Harrier

The Harrier is the English pack hound bred to hunt hare on foot — larger than a Beagle, smaller than a Foxhound, and older than both as a named type.

History

Harrier packs are recorded in England from the thirteenth century, hunting hare with followers on foot rather than horseback, which set the pace the breed was built around: stamina over speed. It has always been a pack dog registered by the packs themselves, and it remains one of the rarer breeds in kennel-club registries precisely because it stayed working.

Temperament

The breed is known for being cheerful, tolerant and thoroughly sociable — a pack animal that gets on with dogs, people and children, and that follows its nose without hesitation.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise and secure ground; recall competes with a nose it was bred to obey. The short coat is easy and the drop ears want checking.

Health

Generally robust, with hip dysplasia and ear infections among the known tendencies. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.