| Harrier Hound |
Origin
The origin of the Harrier Hound is unclear and there are conflicting stories about how this breed came to be, some believe that the Harrier Hound came to be from crossing of Bloodhounds, Talbot Hound and even the Basset Hound. However other believe the breed was developed from crossing English Foxhounds with Fox Terriers and Greyhounds.Today’s Harrier Hound is sized between the Beagle and English Foxhound and is mainly used to hunt hare in the UK, though the breed has also been used in fox hunting as well. The Harrier is still fairly unusual in Australia, but has a long history of being used as working dogs in England.
Description
Harrier Hounds is a speedy, hardy hunting hound with an excellent nose and great energy. This muscular hound has a short coat. Built with large bones for strength and stamina, the Harrier is slightly longer than tall. Their tail is medium in length and is carried high. They have a broad head with a strong square muzzle and a wide black nose. Their ears are rounded and their eyes are either brown or hazel. Their mouth consists of strong jaws with teeth that meet in a scissors or level bite.
| Size | Large |
| Colour | The Harrier Hounds come in a variety of colours such as lemon & white, red & white, or white & tan, and their back is sometimes all black |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Weight/Height Range | Ideally dogs measure between 48 - 53cms at the withers and weigh around 22 - 27kgs. Bitches measure beween 44 - 48cms at the withers and weigh around 18 - 23kgs. |
| Ailments | The Harrier Hound is generally a healthy breed with no serious genetic defects. However some can be prone to Hip dysplasia. Due to the Harrier Hounds having deep chests they can also be prone to bloat. Epilepsy is also occasionally found in some Harrier Hounds |
Feeding & Ownership
Harrier Hounds is not a picky eater and can be fed dry food once or twice a day. They do have a tendency to become overweight, so do watch the amount of food they are given. Due to the Harrier Hounds having deep chests they can also be prone to bloat
| Food Cost | $15 to $20 |
Personality
The Harrier Hound is a cheerful, sweet-tempered, and active dog, who loves putting their nose to the ground and exploring their surroundings. They are known to be a tolerant breed and are good with children and other dogs. Due to their hunting nature it is recommended that they are supervised with non-canine pets unless they have been socialised with other animals from puppy hood. Due to the Harrier Hounds having deep chests they can also be prone to bloat, it is recommended to feed two meals per day as it is safer than one large meal. This breed is not recommended for an inactive owner, they need a firm, confident, owner who is consistent with their dogs training.
| Intelligence | They are a very intelligent breed, they are very energetic and require frequent and consist training. It is important that you provide mental and physical exercise, to avoid separation anxiety. Due to their hunting instinct it is recommend to keep them on a lead when taking them for a walk as they have a tendency to follow a scent instead of you. |
| Energy | High |
| Suitability for Children | High |
| Tendency to Bark | High |
| Overall Exercise Requirement | The Harrier is a pleasant companion when it is sufficiently exercised; however if they do not get enough outdoor space to exercise, it may become a nuisance. Harriers will make an excellent jogging companion. The Harrier is a very energetic breed. It needs plenty of exercise |
| Suitability as a Guard Dog | Low |
| Ease of Transportation | Medium |
| Level of Aggression | Low Medium |
| Other Animal Compatibility | Medium |
Grooming
Because of the density of the coat, Goldens must be regularly groomed and trimmed. The undercoat, because of its water repellant nature, is extremely thick and must therefore not be allowed to matt, causing unnecessary suffering to the animal. The feathers on his front legs should be trimmed regularly as should the hair between his pads. The hair on the back legs up the hocks needs to be cut close and, again, the feathering under the tail should be trimmed. The tail should be trimmed in a crescent shape. The chest area should be kept relatively short in order to show off the length of neck. The top coat on the body only needs brushing and can be either flat or wavy. Whilst the length of the coat attracts water and mud, this is easily cleaned off once the coat has dried.
| Grooming Requirements | More than once a week |
| Amount of Hair Shed | Heavy |
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