Beagles and harriers are both very similar dogs who belong to the hound group. Both of these dogs were bred for hunting, and have very keen senses of both smell and sight. They are also fairly similar in their physical characteristics, which is why many people often confuse the two.

While they do look alike, there are a few key main differences between beagles and harriers, including size, temperament, lifespan, and associated health risks. The biggest difference between beagles and harriers is their size, as harriers are bigger in both height and weight. This difference in size contributes to other attributes, and can play a factor in whether or not you may consider adopting either of the breeds as a pet.

In this article, I’ll go in depth on each of these breeds, explain exactly what makes them different from one another, and weigh their pros and cons for anyone debating whether to get a beagle or a harrier for their family.

Breeding and Background

While the origin of beagles isn’t known, they were first recorded as a breed in the 11th century. As time went on, England bred them into what we recognize today in the 16th and 17th centuries. They are often referred to as being one of the oldest breeds of dog.

Originally, they were bred to hunt small hare and rabbits, but were later used for larger game such as foxes. Their keen sense of smell and sight was what made them successful hunters.

The beagle is one of several hound dog breeds that are known for their small size, and it is still one of the smallest breeds of hound dog on record today.

As breeding continued into the 20th century, beagles with smoother, softer coats were bred into dominance over the rougher, shaggier coat of their hunting predecessors. As beagles became more popular across the United States and entered into the American Kennel Club, they became more revered as a popular family dog.

Harriers make up a specific group of hounds, which have been around since the 13th century in England. They stayed in England for a long time before being brought to North America during the 18th and 19th centuries.

They were originally bred to hunt rabbits and foxes like beagles, but also due to their larger stature, they also make great hunters of deer.

They are believed to have been first bred from the English foxhound, originally bred to be slightly smaller as a specialty breed for hunting hares (hence, where the name harrier comes from).

However as other smaller breeds of hounds like beagles and dachshunds came into popularity, harriers were refined into a stronger, sturdier type of hunting dog that can specialize in a variety of prey.

As with beagles, their use as hunters has diminished over time, but many people still enjoy the gentle nature of the harrier. Due to their size and sturdiness, they are often used for around-the-house work rather than just as hunting dogs.

Cost and Availability

Beagles and harriers are two of the most popular breeds of dog available today, but fortunately they still aren’t too expensive to adopt or rescue. The cost of a purebred beagle (registered, from a breeder) can range from $450-$600.

However, due to their popularity, you can also find beagles at any reputable shelter or rescue for a smaller adoption fee. There are some cases where prized breeders can charge much higher, I’ve personally seen beagles from prized lineages priced between $2,000 and $3,000!

Harriers can be more expensive compared to beagles because they are considered to be bigger dogs without the same popularity (nor as much demand on the market). A purebred harrier puppy can cost anywhere from $700-$1200.

According to Adopt A Pet, cost of adoption for harriers is estimated to be around $300, much cheaper than going through a breeder directly.

Ultimately, the cost of beagles and harriers will also depend on your local area, and how far you’re willing to travel to source one for adoption, rescue, or purchase from a breeder.

Lifespan

While both breeds have a longer lifespan than average dogs (over 10 years), beagles tend to live longer than harriers.

On average, beagles live anywhere between 12 up to 15 years, while harriers tend to live between 10 to 12 years. This is due to a few reasons, but namely because smaller dog breeds like beagles just naturally have better longevity than larger dogs.

Keep in mind that beagles and harriers also have different dietary needs, giving them a bit of an edge over other breeds.

Beagles tend to be more prone to suffer from certain health issues related to their diet like bloating and increased risk of heart disease, while harriers are unlikely to suffer from the same issues.

Beagles and harriers also tend to live a bit longer because they are more active than many other dog breeds with more sedentary lifestyles.

Another reason that harriers don’t live as long is because they suffer from more health issues related to their size. While this isn’t always the case, beagles are generally healthier and live longer than larger dogs. I’ll go in-depth on the health risks associated with each of these breeds later in this article.

Temperament

Beagles and harriers are both very social dogs who love to have friends around them (including humans). This is why they are some of the most popular breeds of dog. The bond that both breeds share with their family is one of the strongest you’ll see with any breed.

It is because of this strong connection that beagles and harriers are extremely loyal dogs, which makes them great pets to have around the house. However, this trait also means they can be a bit more difficult to train if they don’t want to learn something.

Although both take training well, beagles are known to have some difficulty learning from their owners when compared to harriers, as they are a naturally stubborn breed.

Additionally, beagles tend to be more prone to experience separation anxiety. As with any dog, this is a problem that can be treated and managed.

