Let's talk Beagle Harriers
Often confused with their ‘cousins’, the Beagle and the Harrier, Beagle Harriers are actually a cross between the two. Despite their distinctly British parentage, however, they are a native of France, where they were bred at the end of the 19th century. Accomplished scent hounds, Beagle Harriers are also very friendly and social dogs that are known for their lovely temperament. There are those who say they combine the best traits of the Beagle and the Harrier.Official name: Beagle Harrier
Other names: Beagle-Harrier, French Beagle-Harrier
Origins: France
| Drooling tendencies |  |
Warm weather? |  |
| Shedding level | |
Suited to apartment living? | |
| Energy level (high, low, medium) *: | Medium to high | Family pet? * |
 |
| Compatibility with other pets |  |
Can stay alone? * |  |
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed’s specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socialising your pet as well as covering their basic welfare, social and behavioural needs.
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
Male
45 - 50 cm
Height
19 - 20 kg
Weight
Female
45 - 50 cm
Height
19 - 20 kg
Weight
| Baby age: | Birth to 2 months |
| Puppy age: | 2 to 12 months |
| Adult age: | 1 to 7 years |
| Mature age: | 7 to 10 years |
| Senior age: | From 10 years |
1/7
Get to know the Beagle Harrier
All you need to know about the breed
Perhaps not surprisingly, given their history as hunting dogs, Beagle Harriers like to live in a pack—whether that’s with animals or humans. So, if you’re looking for a dog that can be right at the heart of things and a central member of the family, this might just be the breed for you.
Originating in France, at the end of the 1900’s, Beagle Harriers were bred with the aim of hunting hare and deer. Today, though, they are just as content in the domestic home. With the same gentle, affectionate temperament as the Beagle, they form strong attachments to their human families. Their playful personality means the Beagle Harrier is also good with children, and other animals, once trained.
They also like nothing better than being out all together exploring—and if that’s in the countryside, where they can enjoy a good long trek, so much the better. In fact, that’s the one thing to consider with Beagle Harriers. These are energetic dogs with fairly high exercise needs. Their latent hunting instinct means they can also be a little bit stubborn if on the scent of something.
Halfway in size between the smaller Beagle and the larger Harrier, these tri-coloured hunting hounds nonetheless have all the finest features of both, including dark, expressive eyes, an intelligent expression and a loyal nature. Best not to set your heart on a Beagle Harrier just yet, though, as this is a dog breed that remains hard to come by for now. Think waiting list.
2/7
2 facts about Beagle Harriers
1. Call of duty
A bit like their ‘cousin’, the Beagle, the Beagle Harrier is a breed that has a distinctive baying bark. For that reason, they are not always best-suited to apartment living – unless you have understanding neighbours – though early socialisation can help with this.
2. On the right track
Be very careful when taking your Beagle Harrier for walks. Once on the scent of something, there’s little that will distract these former hunting hounds. So, unless in a safe, enclosed space, it’s best to keep them on the lead. On the plus side, their super-charged sense of smell means they can often do well as police, customs and rescue dogs.
3/7
History of the breed
While accounts vary on their exact origins, it is generally agreed that the Beagle Harrier came into being in the late 1800’s. Around this time, a Frenchman by the name of Baron Gérard Grandin de l’Eprevier decided to try crossing the Beagle with the Harrier. The result was a breed that combined endurance and persistence with a strong pack mentality—in short, the perfect sporting hound.
Taller and faster than the Beagle, but with the necessary attributes of the Harrier, Beagle Harriers were originally used to track hares, foxes, roe deer and even wild boar in the French countryside. Nonetheless, they also had an excellent temperament. This made the Beagle Harrier a good companion animal too.
Recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1972, the Beagle Harrier received authentication from the United Kennel Club in 1996. At some stage, they were also imported into America with the aim of tracking rabbits.
Today, while they are now a much-loved family pet, the Beagle Harrier remains an exceptionally rare breed. Relatively uncommon even in their native France, there are very few of them outside of the country.
4/7
From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Beagle Harriers
1. Head
Strong and broad head with a voluminous skull.
2. Face
Intelligent, dark brown eyes, large, floppy ears, and ‘super-strength’ nose.
3. Coat
Short, smooth coat, usually tricolour: Fawn with a black ‘blanket’ and white.
4. Body
Body is lithe and muscular with fairly broad chest.
5. Tail
Medium-length tail normally held high.
5/7
Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Beagle Harrier
6/7
Caring for your Beagle Harrier
Grooming, training and exercise tips
With their short, smooth coats, Beagle Harriers are fairly easy to care for when it comes to grooming. A weekly brush should more than suffice, along with daily teeth-brushing, clipping their nails when required and regular checks of their long, floppy ears. However, Beagle Harriers can be prone to a bit of shedding so they might need brushing more regularly during these times to avoid a hairy carpet.
Exercise-wise, Beagle Harriers require at least an hour or more a day, ideally divided into two outings, to keep them contented—and in shape.
Training is usually a pleasure, as Beagle Harriers are intelligent animals, though they can be a little stubborn at times—especially if they are on the scent of something. As with all dogs, early socialisation is also recommended.
7/7
All about Beagle Harriers
Assuming they come from a reputable breeder, Beagle Harriers tend to be fairly healthy and robust animals. As such, these sporty scent-hounds have a good average lifespan of 12 to 13 years.
Although it can be a little confusing, Beagles and Harriers are two completely separate breeds—and the Beagle Harrier, which is a cross between the two, is a separate breed again. The main difference is their size, with the Beagle being the smallest, the Harrier the largest, and Beagle Harriers somewhere in the middle.
translations.feature.breeds.otherbreeds
Read more on this topic
How your dog's nutrition needs change with age
How to adopt a dog
Things to consider before getting a dog
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/