Apartment fit
A Harrier can live indoors comfortably, but apartment life is hard unless exercise, scent work, and noise are managed every day.
HoundMediumGreat Britain
Harrier
Weight
45-60 lb
Height
19-21 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Harrier is a medium English pack hound bred to hunt hare, with a short easy coat, strong nose, and sociable but active temperament.
Medium English pack hound for hare huntingFriendly and sociable but strongly scent-drivenShort coat in any good hound colorNeeds secure fencing and substantial daily exercise
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
No widely used alternate names are recorded for this breed.
FriendlyOutgoingScent-DrivenActivePack-OrientedEnduring
Weight
45-60 lb
Height
19-21 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
High
Barking
High
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
1/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Harrier is an English scenthound developed for hunting hare in packs. It is often described as between the Beagle and English Foxhound in size, but it is a distinct breed with its own working style: active, enduring, nose-led, and comfortable around other hounds.
A Harrier can be friendly and good-humored in a family home, but it is not a low-effort couch dog. The breed was built to move, follow scent, and work with a pack, so daily exercise, secure fencing, and realistic recall expectations are essential. Off-leash freedom in open areas is risky unless the space is safely enclosed.
The short coat is simple to maintain and the AKC standard allows any good hound color. Routine care should focus on ears, feet, weight, and conditioning. Breed-specific health data is limited because Harriers are uncommon, but owners should discuss hips, eyes, thyroid, ears, and field soundness with breeders and veterinarians.
Temperament & Personality
FriendlyOutgoingScent-DrivenActivePack-OrientedEnduring
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a friendly, outgoing, scent-driven companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, high barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Any Hound Color, Tricolor, Black Tan and White, Lemon and White, Red and White
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers4/5
Apartment Friendly2/5
Exercise Needs4/5
Grooming Needs1/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 4/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- high barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active homes that enjoy long walks and scent games
- owners comfortable with hound voice and prey drive
- homes with secure fencing
- families wanting a sociable medium hound
Not ideal for
- owners needing quiet low-effort companionship
- homes without secure outdoor access
- people expecting reliable off-leash control around wildlife
- apartments with noise-sensitive neighbors
Common challenges
- baying and excitement barking
- following scent on walks
- recall around wildlife
- keeping exercise consistent
Barking & behavior
Expect a friendly but vocal hound. Teach calm greetings and quiet settling, but do not expect the breed to be silent.
Training style
Use rewards, long-line work, and real-world scent distractions. Harriers respond best when training feels practical and active.
Grooming & shedding
The short coat is low-maintenance and moderately shedding. Check ears and feet after outdoor work.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Harriers need long daily walks, sniffing time, play, and safe enclosed running. Scent work, tracking games, and hiking are more satisfying than repetitive fetch alone.
Grooming
Brush the short coat weekly, keep nails short, and check ears after wet or muddy walks. Coat care is easy, but hound ears and feet need routine attention.
Training
Use reward-based training and practice around scent distractions. Recall should be developed with long-line work and backed up by secure fencing.
Nutrition
Feed a measured diet for an active medium hound. Keep weight lean because extra pounds reduce stamina and increase joint strain.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
High
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Ear infectionsHip dysplasiaEye diseaseHypothyroidismField injuriesObesity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Harrier a good apartment dog?
Usually not the easiest choice. A Harrier is a vocal, active pack hound that needs daily outdoor exercise and good scent outlets. Apartments only work with a very committed routine.
Does the Harrier bark a lot?
Harriers can be vocal. Baying, excitement barking, and alerting are realistic hound behaviors, especially if the dog is under-exercised.
Is the Harrier good for first-time owners?
It is usually better for owners who understand scenthounds. First-time owners need support with recall, leash manners, exercise, and safe containment.
How much exercise does the Harrier need?
Most healthy adults need substantial daily exercise with sniffing or tracking. The breed was made to hunt hare over distance, so short walks alone are rarely enough.
Is the Harrier good with kids and other dogs?
Many Harriers are friendly with children and other dogs when socialized. They are pack hounds, but supervision is still needed because they are active and prey-driven.
Does the Harrier shed a lot?
The short coat sheds moderately and is easy to brush. Ear checks and nail care are usually bigger routine tasks than coat care.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Harrier?
The biggest challenge is managing hound instincts: voice, scent focus, recall limits, and the need for secure exercise.
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