

The Harrier is a tireless, athletic pack hound—bred to spend hours tracking hare scents through rough terrain in a group. He combines the keen nose of a Beagle with the athleticism of a Foxhound, paired with an enormous need to run.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Harrier fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Shoulder height
48–55 cm
Weight
18–29 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Harrier, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Harrier — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
Outdoors, a Harrier is a focused, high-performance athlete on four paws that perceives the world primarily through his nose. If you try to drill him into blind obedience like a German Shepherd, you will both be unhappy—but if you give him a real trail to follow and plenty of exercise, you will have the gentlest and most sociable companion you could imagine indoors.
The Harrier is a medium-sized dog with a muscular and compact build. It is similar to the English Foxhound, but is slightly smaller and more agile. Its head is medium length with a flat skull, and its ears are medium sized, high set and drooping. The eyes are dark and have a gentle expression, giving his face a friendly look. The Harrier has a powerful neck and a straight back that flows into a moderately long tail that is carried high. The legs are straight and well muscled, giving this dog excellent agility and endurance. The Harrier belongs to FCI Group 6, the scenthounds and bloodhounds. There is no distinction between performance and show lines.
The Harrier is a dog with a very friendly and outgoing nature. His character is characterized by high energy, endurance and a love of movement. He was bred to hunt, and his natural instincts are still strong. He has an excellent nose and shows a keen interest in tracking scents. This makes him an excellent hunting dog, but it also means that he can tend to follow his nose in the wild, making him a less suitable companion for relaxed off-leash walks. The Harrier is very people-oriented and enjoys the company of his family. He is loving and affectionate and loves to be involved in daily activities. He is also very playful and gets along well with children, making him an excellent family dog. Although he is an active dog, the Harrier can learn to stay alone if he is well exercised and receives sufficient mental and physical stimulation. It's important to note that his high energy means he needs regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and balanced. The Harrier is an alert dog and will alert his family when strangers approach, but he is generally not aggressive and will often respond friendly to visitors. Its hunting instincts are strong and it exhibits strong prey-catching behavior. This means he may not get along well with smaller pets and will need to be supervised during outdoor walks to ensure he doesn't run off to follow a scent. In summary, the Harrier is an energetic, friendly and loving dog that requires an active family willing to challenge him both mentally and physically. His hunting instincts require special attention, especially in game-rich areas, but with the right exercise and management he can be a wonderful companion and a loyal friend.
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Considered a “miniature version” of English Foxhounds, Harriers are known for their excellent instincts and ability to hunt long distances.
The Harrier is a fast, prey-oriented, medium-sized hunting dog originally bred for hare hunting in medieval England. The outgoing and friendly Harrier is much larger than the Beagle, but smaller than another close relative, the English Foxhound.
Harriers are active dogs and need plenty of space to run around. They are therefore more suitable for living in the country or in a house with a large garden than for a city apartment. They tend to get along well with children and can be very patient, but it is always advisable to monitor interactions between dogs and small children. Harriers can also get along with other dogs, but their hunting instincts can pose a problem when living with smaller pets such as cats.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
Harriers are intelligent dogs, but their independence can sometimes make training challenging. It's important to start training early and stay consistent. Positive reinforcement works best with this breed. Harriers have a lot of energy and can be well suited to dog sports such as agility or search games. Since they are originally hunting dogs, it is important to offer them alternatives such as sniffing games to keep their hunting instincts in check. It's also important to pay attention to impulse control and frustration tolerance in Harriers, as they can be a bit stubborn at times. There is also a risk of Harriers becoming “ball junkies,” so ball play should be done in moderation and supplemented with other activities.
