Beagle Harrier

Beagle Harrier

The Beagle-Harrier is a breed of hunting scent hound. It originated in France over a century ago and is rarely seen outside of the Republic. The Beagle-Harrier has the appearance of both a large Beagle and small Harrier, and is thought to be directly descended from both. This is a dog of medium proportions with an intelligent expression and distinguished movement.  

Key facts about the Beagle Harrier

Life expectancy :

5

17

10

12

Temperament :

Affectionate Playful Intelligent Hunter

Size :

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Origins and history

The Beagle and the Harrier are ancient breeds. As individual breeds, both lineages date back to the Middle Ages. It is believed the Beagle-Harrier came about in the late 1800s when some of the French nobility demanded a hunting dog with the physique of the Harrier and the hunting ability of the Beagle. 

FCI breed nomenclature

FCI Group

Group 6 - Scent hounds and related breeds

Section

Section 1 : Scent hounds

Physical characteristics of the Beagle Harrier

  • Beagle Harrier
    Beagle Harrier
  • Beagle Harrier
    Beagle Harrier
  • Beagle Harrier
    Beagle Harrier

    Adult size

    Female : Between 18 and 20 in

    Male : Between 18 and 20 in

    Weight

    Female : Between 40 and 44 lb

    Male : Between 40 and 44 lb

    Coat colour

    Type of coat

    Eye colour

    Brown

    Description

    A well-proportioned and muscular dog is the Beagle-Harrier, which are physical attributes more common to the Harrier than the Beagle. Its head is long and slim, and its muzzle tends to be tapered towards the nose. Ears are short and fairly broad hanging flat against the cheek.

    Good to know

    Early socialisation of the Beagle-Harrier will dampen the dog’s natural instinct to chase and kill smaller animals. However, even socialisation and training cannot eradicate the instinct of what is essentially a pack hunter. To have other non-canines sharing the house with a Beagle-Harrier will not do. 

    Temperament

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      Affectionate

      A loving, loyal and affectionate dog is the Beagle-Harrier, despite its hunting heritage. The well-adjusted dog does not tend to be aggressive. 

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      Playful

      A dog that is playful but very easily distracted; the Beagle-Harrier will bore easily. 

    • 66%

      Calm

      Beagle-Harriers are not the calmest of dogs. However, they can be made less anxious and lonely if brought up with another dog of the same breed. 

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      Intelligent

      This dog is intelligent but it easily loses focus; sounds, scents and noises are all of extreme interest to the Beagle-Harrier. 

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      Hunter

      The Beagle-Harrier was originally bred to hunt. It has an exceptionally high prey drive. 

    • 33%

      Fearful / wary of strangers

      The Beagle-Harrier enjoys meeting new people. Household visitors need have no concerns about meeting this dog for the first time. 

    • 33%

      Independent

      The Beagle-Harrier is independent. Although it easily learns commands, the dog tends to decide from day to day whether or not its owner should be obeyed.

      Behaviour of the Beagle Harrier

      • 33%

        Tolerates solitude

        This dog tolerates some short periods of solitude. 

      • 66%

        Easy to train / obedience

        Beagle-Harriers are notoriously difficult to train due to their having a short attention span. They are tempted back to class with treats but they will only endure so much tuition before slinking off again to chase scents. 

      • 66%

        Barking

        This dog barks to excess; it may also howl. It is not seen to tire of barking

      • 100%

        Tendency to run away

        A well-trained Beagle-Harrier can be recalled but on the whole it will not come back if its focus is elsewhere.

      • 66%

        Destructive

        The Beagle-Harrier can be exceptionally destructive if left on its own for long periods of time.

      • 66%

        Greedy / Gluttony

        Beagle-Harriers are gluttons. They will overeat if given the opportunity to do so. Stick to two meals a day of high-quality dog food formulated for an active body.

      • 33%

        Guard dog

        This dog is a worthwhile watchdog; it will alert you to there being someone near the house and will bark. It is not an aggressive dog however. 

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        First dog

        The Beagle-Harrier is a suitable first dog due to its being affectionate and loyal. It should be remembered though that the dog’s need of mental and physical exercise is quite high. Care should be taken to learn more about the breed before buying a dog

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        Lifestyle

        • 66%

          Beagle Harrier in a flat

          This dog should not be kept in a flat. A well-fenced shared garden is also an insufficient provision. 

        • 100%

          Need for exercise / Sporty

          The Beagle-Harrier needs a lot of exercise throughout the day; exercise must be vigorous and prolonged. 

        • 66%

          Travelling / easy to transport

          The Beagle-Harrier is comfortable with new experiences and is easy to transport

          Compatibility

          • 66%

            Beagle Harrier and cats

            The Beagle-Harrier cannot be trusted with a non-canine pet. Its desire to chase and catch smaller animals is evident. 

          • 100%

            Beagle Harrier and dogs

            This dog would do well to be kept with at least one other Beagle-Harrier. That being said, it tends to get along with dogs of other breeds.  

          • 100%

            Beagle Harrier and children

            On the whole this breed is good with children; playful and patient. 

          • 33%

            Beagle Harrier and the elderly

            Because it is a dog that requires such a lot of exercise, the Beagle-Harrier is not the right dog for people of senior years. 

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            Price

            Buying a purebred puppy could cost anywhere from £400 to £1,000. Cost of care will be £100 to £130 per month on average.

            Grooming

            Brush the Beagle-Harrier once or twice a week with a hound mitten. Bathe the dog only when absolutely necessary.

            Shedding

            The Beagle-Harrier sheds moderately throughout the year.

            Nutrition of the Beagle Harrier

            Feed the Beagle-Harrier a high-quality dog food specially formulated for energetic dogs. 

            Health of the Beagle Harrier

            Life expectancy

            The Beagle-Harrier is generally healthy and robust. It's life expectancy is 12 to 13 years.

            Strong / robust

            This is an active and courageous dog. It needs vigorous exercise to stay happy and healthy.

            Withstand heat

            The short coat of the Beagle-Harrier allows it to be tolerant of hot temperatures.

            Withstand cold

            The Beagle-Harrier is robust enough to withstand walks in bad weather but care should be taken after cold walks to thoroughly dry out the dog’s coat.

            Tendency to put on weight

            Weight gain is a feature of a poorly-exercised Beagle-Harrier. This dog will quickly become obese if not cared for responsibly. 

            Common illnesses

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