Overview
Harriers have hunted hare in packs across England for centuries and are still kept mainly by hunts. A Harrier you are asked to walk may well be a retired hound or a pet from a working line, and either way it carries the pack instinct: sociable with other dogs, happiest in company, and driven by scent above all else.
They are an uncomplicated, cheerful dog to be around. Physically they are compact and athletic, standing taller than a Beagle with a tighter frame, and they have a loud voice they are not shy about using when a trail gets exciting.
Exercise and walking needs
Plan on ninety minutes or more a day, and make at least some of it fast. A Harrier that only ambles on a lead will be restless and vocal at home. Running alongside a bike or a long free run in a secure field suits them well.
For a hound that has lived in kennels and is new to pet life, build fitness gradually and watch the pads, which may be soft at first.
On the walk
- Scent: Hare, rabbit and deer scent will pull a Harrier like a magnet. Expect sudden changes of direction and a dog that goes deaf when its head drops.
- Recall: Honest answer: rarely dependable in open country. Many owners keep them on a long line everywhere except fully fenced fields.
- Other dogs: Pack hounds are generally excellent with other dogs and settle quickly into a group. Watch for them egging each other on at a scent.
- Noise: Harriers bay when excited. Avoid residential cut-throughs at quiet hours if the dog is likely to sound off.
Tips for professional walkers
- Carry a long line and a secure harness; a collar alone will not hold a hound that has hit a line of scent.
- Give the dog a scent game: a scattered handful of kibble in long grass keeps the nose busy and the body still.
- Check for ticks after walking through bracken or rough grass; a smooth-coated hound picks them up easily.
- Fence security matters. Before using a field, walk the boundary and look for gaps at ground level.
What to ask the owner
- Was the dog in a hunt kennel before, and how long has it lived indoors?
- Has it ever been let off the lead successfully, and in what kind of space?
- Does it chase livestock, and are there fields on your usual routes to avoid?