What is a Harrier?

Harriers are very unique canine characters. While Harriers are extremely attractive hounds, you cannot consider adding a Harrier to your family based on looks alone. Behind those soft brown eyes and sweet face is a very intelligent, independent, and self-willed scenthound. If you’ve never met a Harrier in person, we strongly recommend that you try to do so. Please contact breeder referral, and we can try to find one in your area. This might be challenging as there are few breeders; you might find yourself on a waiting list to get a Harrier. We’ll try to present the pros and cons of having a Harrier in your life.

Like any breed, Harriers have characteristics and traits that owners have to be prepared to deal with. While most of these are issues that can be handled using appropriate and consistent training methods, new owners should be aware of them in advance so that you can decide if these are things you can live with. You have to understand a Harrier’s distinct characteristics and accept them… not try to change them. Anyone who gets a Harrier expecting to be able to train it not to wander away from an unfenced yard or not to follow its nose is going to be very disappointed and frustrated. And their Harrier will be unhappy and frustrated as well; they deserve to be appreciated for what they are, not criticized for what they are not.

Harriers are very social and people-oriented. They are not happy in the yard by themselves 24 hours a day. If your hound will be alone for most of the day while you are at work, consider getting another dog, or even a cat, for your Harrier to play with; they’ll be much happier than being alone and less likely to get bored and destructive. (A bored Harrier can be a destructive Harrier.) Harriers want to be part of the family and like to spend quality time with you. They like to play games with you, be on your lap when you watch TV, and in your room—preferably in your bed—when you sleep.

Harriers have been bred for centuries to follow their noses over long distances. This is instinctive behavior for them—and it may get them into lots of trouble. Many of the Harriers being bred today in the United States have parents or grandparents that were imported directly from working packs in the United Kingdom, so the hunting instinct is still VERY strong in the breed.

Harriers absolutely need to have a securely fenced yard. The fence needs to be secure at the top and the bottom. Many Harrier owners line their fence with chicken wire—to prevent digging out—or add an electric wire to zap them if they get near the fence. Underground fences or invisible fences don’t generally work well with Harriers. If your Harriers get loose and they catch a good scent, their nose will hit the ground, and they will go off to follow it. Without proper training, they won’t come back no matter how loud you yell, “Come!” It’s not that they don’t love you or want to run away or that they are being purposefully disobedient… they are just following their instincts. And unfortunately, there are far too many dangers out there, such as cars and other dogs or poisons such as slug or rat bait, that will kill your dog. We humans need to make sure that they are safely contained so that their noses don’t get them into a dangerous situation.

Harriers, like all dogs, need obedience training/house manners started early. Harriers are very intelligent and can be trained quite easily. Although few Harriers compete in obedience, they are certainly capable if you wish to devote the time and energy to training. They have wonderful problem-solving abilities.

Harriers adore food. Most of them will eat as much as you want to give them, so controlling their intake is important to keep a Harrier healthy. A fat Harrier is not only unhealthy but also unattractive. You will need to steel yourself against those pleading eyes because a Harrier will try to convince you that he/she is “always” hungry! If you want to be able to leave food on a table or countertop, you will have to teach your Harrier not to touch it.

Harriers can be talkative. They have a very distinctive singing voice and use it when they are excited. How much your Harrier talks depends on him/her and, more importantly, the owner. Harriers can be taught to be quiet. Sometimes it is helpful to teach a Harrier when it is appropriate to make noise, to allow them an outlet.

Some Harriers like to dig. A few dig for the sheer joy of it. Some dig after moles or other below-ground critters, and many will dig out of boredom. You need to train them not to dig or provide them with a place to dig (a sandbox or designated area in the yard) and train them to use that. However, if you put an under-exercised, ignored Harrier in your carefully landscaped yard, expect them to re-landscape to their taste.

The post What is a Harrier? appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Horsemen have long lived by the old adage, “No hoof, no horse.” This basically means that the horse is built from the ground up, and without sound, strong, healthy hooves as the foundation, your horse is useless.

The same most certainly holds true with working hounds. A Harrier is also built from the ground up, and strong, tight, thickly padded feet made for miles of sometimes punishing terrain is a prerequisite.

While the breeder has the responsibility for actively breeding correct, tough, well-structured feet, owners are responsible for maintaining their hound’s feet in good, healthy condition through routine maintenance and care such as regular nail trimming.

