The Harrier is a breed of scenthound that originated in England. They were bred, as their name suggests, primarily for hare, although they have also been used to hunt fox.


Harriers are medium sized dogs that stand at 18-22 inches and weighs in at 48-60 pounds. They have medium length ears that are low set with rounded tips. Their tails are left long and set high. Harriers have a short, fine coat that can be any color.

Although the ancestry of the Harrier is greatly debated it is generally agreed upon to be an ancient breed of scenthound. The oldest documented pack of Harriers is the Penistone pack, which existed in 1260 in southwest England. Some have suggested that it is an even older breed. The Greek historian Xenophon wrote of Greek hounds that sound much like today’s breed. It is possible that this hound may have been brought to Britain by the Romans. The most popular theory is that they are simply a bred down version of the English Foxhound, but this can be easily discredited, as the Foxhound only dates back to the 1400s and would not have existed at the time of the Penistone pack. Other suggestions include various crosses and combinations with Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, Fox Terriers, Greyhounds, the extinct Talbot Hound and/or Beagles. The most likely candidates are the Bloodhound, Beagle or Talbot, as they are the only breeds that are old enough to possibly predate the breed, it could be that the Harrier and Beagle simply came from the same root stock of the Greek hound mentioned above. Regardless of its ancestry, it is known that English Foxhound would be added in 1825 to increase their speed, but also to strengthen the bloodline as a serious decline in Harrier numbers had occurred. This decline was only increased by both World Wars, but the line now remains stable.



The Harrier is a good natured dog that bonds well with his owners. He gets along well with children and other dogs due to their background living in packs. Due to their strong hunting instincts they are not recommended in homes with non-canine pets. This is a breed that loves to give chase and must not be let off leash unless they are in an enclosed, safe area. Harriers are active dogs and do best with a family with an active lifestyle.
The average lifespan of a Harrier is 11-12 years. They are prone to hip dysplasia and epilepsy.

This breed is not recommended for apartment life. They need room to run and thrive in the country, although they can adapt to a city life as long as they have a yard and regular exercise.

The coat of a Harrier only needs an occasional brushing to remove dead hair. They are average shedders.