Harrier Dogs

Breed: Hound

Height: 18-22 inches

Weight: 40-60 pounds

Coat Type: Short, fine and glossy

Harrier dog is a small to medium size breed, with a look of the Beagle and body of a Foxhound. A loving and energetic companion, this dog makes a great family pet. The athletic and muscular nature gives the dog great endurance and speed while on the chase. A Harrier dog is an extremely sociable canine and loves being around people, other dogs and children. The excellent sense of smell and tireless work ethic of the dog makes it a great fit for hunters. Due to its physical appearance, the dog has been given a nickname, “Beagle on steroids”. Read through the following lines to know more about the Harrier dog.

 

The exact origin of the Harrier dog is not known, though it is believed to have been crossbred from different breeds. While some sources claim that the dog is an outcome of crossbreeding between Bloodhounds, Talbot Hound and Basset Hound, others believe that the dog was developed from crossbreeding of English Foxhound with Fox Terrier and Greyhound. Yet a few others are of the opinion that the dog is a simple bred-down version of the English Foxhound. The breed existed in America, since the colonial times, where it was bred to hunt hares and foxes. The breed was established in England by Sir Elias de Midhope, in 1260. Since then, the dog breed has spread out throughout the west of England and Wales. Today, the breed is more popular in England and is very rare in USA. The breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885.

 

Harrier dog is a smaller version of the English Foxhound, but is larger than the Beagle dog. The canine has a well-defined muscular body with powerful limbs. The head of the dog is proportionate to the rest of the body, marked by a bold forehead with a moderate stop. The muzzle equals the skull of the canine. The Harrier dog has a wide black nose with open nostrils. Its medium eyes are wide-set in colors of either brown or hazel. The ears are low-set, rounded at the tips and hang down beside the cheeks. The dog has a tail that is long and set high and a short, fine and glossy coat, in tri-color shades of tan, white and black. Colors like tan and white, white and red, lemon and white, or a mixture of any of these shades are also found in the breed.

 

An energetic dog at heart, the Harrier is a happy, well-tempered and sweet breed. It is not independent in nature and always prefers staying around people or other dogs constantly. Being cheerful and tolerant, the dog makes an excellent pet with children. It is an active dog who loves to roam, explore, sniff and trail. Though it is determined and watchful, it requires firm and patient training. Due to its high energy and activeness, the dog is not suitable for apartment living, unless its owners are engaged in daily jogs, hikes and hunts. The dog should be exercised daily and can accompany on long vigorous walks or runs.

 

Harrier dog is one of the healthiest dog breeds. However, the dog can be subject to hip dysplasia, epilepsy and jaw malformations in rare cases.

 

The short coat of Harrier dog makes it a low maintenance breed to groom. The dog should be brushed with a comb or harsh cloth, once a week, to remove dead hair. The ears require regular cleaning and nails should be trimmed. The dog is an average shedder.