But certain environmental conditions will also require additional foot care. For most people, this means winter, with the cold, ice, and snow that can injure feet. The dryness of winter can sometimes lead to cracking of the pads, and walking or running on some types of snow or ice can actually slice the pads. Extra care and vigilance really need to be taken by owners in these conditions, as Harriers probably won’t stop their activity simply because their feet are hurting—that’s not their nature. They’ll keep going on three legs just fine! So, it’s up to the owners to use common sense and keep their hounds from injuring themselves this way.

Another hazard of winter, depending on your location, can be the salt or chemicals put down on sidewalks to melt the snow and ice. Your hounds can pick up quite a bit of chemicals on their feet that also splashes up under their bellies from their own footfall. The danger of these chemicals is two-fold. One, they can damage the pads and skin directly if left on too long. And two, they can poison the hound if they are allowed to groom themselves and lick off the offending salt and chemicals. So, be very sure to put your hound in the bathtub right away after a walk in the city, and soak the feet clean of the salts as well as rinsing the legs, belly, and coat of any splashed-up chemicals.

Summer poses its own risks, especially if the owners run, jog, or bike with their hounds. People have thick, sturdy running shoes to protect their feet from hot pavement and baking asphalt, but hounds are not so lucky. They count on the intelligence of their owners to realize that the surface they run on might be very painful or damaging to their feet—and to choose an alternative such as exercising in the cool mornings or on grass at the park instead of on streets or sidewalks.

A foot hazard that our hounds personally encounter when hunting are cactus spines. We have a particularly nasty type of cholla cactus locally; they reproduce by dropping off golf ball-sized chunks of spines that blow away from the parent plant. While our hounds avoid running directly into the cactus itself, they cannot avoid picking up these nasty spine chunks in their feet. We carry needle-nosed pliers for removal when a hound comes limping up to us, saying, “Fix it, mom!” After the hounds are back home, we then spend time carefully checking between the pads of their feet, looking for stray spines that might have been missed initially. So, please remember to pay attention to your hound’s feet! No foot, no hound!

The post The Harrier: No Foot, No Hound appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

The origins of the Harrier dog breed are subject to significantly different accounts in the sources. One claims that the early Harrier breeds were a result of crossbreeding between Bloodhounds, Talbot Hounds, and possibly Basset Hounds.

Another source claims that the breed was most likely created through crosses between the English Foxhound, Fox Terrier, and Greyhound. Another sees the Harrier as little more than an English Foxhound that has been bred down.

Harrier Dog Breed’s History With Kennel Clubs and Organizations

Among major dog show organizations, Harrier dogs are registered with the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), and United Kennel Club (UKC). A few small groups like the Scottish Kennel Club (SKC) and American Rabbit Hound Association (ARHA) also register Harrier dogs.

For the past several years, the Kennel Club in the Harrier’s primary country (UK) did not recognize Harriers. They did, however, recognize Harriers from 1851-1971 and they have recently decided to recognize them again. Prior to this past year, the last known Harriers to be shown at a Kennel Club show or entered in their studbook occurred in 1915.

In England, Harriers were owned only by hunting organizations. They are registered with the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles (AMHB). Generally, Harrier dogs must be “entered” into a pack, hunting with them for a season, to be registered with the AMHB.

History of the Harrier Dog Breed and the AMHB

Harrier dog breed has a long history in England, with detailed records of individual packs existing from 1260 to the present. In March of 1891, the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles (AMHB) was formed and published a Stud Book. Harriers were at that time much more popular than Beagles. The 1891-1900 Volumes list 107 registered packs of Harriers. They also began to run the Peterborough Harrier and Beagle Show in 1892. Records of Peterborough Shows and photos of the winners are published annually in the Stud Book.

The foundation stock for the 1891 edition was admitted based on individual pack records or by committee. Hounds continued to be added by the committee for several years. Harriers can also be registered in the appendix of their studbook if only one parent is registered. Offspring of appendix hounds appear in the regular studbook.

Many of these “foundation” Harriers were, in fact, small Foxhounds with parents from recognized Foxhound kennels. Some of these foundation Harriers appear in top-winning Beagle pedigrees, so “Harrier” often defines type of hunting and size of hound rather than pedigree in AMHB packs. The practice of breeding to Foxhounds still occurs in England and is reflected in the pedigrees that follow later in this Volume.

