Harrier

The Harrier was used in England to hunt hare for hunters following on foot, smaller than a Foxhound but fast and tireless enough to run quarry down across open fields for hours. The name comes from an old French word for hare, which describes its sole historic purpose precisely. The short, dense coat needs minimal grooming. A male weighs up to 27 kilograms, muscular and high-energy, at its best with a job or at least a long daily run. The breed tends to hunt by scent even in a domestic setting, so a leash outdoors is close to essential. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Harrier: how old in human years?

46–55 cmHeight
18–27 kgWeight
10–12 yrsLife expectancy

Basset Fauve de Bretagne

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 295
Country of origin: United Kingdom

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 48–55 cm

Females 46–53 cm

Weight

Males 20–27 kg

Females 18–25 kg

Life expectancy

10–12 yrs

Coat

short, dense (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Harrier's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 5/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Harrier's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Harrier's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 2/5
Barking level 4/5

Grooming & Care

Harrier's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 2/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Harrier

The first time your Harrier picks up a fresh hare trail on a walk, you will understand why the neighbours start asking questions. That is not barking but a hound's voice, ringing and sustained, made so hunters could hear it two fields away. The Harrier was bred in England to hunt hare in a pack, and the heritage shows in every stride: he does not tire, forgets the world once he is on a scent and needs a great deal of exercise.

He can be trained, but bring patience and good treats: he is clever enough, he just trusts his nose more than your commands. Letting him off the lead in open country is a gamble, because once he is on a trail he can go far and for a long time. A flat is too small for him, and long hours home alone tend to end in howling and gutted cushions.

On the other hand he gets on brilliantly with other dogs, being a pack hound after all, and is happy to share a home with a second four-legged friend. With his family he is cheerful, patient with children and not especially wary of strangers, so don't expect a guard dog. A typical Harrier day is a long morning hike, sniffing games in the garden, another long evening walk, and a very contented, very tired dog on the rug.

Grooming and coat

The Harrier's coat is short, dense and practical, like a good pair of work trousers: mud dries and falls off, and there is barely anything to brush. A rubber mitt or bristle brush once a week does it, more during a seasonal coat change, when the short hairs on your clothes and floors multiply noticeably. Bath him only when he has rolled in something he shouldn't have, which, being a hound, he will.

After a walk across fields, check his feet and run a hand through the coat for ticks and burrs. Look inside the drop ears once a week: they are warm, poorly aired and hold on to moisture, so show any smell or redness to your vet.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (27 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 305 g of dry food a day, from €16,70 a month For a neutered, normally active 22,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog