Harrier

Guides for your Harrier

The story behind the Harrier

Harriers come from England, where packs of medium-sized hounds hunting hare are recorded from the medieval period onward, though the modern breed's shape was settled far later. Early hare-hunting packs varied by county and were bred to be followed on foot, which favoured a hound that worked steadily rather than at foxhound pace. Across the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries English masters refined these packs, and infusions from foxhound stock are generally accepted as part of the mix, producing the compact, level-topped hound recognised today. The breed reached North America early and was kept for hunting rather than show. Numbers remain low: Harriers are still bred mainly by pack kennels and a small circle of enthusiasts, and they are among the less commonly registered hounds in both the United States and Britain.

Originally bred for: Hare hunting, Pack scenthound, Foot-follow hunting. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Harrier

A moderately active adult thrives on a balanced complete food carrying solid animal protein, split across two servings. Harriers hunt out food relentlessly, so measured portions and secured bins matter, and lean condition protects joints in a hound built to run for hours.

Watch for: No sensitivity pattern is strongly tied to Harriers. As with other deep-chested, greedy hounds, gulped meals and scavenged scraps cause more trouble than ingredients do, though occasional dogs react to a specific protein. Any diet change should be gradual and discussed with a vet.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Harrier

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.