Early US Harriers

Several sources mention “colonial” imports of Harriers. The first specific reference I can find is from the first entry of the Craven pack in the first AMHB Studbook. The Craven history mentions Harriers being shipped to America in the 18th Century. (Unfortunately, they did not specify where.) Several organized packs of Harriers hunting in the English style were established early in this century. Some were recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America and at least two joined the AMHB in England. Many Harriers still hunt in various styles in this country, but the days of large packs with mounted riders appear to be over.

Are you looking for a Harrier Dog puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a Harrier Dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing here.

Harrier Dog Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the Harrier scenthounds, with articles and information in our Harrier Dog Breed Magazine.

The post The History of the Harrier Dog Breed appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Harrier dogs are very unique canine characters. While Harriers are extremely attractive hounds, you cannot consider adding Harrier dog breed to your family based on looks alone. Behind those soft brown eyes and sweet face is a very intelligent, independent, and self-willed scenthound.

If you’ve never met a Harrier dog in person, we strongly recommend that you try to do so. Please contact breeder referral, and we can try to find one in your area. This might be challenging as there are few breeders; you might find yourself on a waiting list to get a Harrier. We’ll try to present the pros and cons of having a Harrier in your life.

Behind those soft brown eyes and sweet face is a very intelligent, independent, and self-willed scenthound.

Harrier Dog Breed – Characteristics and Traits

Like any breed, Harriers have characteristics and traits about them that owners have to be prepared to deal with. While most of these are issues that can be handled using appropriate and consistent training methods, new owners should be aware of them in advance so that you can decide if these are things you can live with. You have to understand a Harrier’s distinct characteristics and accept them, not try to change them.

Anyone who gets a Harrier dog expecting to be able to train it not to wander away from an unfenced yard or not to follow its nose as a scenthound, is going to be very disappointed and frustrated. And their Harrier will be unhappy and frustrated as well; they deserve to be appreciated for what they are, not criticized for what they are not.

Some of the characteristics and traits of the Harrier Dogs:

• Social & people-oriented
• Affectionate with family
• Good with young children
• Friendly toward strangers
• Good with other dogs
• Relatively easy to train
• Playful
• Highly vocal
• Short coat
• Energetic
• Adaptable
• Active

Social and People-oriented

Harrier dog breed is very social and people-oriented. They are not happy in the yard by themselves 24 hours a day. If your hound will be alone for most of the day while you are at work, consider getting another dog, or even a cat, for your Harrier dog to play with; they’ll be much happier than being alone and less likely to get bored and destructive. (A bored Harrier can be a destructive Harrier.) Harriers want to be part of the family and like to spend quality time with you. They like to play games with you, be on your lap when you watch tv, and in your room—preferably in your bed—when you sleep.

Purpose of the Harrier Dog Breed Through History

Harrier dogs have been bred for centuries to follow their noses over long distances. This is an instinctive behavior for them—and it may get them into lots of trouble. Many of the Harriers being bred today in the United States have parents or grandparents that were imported directly from working packs in the United Kingdom, so the hunting instinct is still very strong in the breed.

True Scenthounds

Harrier dog breed absolutely needs to have a securely fenced yard. The fence needs to be secure at the top and the bottom. Many Harrier owners line their fence with chicken wire—to prevent digging out—or add an electric wire to zap them if they get near the fence. Underground fences or invisible fences don’t generally work well with Harriers.

It’s not that they don’t love you and want to run away or that they are being purposefully disobedient, they are just following their instincts as scenthounds.

If your Harrier dogs get loose and they catch a good scent, their nose will hit the ground and they will go off to follow it. Without proper training, they won’t come back no matter how loud you yell, “Come!” It’s not that they don’t love you and want to run away or that they are being purposefully disobedient, they are just following their instincts as scenthounds. And unfortunately, there are far too many dangers out there such as cars and other dogs or poisons such as slug or rat bait that will kill your dog. We humans need to make sure that they are safely contained so that their noses don’t get them into a dangerous situation.

Training Harrier Dogs

Harriers, like all dogs, need obedience training/house manners started early. Harriers are very intelligent and can be trained quite easily. Although few Harriers compete in obedience, they are certainly capable if you wish to devote the time and energy into training. They have wonderful
problem-solving abilities.

