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Harrier
Hound
| Group: |
Hound |
 |
| Size: |
large |
| Lifespan: |
10-12 years |
| Exercise: |
high |
| Grooming: |
very low |
| Trainability: |
low |
| Watchdog ability: |
very high |
| Protection ability: |
very low |
| Area of Origin: |
England |
| Date of Origin: |
Middle ages |
| Other Names: |
none |
| Original Function: |
trailing hares |
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| History |
| The
Harrier is a very old hound, originating in Great Britain in
the 1200's. It is descended from the larger Foxhound, the Greyhound,
and the Fox Terrier. It was used to hunt hares as its name implies,
and worked best in packs, while the hunter followed on foot.
This tireless hunter has an acute sense of smell, and once on
the scent of its prey, can generally outlast the prey. |
| |
| Temperament |
| The
Harrier is somewhat more playful and outgoing than the Foxhound,
but not as much as the Beagle. Cheerful, sweet-tempered, and
tolerant, it is excellent with children. This pack dog is good
with other dogs, but should be supervised with non-canine pets
– unless it is raised with them from puppyhood. It prefers
life in a pack with people, dogs, or both. This active dog likes
to go exploring, sniffing and trailing, so be sure to keep it
on a leash or in a safe enclosed area. Some Harriers like to
bay. |
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| Upkeep |
| The
Harrier needs daily exercise, but its needs can be met with
a long walk or jog and a vigorous game in the yard. It can live
outdoors in temperate climates as long as it is given warm shelter
and bedding. The coat is easily cared for, needing only occasional
brushing to remove dead hair. |
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Official Breed Standard |
CHARACTERISTICS:
An active, well balanced, well muscled and
well boned hound, full of strength and quality. Fearless, though
of a kindly nature in or out of the pack.
Head:
Broad skull with plenty of brain room. Stop slightly pronounced
with a straight and powerful muzzle. Nose wide with open nostrils.
An expression of great alertness, a little wicked at times. Head
must be well set up on a neck of ample length, clean cut and strong.
Ears:
Set high, lying close to the cheek and broad.
Legs:
Forelegs straight with plenty of bone running right down to the
toes but not overburdened but inclined to knuckle over slightly
without exaggeration. Toes turned slightly inwards.
Feet:
Cat-like with close-knit toes and strong pads. A hound must stand
right up on his toes.
Hindlegs:
Legs and hocks stand square with a good bend of stifle and muscular
thigh to take the weight off his body. Hocks well let down.
Elbows:
Points set well away from the ribs, running parallel to the body
and turning neither in nor out.
Body:
The back should be level and muscular, slightly dipping behind the
withers and not arching over the loins. Deep, well-sprung ribs,
running well back with plenty of heart room and a deep chest.
Stern:
Well set up, long and well controlled and rising higher than the
back.
Coat:
Short, dense, hard and glossy. Hair on the chest and under-side
of the flag longer than body length.
Colour:
Any hound colour.
Height:
45.7 - 53.3 cm (18 - 21 in), 48.2 cm (19 in) being the ideal.
Notes:
The true modern Harrier is now divorced from inter-breeding of
the Fox Hound and Beagle and is bred in its own right. Though the
Standard has not been acknowledged by the Kennel Club (England)
it has been in other countries. Also the Harrier is exhibited each
year at the great Peterborough Hound Show in its own group.
The old idea of points making the Harrier a similar but smaller
Fox Hound is not now recognised to the full extent by Harrier packs;
he is now an individual and has developed a type of his own.
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum.
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