Harrier

History & Health

History

The exact origin of the Harrier is shrouded in mystery. Even the great English authority on dog breeds, Stonehenge, only cautiously suggested that the Harrier descends from the old Southern Hound, with an infusion of Greyhound blood and possibly some contribution from the Fox Terrier, as well. While the Southern Hound is touted as being the ancestor of all scenthounds in Great Britain, little is known about its heritage. Most experts believe that the old Southern Hound came to England with the Normans. In any event, the first Harriers in England were developed by Sir Elias de Midhope in the mid-1200s, making it one of the oldest British breeds. Packs of these dogs, initially called Penistone Harriers, existed for at least five hundred years. Their original purpose was to track the large, slow European hare. Hare hunting has always been popular in England, sometimes being even more popular than fox hunting because hunters could trail their hare hounds on foot, without the need for the many horses required to follow fox hounds on the hunt. Moreover, hare hunting was never reserved to royalty; it was always accessible to commoners, who could add their few Harriers to a "scratch pack" made up of hounds owned by different people and still participate in the sport.
Reportedly, in 1825, the slow-moving Harrier - in size between the larger English Foxhound and the smaller Beagle - was crossed with Foxhounds to improve its speed and enable it to better hunt fox in addition to hare. The first stud books for Harriers published by the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles in England began in March 1891, and they continue to this day. However, there was a decline in the sport of hare hunting in Britain in the early 20th century. According to one authority, there were 110 packs of Harriers working in England by 1895. By 1902, there were 97 packs, and by 1914 there were 84 packs. World War I intervened, and by 1930 there were only 41 packs of Harriers in Britain. World War II worsened the situation even further. By the 1960s, only 28 Harrier packs remained in England, with only 23 of those exclusively hunting hare. Harriers remain less popular than the Beagle or Foxhound, but they still have a devoted following of fanciers.
The Harrier has been used for hunting in the United States since the 1700s, during Colonial times. The American Kennel Club accepted the Harrier for registration in 1885, making it only the fourth hound breed accepted into the AKC. Today, the Harrier is still used as a pack hunting hound in this country, and it continues to work tirelessly, no matter the terrain. They are equally popular in the conformation ring, in performance events and as a companion animal.

Health

The average life span of the Harrier is between 10 and 12 years. They generally are a very healthy breed, with hip dysplasia and epilepsy being occasionally reported.

Temperament & Personality

Personality

Harriers are playful dogs who have sometimes been called a Beagle on steroids. They have energy and stamina to spare and may seem like puppies well into adulthood. Harriers love attention, but they do not demand all eyes on them. They will accept a belly rub from just about anyone willing to give it, and after a long day in the hunting field, like nothing more than to curl up a his owners' feet for a nap. Harriers are excellent with children, playful and patient, and can be trusted around kids from outside his own family. They are pack animals, which means they love to be around lots of people and are even happier around lots of dogs.

Activity Requirements

Harriers were designed for stamina in the hunting field, and they require a lot of vigorous activity to be happy and healthy. This dog doesn't catch animals with his speed, but rather runs prey until they are too tired to keep going, so lots of exercise is a must. Their medium size may seem ideal for an apartment, but this is not an apartment dog, even in the city where he may have a lot of indoor space. Harriers are country dogs and are best suited for homes with large yards. Hunting is their favorite activity and they can endure long days in the field in most any conditions. If your family doesn't hunt, you can raise a happy Harrier by allowing him to run several times a day and involving him in tracking activities. Long walks, hikes and jogs are also excellent ways to burn off energy. One to two hours per day of vigorous activity is the guideline for a well-adjusted Harrier.

Trainability

Harriers have a stubborn side and can be a challenge to train. While they pick up hunting commands quickly, being told what to do in the house is a different story. Calm-assertive leadership is important, and lots of treats should be kept on hand. Harriers to best when training is conducted in short sessions. Harsh tones and discipline lead to avoidance behaviors and a dog that won't listen to anybody.

Behavioral Traits

Harriers can not be trusted with non-canine pets. They are chasers and hunters and their instincts remain strong. Even if raised alongside cats, at some point the Harrier will want to chase and hunt them. They get along well with other dogs, but cats and rodents should be avoided.

Like other hound breeds, Harriers can be prone to barking and howling, especially at night or when left alone for long periods of time. It is important to exercise a Harrier before he will be left by himself, and to always leave him with interesting activities to occupy his time while you are away. Not only will bored Harriers bark, they are also prone to destructive chewing. Because they are pack dogs, Harriers can be less anxious if they have a companion dog to keep them company while the family is out of the house.