Separation anxiety is more common in beagles, despite the fact that both beagles and harriers were bred to be pack dogs.

Separation anxiety in dogs has some clear signs, including:

• Increased activity
• Running around the house or yard
• Howling and whining
• Barking and/or yelping
• Excessive chewing and biting
• Getting into other kinds of trouble, like escaping or more destructive behavior

While these behaviors can be very annoying, they can also be channeled into positive attributes. For example, beagles make very good guard dogs. It all depends on their behavioral training.

Harriers tend to be more docile and easygoing. While they’re very active and require a lot of exercise, they are also very mellow emotionally and friendly, making them great pets for families with young children.

They’re also highly intelligent, and easy to train when compared with other breeds. Their size can also make them very useful for physical activity and moving around items, making them a great choice for work or training.

Appearance

Beagles and harriers are very similar in appearance, but their size is the most noticeable difference. Beagles are much smaller in stature, with smaller heads and a shorter nose than harriers.

Harriers take more after the greyhound (as they were bred partially from them), with a longer body and face, while being larger overall.

The height of beagles is usually around 13 – 16 inches tall, and they can weigh anywhere between 20-22 pounds. Harriers are much taller, coming in at 19 to 21 inches tall, and weighing between 45 and 60 pounds.

Obviously the weight makes the biggest difference when choosing between the two, as they’re over double a beagle’s weight in most cases.

Both beagles and harriers tend to have short haired coats, but beagles often have more variety in the colors of their fur. Beagles also tend to have their fur colors change more drastically over the period of their lives.

Harriers, like beagles come in the classic ‘tri-color’ coat of brown, white and black, but some beagles can have more yellowish and blueish features.

Harriers are also known for having a bit of longer fur than beagles, but not by much. However depending on the breed, harriers can be a little more likely to shed frequently compared to beagles.

Because beagles are smaller than harriers, they also tend to be better pets for those living in apartments.

While both breeds still require a lot of free space and regular amounts of exercise, beagles can be suitable for apartment living as long as they aren’t stuck inside alone for eight hours a day.

Health Problems

As with any dog, health is an important consideration when thinking about adopting a beagle or a harrier. While both breeds are relatively healthy dogs, they have some differences when it comes to their general health and longevity.

For beagles, some of the most prevalent health problems include:

• Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes seizures. When a dog suffers from this condition, their brain can’t control certain chemicals called neurotransmitters, and they can have up to 10 seizures every day. The cause of epilepsy in dogs is not known, but it seems to be related to genetic factors.

• Cherry Eye (Eyelid Protrusion)

This is a condition where the tear gland of the third eyelid protrudes from its place in the corner of the eyes. The tear gland itself is still functional, but it just looks strange. While Cherry Eye isn’t necessarily harmful, it can be uncomfortable for some dogs, resulting in red, watery eyes.

• Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a chronic disease that affects the eyes, which can lead to blindness. It is caused by high pressure in the eyes, and is a symptom of diabetes, heart disease and other medical problems. The vision loss caused by glaucoma can range from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the problem.

• Obesity

Being overweight is a lot easier for beagles than harriers, as they are naturally predisposed for obesity due to their metabolisms. They also tend to overeat, and are known to eat very fast. If unchecked, beagles can easily become obese, which leads to a variety of other health problems later in life.

For harriers, some of the most prevalent health problems include:

• Hip Dysplasia

This is a genetic disease where the dog’s hip joints are damaged and cannot support their weight, leading to pain and disability. Dogs with this condition often have trouble running, sitting or even walking due to stiffness in the joints.

Hip dysplasia can come on naturally or as a result of environmental factors, like if a harrier jumps or falls and damages their thigh bone or hip joints. The condition can be very painful, and will require pain management to live with it.

• Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones, which can have adverse effects on the body including disruptions in heart rate, metabolism, and even body temperature. It’s more commonly found in female harriers who are of older age.

• Von Willebrand’s Disease

This is a blood clotting disorder where the blood fails to clot properly. When this condition develops, dogs often have trouble healing after surgeries or injuries, leading to excessive bleeding. The disease is also commonly seen in humans, as well as cats and horses.

Von Willebrand’s Disease is common for specific dog breeds as a genetic factor of overbreeding, and unfortunately it is quite common for harriers compared to beagles.

• Elbow Dysplasia

This is a common genetic trait in harriers, which causes the elbow of a dog to be malformed. While it doesn’t cause pain or discomfort, it can quickly lead to arthritis later in life. Like hip dysplasia, it can affect dogs as a natural genetic development, or it can be brought on by injury in old age.

Intelligence

Beagles and harriers are both very intelligent breeds, and were bred to be so. In fact, some of the first dogs ever bred were hounds who were raised to hunt for food. This is why they are some of the most intuitive dogs around, and very easy to train.