Harriers can be talkative. They have a very distinctive singing voice and use it when they are excited. How much your Harrier talks depends on him/her and, more importantly, the owner. Harriers can be taught to be quiet. Sometimes it is helpful to teach a Harrier when it is appropriate to make noise, to allow them an outlet.

Some Harrier dogs like to dig. A few dig for the sheer joy of it. Some dig after moles or other below ground critters, and many will dig out of boredom. You need to train them not to dig or provide them with a place to dig (a sandbox or designated area in the yard) and train them to use that. However, if you put an under-exercised, ignored Harrier in your carefully landscaped yard, expect them to re-landscape to their taste.

Harrier’s Nutrition

Harrier dogs adore food. Most of them will eat as much as you want to give them, so controlling their intake is important to keep a Harrier healthy. A fat Harrier is not only unhealthy, but also unattractive. You will need to steel yourself against those pleading eyes because a Harrier will try to convince you that he/she is “always” hungry! If you want to be able to leave food on a table or countertop, you will have to teach your Harrier not to touch it.

Photo credit: American Kennel Club – AKC.ORG

Are you looking for a Harrier Dog puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a Harrier Dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing here.

Harrier Dog Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the Harrier scenthounds, with articles and information in our Harrier Dog Breed Magazine.

The post Harrier Dog Breed – Characteristics and Traits appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Interview with Hound Group Breeder Sheila Allen – Sheez-Beez Kennel Smooth Fox Terriers & Harriers

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Sheila Allen: I currently live in Snohomish, Washington, but will be in Forest City, North Carolina, by July. I got my first purebred, a Pekingese, at age ten, but I really started in dogs in 1972 with German Shepherd Dogs; so officially, 50 years! I bred my first GSD litter in 1974.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Sheila Allen: My kennel name is Sheez-Beez and I currently have 13 dogs residing here.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Sheila Allen: In Hounds, my first notable winner was GCH Sakura Bluhils Way Too Easy. “Jazzy” was a National Specialty winner and my first Harrier!

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Sheila Allen: My old Harrier, “Quest,” has produced three champions and a National winner in his daughter, “Rose,” owned and bred by Margie Dykstra.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Sheila Allen: All of our puppies are whelped in the house and raised there. We use many enrichments as they develop, with favorites being tunnels, Cato Boards, Wobble Boards, and many different stimuli.

What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions?

Sheila Allen: I observe puppies as they grow, watching movement and temperaments as they develop. I start stacking, with photos, at 5 weeks when I generally have a rough idea, and then final evaluations take place at 8 weeks.

How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? Does my breed require any special preparation?

Sheila Allen: Teaching standing still, having teeth looked at regularly, and doing nails often helps puppies to become used to being handled. Trips to vet offices and other safe places to be examined by others also helps. Harriers are pretty much a wash & wear dog. Regular bathing and showing a totally clean Hound is a must, as we use NO products like chalk in our kennel.

Can I share my thoughts on how my breed is currently presented in the show ring?

Sheila Allen: Our breed appears to be in good hands, and several are currently being co-owned with handlers. The others being shown are doing very well in the Owner-Handled Groups.

Are there any health-related concerns within my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Sheila Allen: Luckily, our Harriers are generally healthy. We do the normal hips, eyes, and DNA testing, but being a low-entry breed they are mostly only bred by true preservation breeders.

In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?

Sheila Allen: Harriers are generally in good shape as a breed. I do see some loaded shoulders, rears are sometimes too straight, and toplines are not as level as one might like—but overall, what is in the ring is worthy!

Is my breed well-suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Sheila Allen: Harriers are remarkably biddable, sweet, kind, and loving. They are marvelous family dogs and are terrific with children. Being an independent, free-thinking breed, they need to be kept busy and have adequate exercise. And, of course, a fenced yard is needed as they are scenthounds.

Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Sheila Allen: Actually, the number of breeders has diminished. This is very sad and has further limited our gene pool. Imports from the UK and Australia have added some fresh blood, but here in the US more truly passionate breeders would be an asset to the breed as a whole.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Hound?

Sheila Allen: Amusing was taking a young Mr. Quest to Canada and getting soaked to the skin while attempting to relieve himself. Scenthounds often take forever for this task—be prepared!

The post Sheez-Beez Kennels – Smooth Fox Terriers & Harriers | Sheila Allen appeared first on Showsight Magazine.