Beagle-Harrier TOP 10 Interesting Facts

1) Separate breed
The Beagle Harrier is very often times mistaken for an oversized Beagle or pretty small Harrier. It is true, that they have very similar appearance and the main difference between all three breeds is their size, but the Beagle Harrier is a separated pure dog breed, that is officially recognized by many kennel clubs, including the FCI and it has its own breed standard, breeding stations and breed clubs.
2) Origin
The similarity with Beagles and Harriers is not just some lucky accident. It is very possible, that the Beagle Harrier was developed as a mixture of these two breeds, or as the midpoint in breeding between the two breeds. This happened in 19th century in France and the person who is credited for developing this breed is prominent french painter Baron Gerard. There is another theory, that says, that this is very old dog breed which is in existence since the late Middle Ages and whose ancestry is unclear.
3) Utilization
The main original utilization of this dog is of course hunting. When on the hunt, these dogs are very passionate for it and they show great intelligence and independence, strong prey drive, endurance, great sense of smell and great determination for the hunt. The Beagle Harrier often times hunt in packs and they typically do not have problems with other dogs. Overall, this is a very good scenthound.
4) Companion
Of course, the Beagle Harrier is not only a hunter, but also a very lively, friendly and affectionate companion dog. This breed typically creates a very strong bond with its family and they want to be part of your all daily activities. These dogs are also known to be very good with kids and other dogs and if socialized from the puppyhood, they can even live with other household pets like cats. But, it is still a hunting breed and i would not suggest to leave smaller household pets alone with the Beagle Harrier, as the dog might chase the other pet. It is just their natural instinct.
5) Not for everyone
Even though the Beagle Harrier is an affectionate and loving companion, it is still not a dog for everyone and it is not the best choice for novice dog owners. It is because even though this breed is very intelligent, they also have mind of their own and they are quite independent, which means, that they are not total pushovers to train. Independent breeds always need extra patient and consistent trainers to show good results in obedience training. This breed is also known to be pretty vocal, they have higher exercise needs and they have higher prey drive. All those traits can be little bit challenging for a novice or unexperienced owner. But with the right owner, who have time for the dog and who like long outdoor walks, this might be an excellent partner.
6) Size
As you already know, this dog looks like a large Beagle or a small Harrier and indeed, the size is just in between these two breeds with the average height between 45-50 cm, which is 18-20 inch and weight between 19-21 kg, which is 42-46 pounds. There are no extreme size differences between males and females.
7) Exercise
As you can probably imagine, these dogs are very lively and they have rather higher exercise needs. The Beagle Harrier definitely needs daily longer outdoor walks accompanied with some vigorous playtime and fun training sessions with a lot of rewards. Without enough exercise, these dogs can develop some unwanted behaviour, such as excessive barking or digging. If you want to have healthy and happy Beagle Harrier in your home, than regular exercise is absolutely essential.
8) Coat
The Beagle Harrier comes in the great looking tricolor, which is fawn with black blanket and white. They can also be little bit grey. The coat is practical for the hunt and it is very thick, relatively short, but not too short.
9) Maintenance
Speaking of the coat, it is important to mention the maintenance and grooming as well and luckily, it is not a hard task with this breed. These dogs do shed, so regular brushing is beneficial to remove the dead and loose hair and minimize the shedding. Regular brushing will also remove any dirt from the coat and keep the coat in best possible condition. No other grooming is required. Just like with all dogs, you should regularly check the dogs ears, eyes, nails and teeth and clip them or clean them if needed.
10) Health
This is relatively healthy dog breed with good lifespan around 13 years. These dogs are probne to some joint and bone problems, such as hip and elbow dysplasia and intervertebral disc disease. Other health issues may include patellar luxation, some eye problems or some allergies.