Overview
The Beagle-Harrier was created in France in the nineteenth century by crossing Beagles with Harriers to produce a hound that could hunt hare, roe deer and fox in packs across varied terrain. It is a tricolour hound of medium size, lighter than a Harrier and taller than a Beagle, with a plain, workmanlike look.
Almost all are still kept in hunting kennels in France. A pet Beagle-Harrier in Britain is a rarity, but if you meet one, expect a Beagle temperament with extra legs and stamina.
Exercise and walking needs
Ninety minutes a day is a realistic minimum for a fit adult, and a hound of this type will keep going for far longer. Plan for two decent walks and expect the dog to still be fresh at the end.
Nose work is the key. A trail to follow, a treat scatter in long grass or a long-line ramble through woodland gives the dog what mileage alone does not.
On the walk
- Recall: Treat the dog as a Beagle: cheerful, affectionate and gone the moment a scent is stronger than your voice.
- Other dogs: Pack hounds are easy in company. Expect friendly interest and little trouble on a group walk.
- Lead manners: Steady forward pull with the nose down. A harness and a padded long line save your hands.
- Voice: A carrying bay when a trail is found. Keep away from houses when the dog is working scent.
- Stamina: The dog will not tire before you do. Set the limit yourself and stick to it.
Tips for professional walkers
- Keep a long line as the default in any open area and only unclip in a secure field.
- Lay a scent trail at the beginning of the walk to focus the dog, then let it wander.
- Avoid field margins at dawn and dusk when hares and deer are moving.
- Check the ears and feet after walks; the ears are long enough to drag and the pads take a hammering.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog been hunted or kennelled, and how used is it to living as a pet and walking on a lead?
- Has it ever disappeared on a scent, and how did the owner get it back?
- What does the dog's recall genuinely look like, and in what situations does it hold?