Harrier
Complete Breed Guide
"Where is that wascally wabbit?"
Quick Facts About Harriers
Sporting
45–60 lbs
19–21"
No
Overview
Harriers love people, dogs, and anything small that they can chew. They have a keen sense of smell and were bred to hunt rabbits and foxes. Harriers are extremely social and should be kept around people and dogs as much as possible.
Harriers are affectionate pack dogs who were bred to hunt rabbits and foxes. They have a lot of energy and will bolt after something fuzzy faster than you can say squirrel. Harriers are generally friendly toward everyone and love being around people and other dogs. Sometimes, Harriers are confused for Beagles or Foxhounds, but they’ll gladly speak up and use their voice to proudly tell you that they are a Harrier... or that they’re hungry. If you’re looking for a loyal, family friendly pet who will do almost anything for a snack, a Harrier makes an excellent companion.
Temperament and Behavior
Harriers are pack dogs who love being around other canines and crave companionship from people and dogs alike. Harriers are also escape artists and will dig or jump to try to get out so they can go hunting. When they see strangers, they might bark a little, but they’re likely to be wagging their tail and asking to be petted at the same time. Some Harriers do like to talk, and they’ll mumble or groan to let you know what kind of mood they're in, which is usually hungry.
Coat & Grooming
Harriers have a short, dense coat that should be brushed about once a week to spread their skin oils around their body and remove dead hairs. This will help you cut back on hair you find around your house, as Harriers do shed.
Lifestyle & Living Conditions
Harriers thrive in larger spaces. They fit best in more rural settings where they have access to a large, safe, securely fenced yard to run around in. Harriers are also best placed in homes with other dogs to keep them company when you can’t be around. They do great with children, but usually think of cats more as something to chase than as new pals. Lastly, harriers need to be allowed in your home to hang out with you when you’re around. Ideally, they can live inside with you, but a Harrier left outside all of the time will let you and your neighbors know how unhappy they are!
Exercise & Activity
Harriers have energy to spare and will follow you anywhere. They would love to join you on a hike, hunt, or jog. Just remember, they’ll take off after any interesting scent they find, so make sure to keep them on a leash anywhere that they could get themselves into any kind of trouble or get lost. You should expect to give a Harrier about an hour of strenuous exercise every day to keep them in a good mood.
Characteristics at-a-glance
Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.
Harrier FAQs
Common questions about the Harrier breed, answered by our editorial team.
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