Harrier

The Harrier dog breed is a member of the scenthound family. Most likely, its origins are from Great Britain. The term "Harrier" at one time was a general reference to all hounds, which is why it is so difficult to research the exact history of today's Harrier dog. Dog historians theorize that this dog may in fact be one of the oldest of scent hounds that are still in existence today.

References to the Harrier dog breed date back to the 13th century in England. It is quite possible that the breed has ancestry that connects with the Talbot dog (now extinct), the St. Hubert hounds, the Brachet dogs, and eventually the French Basset.

All of these breeds combined produced a dog that had a keen ability to track hare with its strong sense of scent and at a pace slow enough that enabled hunters to keep up with them on foot. In the past, most Harrier packs were owned and used by the gentry. However, hunters that were poor and did not have horses could also hunt alongside Harriers. The Harrier breed has been recognized in the United States since back to the colonial times.

If you have the opportunity to own a Harrier dog as a house pet then you have already seen just how playful and outgoing its personality can be. This dog is much more sociable than its counterpart, the Foxhound, but not quite as extroverted as the Beagle is. Harrier dogs are excellent with children, amiable, and make outstanding watchdogs. They are most happy when able to run free outdoors in a safe area sniffing and hunting.

Read more about the Harrier.