenever he suspects something. Those living with close neighbors know this can be an issue, but as long as he gets enough exercise, he should be fine.
Potential Health Concerns
Harriers are among the healthiest dog breeds in the world – no kidding. This powerful, muscular, robust dog with tremendous stamina rarely gets sick. However, Hip dysplasia is one major health issue with this breed. This is primarily a genetic problem, and the number of Harriers afflicted by this condition is declining, which is excellent!
You’ll want…
Be sure to discuss this issue with any Harrier breeder you work with or a Harrier rescue program you can adopt from. Remember, even though the Harrier dog breed is healthy, the medical treatment for hip dysplasia can cost anything from $1,500 to $6,000! This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