When it comes to nutrition, the Harrier needs a balanced diet with quality ingredients. Since they are active dogs, they should be fed a diet rich in proteins and fats to support their energy. You should also make sure to keep an eye on your Harrier's weight to make sure he doesn't become overweight, which can put strain on his joints. When it comes to grooming, the Harrier has short, dense fur with no undercoat. Its coat is easy to care for and only requires regular brushing to remove dead hair and keep the coat clean and shiny. Harriers shed moderately, but regular brushing can reduce shedding. The climate in Germany should not be a problem for Harriers as their fur protects them from the elements.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Solid
Health grade
In the Harrier, orthopedic health focuses primarily on hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), supplemented by risks of epilepsy, cataracts, and hypothyroidism. A responsible breeder therefore has their breeding dogs carefully X-rayed and examined by a veterinarian prior to mating. Before buying a puppy, ask to see the parents' official X-ray results showing HD A–B and ED 0. Also look for evidence of eye examinations showing free of cataracts, normal thyroid values, and a verifiably epilepsy-free breeding line.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
You should focus on joint-friendly development and maintaining a healthy weight, as well as having his eyes and thyroid checked regularly by a vet.
Reputable breeders have the hips, elbows, eyes, and thyroids of the parent dogs tested and pay attention to epilepsy-free lines to reduce hereditary risks.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
Tier 1 is the recommended health standard for this breed. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Recommended standard. These tests make up the recommended health standard for this breed — the baseline of any careful breeding program. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Harrier costs around ~€180 per month (€90 – €340, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,980 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13.5 years) it comes to about ~€31,920.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€170 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€180
In the first year
~€4,980
Across the dog's life
~€31,920
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,500 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
HonestDog Concierge
We currently have no breeders for this breed who have passed our verification. Create your short buyer profile: we'll set up your search alert, review a possible source and email you within 28 days.

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Illustrative imageThe Harrier's exact origins are not clearly documented, but it is believed to have originated in Great Britain. There are various theories as to how the breed came to be. A popular theory is that the Harrier originated from a cross between the Bloodhound and the Talbot Hound in the Middle Ages. Another theory suggests that it arose from selective breeding of small English Foxhounds. The Harrier was originally bred for hare hunting and was very popular with the rural population in England. His skills as a scenthound made him a valuable companion for hunters who hunted on foot. It was used for hunting both individually and in packs. The breed was brought to the United States in the 19th century, where it was also used for hunting. However, in Britain the breed's popularity declined throughout the 20th century, partly due to the emergence of motor sports and the ban on fox hunting. The Harrier has been recognized as a separate breed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) since 1974.
The Harrier was originally bred for hare hunting in packs and is known for its endurance and speed.
England
Mittelalter
Many owners and breed experts highlight the Harrier's very friendly, gentle, easygoing nature at home. As a classic pack hound, it shows little potential for aggression toward people, children, and especially other dogs, and with enough exercise it fits smoothly into family life. Indoors, owners often describe it as cuddly, relaxed, and very affectionate.
At the same time, owner accounts point to the downside of its pack past: many Harriers find it hard to be left alone. Without the company of people or a calm, confident second dog, under-exercised Harriers tend toward separation stress, loud howling, or destroying things. The tendency to bark or sound off loudly when excited or at noises is also something owners need to keep an eye on at home from the start.
Sources:petbook.depaw-champ.comhundeseite.dego4vet.comedogs.de
Owners agree in their accounts of walks and training that this breed has huge stamina and a deep-rooted hunting instinct. As soon as a Harrier outside catches a fresh scent, it noticeably switches into work mode: keeping an eye and ear on its person takes a back seat, and recalls are easily ignored. That's why most owners report that relaxed off-leash time in areas with lots of wildlife is hardly realistic, and the long line is a constant companion in daily life.
Training a Harrier therefore takes a lot of patience, humor, and consistency. It is considered a quick learner and motivated by positive reinforcement, but its independent working style often brings a certain stubbornness. Successful owners recommend not stubbornly suppressing its strong drive to find things, but redirecting it in a controlled way through tracking, mantrailing, or drag trails to keep the dog mentally satisfied.
Sources:petbook.depaw-champ.comgo4vet.comhundeseite.derundum.dog
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Harrier is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Harrier is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Harrier grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Harrier can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Harrier comes in these colors: Tricolor, Red and white, Bicolor, Piebald.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Harrier.