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Hound Handbook
Insurance guide
Breed profile

Harrier

A hare-hunting pack hound sized between a Beagle and a Foxhound. Cheerful, sociable and rare, with the nose and voice of both.

Tan and white Harrier standing alert among purple heather
HarrierPhoto: Evforce / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
20–30 kg44–66 lb
Height
48–53 cm19–21 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Hound
Origin
England
Popularity
#199 US#193 UK · 2025

Known for: Running partnersGood with other dogsFamily dogsLow grooming

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Cheerful, Sociable, Tolerant, Active.

Health problems to know about

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • Perianal fistula

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Two hours of daily exercise, ideally running in a secure area, plus scent games. A short coat that needs only a weekly brush.

A good fit for

Active country households with older kids or another dog, and owners who can be patient waiting for a puppy.

Probably not ideal for

Flats, homes where the dog is alone all day (they bay when bored), and homes with cats or rabbits.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Harrier
  2. PetMD: Harrier
  3. Wikipedia: Harrier (dog)

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

Similar breeds

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A low-slung scent hound with a world-class nose and a voice to match. Easygoing at home, single-minded on a trail.

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Whippet

A small sighthound that sprints like a rocket outdoors and curls up under a blanket indoors. Gentle, quiet and very fond of the sofa.

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Plott Hound

Brindle American hunting hound bred to bay boar and bear. Loyal and sociable, with a voice that carries.

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Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

The tallest of the French basset hounds: rough-coated, cheerful and sociable, with a nose that overrides its ears.

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