Harrier
FriendlyOutgoingActive
England · 12–15 years
About the Harrier
The Harrier is a medium-sized English pack hound that falls between the Beagle and the English Foxhound in size. Developed for hunting hares on foot (rather than mounted), Harriers have been pack hunters in England since the 1200s. They are sturdy, athletic, and tireless with a friendly, outgoing personality. Harriers look like a large Beagle or a small Foxhound — muscular, well-balanced, and built for endurance. Despite their long history, they are one of the rarest AKC breeds in the United States, with very few kept as individual pets.
Breed stats
- Height
- 19–21 in
- Weight
- 45–60 lbs
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Group
- Hound
- Coat
- Short, dense, hard, glossy
- Origin
- England
Coat colors
- Tricolor
- Red and White
- Lemon and White
- Any hound color
Temperament & ratings
Compatibility
Exercise & feeding
Daily exercise
60–90 min
per day recommended
Daily food
1.5–2.5 cups
high-quality dry food
Common health issues
- Hip dysplasia
- Ear infections
- Hypothyroidism
- Epilepsy
- Eye problems
Not every Harrier will develop these conditions, but awareness helps with early detection. Regular veterinary checkups and choosing a responsible breeder who health-tests their dogs are the best preventive measures.
Can Harriers eat...
- Can dogs eat blueberries?Safe
- Can dogs eat grapes?Toxic
- Can dogs eat bananas?Safe
- Can dogs eat chocolate?Toxic
- Can dogs eat watermelon?Safe
- Can dogs eat cheese?Caution
- Can dogs eat almonds?Caution
- Can dogs eat apples?Safe
Frequently Asked Questions
- Harriers are often described as big Beagles, and there is some truth to the comparison — they share similar coloring, build proportions, and temperament. However, Harriers are a distinct breed, standing 19-21 inches and weighing 45-60 lbs compared to the Beagle's 13-15 inches and 20-30 lbs. Harriers are more athletic and have greater stamina for long hunts. They tend to be slightly less vocal than Beagles and somewhat more trainable. Both are friendly, pack-oriented hounds, but Harriers need more exercise and space. Think of a Harrier as a Beagle scaled up with more endurance.
- Harriers have excellent potential as family dogs for active, rural families. They are friendly, patient, and wonderful with children and other dogs. Their pack-hunting heritage makes them highly sociable and cooperative. They are less stubborn than many hound breeds and can be moderately trained with patience. However, they need significant daily exercise, have a loud bay that carries far, and will follow scent trails obsessively. They are best suited to families with large, fenced properties and an active outdoor lifestyle. Their rarity means finding one requires significant effort.
- Harriers are among the rarest AKC breeds, consistently ranking near the bottom of annual registrations. In some years, fewer than 20 Harriers are registered with the AKC. Their rarity as pets is partly because most Harriers live in organized hunting packs rather than individual homes. Finding a Harrier puppy as a pet is extremely difficult — there are very few breeders in the United States. The breed is more common in England, where harrier packs continue to hunt hares. For most people interested in a hound of this type, a Beagle is a much more accessible alternative.
Similar breeds
Explore all dog breeds
DogDataHub covers 199+ breeds with full profiles, health info, and compatibility ratings.
Browse all breeds