They’re both good dogs for an active family who enjoy hunting or hiking in rural areas as well. However because of their keen sense of intelligence, it can cause some behavioral problems as well.

For example, beagles are particularly stubborn, and can be resistant to training depending on their personality. Beagles are also very good escape artists, as they are brilliant when it comes to finding ways out of yards and enclosed places.

Harriers are equally smart compared to beagles, but because of their more docile nature, their intelligence can be a bit easier to wield for training and adaptive learning. This is why many families like to bring harriers into their homes, as they know they can rely on them to follow commands.

Grooming

Most beagles shed a lot, so they need grooming every week or two. They need to be brushed and combed at least twice a month. Their nails will need to be trimmed every six weeks or so. They also have an undercoat, so they need to be groomed regularly to prevent tangling and matting from occurring.

They are average shedders as a short haired breed, but the amount of fur they shed is actually significant, especially during the cold winter season.

When a beagle is shedding, it will shed a lot of very thick, short fur that is often messy and annoying to clean up. That’s why I recommend getting a sturdy grooming brush, like the Hertzko Slicker Brush, which is designed specifically for dogs with undercoats like beagles.

The harrier sheds very little as a short haired breed. They do need to be bathed regularly due to being often active outdoor dogs, but the amount of grooming they require isn’t really above average for most dogs.

Like beagles, their nails should be clipped or trimmed once every six weeks, and you should brush their teeth about once a month to avoid dental issues and fix bad breath.

Exercise Requirements

Harriers and beagles both need daily exercise. They just thrive in exercise and will become easily bored otherwise. Beagles require at least one half hour walk every day, and harriers require at least one hour of vigorous exercise every day (or at least 4 hours a week).

Harriers’ activity level is very high compared to other breeds, and their natural instinct for hunting means they should be kept active at all times.

Beagles are known to get anxiety if they do not get enough exercise, so it’s crucial to keep your dog active throughout the day even if you’re not home. If you can’t exercise them or need to leave them at home, you’ll at least want to give them some forms of entertainment to keep themselves busy indoors.

Because these dogs are so intelligent, they require a lot of mental stimulation along with their physical exercise requirements. That’s why agility courses are great for both of these breeds. Agility courses are outdoor obstacle courses where dogs have to search for treats and jump through hoops.

Training

Beagles and harriers are both easy dogs to train, but beagles can be quite stubborn depending on their unique personality. Because of that, when training beagles, you’ll have to attempt to manage your dog’s personality while staying consistent and clear in your commands.

One thing that’s worked really well for me with my beagles is using high value treats. Beagles are incredibly food-motivated, and will respond really well to high value treats like peanut butter or sweet fruits like mangoes. This works particularly well with clicker training, as they’ll associate the clicks after their behaviors with a high value reward.

For some tips on clicker training beagles, check out this helpful video from Holistic Dog Training

Training harriers is a bit more straightforward compared to beagles. Harriers are very docile and intelligent, so they respond well to explicit commands and redirection in training.

This is because harriers are very obedient dogs that can be trained by anyone, not just experienced dog trainers. Even if you’re not an experienced dog trainer, it’s easy to train your harrier by following these simple steps:

First thing’s first: your dog will follow your lead. Outward obedience is a good way to start, so play some fetch games with your dog to get them on your level and be able to control the game. For this simple exercise, you’ll just need one ball, frisbee, or a stick.

 

Then have your dog follow you around and fetch the ball. After they’ve gotten used to following you around and looking where you’re looking, it’s time to move on to recall training. This is a great exercise for harriers because it’s not only physical obedience, but also mental obedience.

You’ll want get your dog used to following a call back from you. I recommend taking your dog to an open space where there are no distractions and a lot of room to run.

Then, when you let go of the ball, wait for them to retrieve it, and give them the “come” command.

The distance between you and your dog should be about 50 feet before they have to respond to you calling them back. When they get close enough, say “yes” or “good boy/girl,” then give them a treat.

Some other great methods for training both beagles and harriers include:

• Clicker training
• Praise and positive reinforcement
• Scent training
• Start off with small exercises and work up to larger patterns
• Mirror Training or Model-Rival

Final Thoughts

Both beagles and harriers are excellent family dogs. They’re very playful, they love to cuddle and they make both great indoor and outdoor dogs. They have a lot of energy too, so keeping them engaged and wanting more is important.

Overall, you can’t go wrong with either of these breeds. Their personalities are similar in a lot of ways. They’re very loving and obedient dogs that will thrive in your home if you provide them with the exercise they need and the mental stimulation they desire.