Harrier
The Harrier is one of the oldest British scent hound breeds — mentioned in English hunting records from the 13th century and used in packs specifically for hunting hare on foot (hare coursing preceded on foot, unlike fox hunting on horseback).
Origin
United Kingdom
Lifespan
12–15 years
Weight
19–27 kg (42–60 lbs)
Height
48–53 cm (19–21 in)
Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food for an active medium hound.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Harrier is one of the oldest British scent hound breeds — mentioned in English hunting records from the 13th century and used in packs specifically for hunting hare on foot (hare coursing preceded on foot, unlike fox hunting on horseback). The breed is essentially a mid-sized hound between the Beagle and the English Foxhound in size — bred to hunt hare at a pace a man on foot can follow. The name "Harrier" derives from "hare." Despite being one of Britain's oldest breeds and a beautiful, functional hound, the Harrier is one of the rarest of the AKC-registered breeds — fewer than 150 registered annually in the USA.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: needs-manual
A medium-sized, well-proportioned scent hound of classic British hound type — clean-lined, athletic, and workmanlike. Tricolour or bicolour in the Beagle/Foxhound colour range. Short, dense coat. Similar to a large Beagle or small English Foxhound.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-6-8-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Temperament & Personality
Outgoing, friendly, and tolerant — the Harrier has the same cheerful, sociable hound personality as the Beagle. Excellent with children and other dogs (bred to hunt in packs). Determined and independent on a scent trail.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
2/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Large-Garden
Daily Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Ideal Weather
0°C to 28°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
20%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
baying, escape attempts, pacing, restlessness, pack-seeking
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •2+ hours vigorous exercise daily. Very low grooming. Secure fencing — scenting instinct makes recall unreliable in open areas.
Nutrition Notes
Medium-sized English pack hound. Very healthy. Ear infections. Few dietary restrictions. Moderate calorie needs.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Hip dysplasia (low rates). Ear infections. Very few other documented issues. Designed for foot-pace hunting (not mounted like Foxhound). 13th-century English breed. Looks like a small English Foxhound. Extremely rare as pets. 12-15 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1100 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
800 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia. Generally very healthy — the working pack hound selection has produced a robust, disease-resistant breed. One of the healthier medium hound breeds.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Foot-pace hunting hound (13th century). Extremely rare as pet. India: unavailable.
Purchase Price
$800 to $2,000
Adoption Fee
$100 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Harrier is one of the rarest AKC-recognised dog breeds despite being one of Britain's oldest — fewer than 150 are registered annually in the USA, making it rarer than many exotic or newly developed breeds.
The Harrier was designed specifically to be hunted at a pace humans on foot could follow — unlike the much faster Foxhound which requires mounted followers. The breed's moderate pace and excellent nose made it the hound of choice for hunts on foot across English farmland.
