Beagle Harrier This article is verified by a vet

beagle harrier

The Beagle Harrier is an excellent hunter who, with adequate training, is also suitable for families.

The Beagle Harrier is a source of great delight for active dog lovers. It is clever, sporty, and loves being close to its humans. In our breed portrait, you will discover everything you need to know about the vivacious Beagle Harrier.

Appearance: Many Similarities to its Ancestors

Its name precisely describes what the breed looks like: a mix of Beagle and Harrier. The body of this breed is muscular. It has a straight back while having a flatter chest than the Beagle.

The eyes of this Beagle relative are dark, its snout is triangular, and its ears are broad.

Proudly, the dog carries its rod-like tail aloft, much akin to a rapier.

What Colours Does the Beagle Harrier Have?

Typically, the short, dense fur of this breed features a combination of three colours including:

  • black
  • light brown or fawn
  • white
Beagle Harrier dog on the grass © VP / stock.adobe.com
Black, white, brown – this color combination is a typical feature of the Beagle Harrier.

How Big and Heavy Does a Beagle Harrier Get?

The Beagle Harrier falls into the category of medium-sized breeds. It attains a shoulder height of roughly 45 to 50 centimetres. A healthy specimen of the breed weighs about 20 to 25 kilograms.

Character of the Beagle Harrier: Hunting Dog & Faithful Friend

This breed is quite literally made for hunting. Its keen nose can lead the Beagle Harrier to almost any scent – and not always to the owner’s delight.

To satisfy its pronounced hunting instinct, you should ensure plenty of training sessions with your Beagle Harrier. This helps to better control its behaviour and, if you wish, to promote it in dog sports.

Loyal and Affectionate Four-Legged Friend

In addition to their strong hunting desire, the breed also has a soft side. This makes them true cuddlers who are not only dutiful but also loyal and affectionate.

Is a Beagle Harrier Suitable for Families?

As long as your children understand how to handle animals carefully, the Beagle Harrier makes an excellent loyal family dog.

It’s important to interact with it calmly, yet firmly.

Of course, this is predicated on you socialising your dog with children and other animals socialise early on. Then the cohabitation with other dogs or cats should also go smoothly.

Care and Training: The Beagle Harrier Needs to be Kept Busy

Beagle Harriers can typically be trained easily using the treat trick: only give your four-legged friend a tasty dog snack when it behaves positively.

However, speed plays a critical role here. The timing determines whether your four-legged friend correctly associates the reward.

Caution: To prevent your dog from gaining too much weight, the treats must definitely be subtracted from its daily amount of food.

Fun Activities with Your Four-Legged Friend

This canine breed generally wants to please its owners. The pronounced intelligence of this breed will also help you to teach your protégé the most common commands quickly.

Once these are firmly established, you can try out athletic activities with your four-legged friend.

It particularly enjoys scent work, which can be effectively utilised in activities like mantrailing.

Nutrition: Premium-Quality Food in Appropriate Quantities

Like every dog, the Beagle Harrier requires high-quality dog food that is tailored to its adult weight and state of health. Primarily, the type of feeding you prefer is inconsequential.

The main thing is that your dog gets all the essential nutrients it needs for a balanced canine life.

Not Too Much of a Good Thing

It is particularly crucial that you do not overfeed your dog. Even if it gazes at you with big puppy eyes, you need to stay strong.

Excess food gradually leads to overweight issues, which can result in serious health problems.

Health & Care: How Robust is the Beagle Harrier?

As a fundamentally robust breed, the Beagle Harrier does not require extraordinarily comprehensive care. Normally, brushing once a week suffices – during the shedding season, you might need to support your dog a bit more with coat care.

Note: Like the Beagle, this breed also has a tendency to drool.

Remember to Care for Claws and Teeth

In addition to fur, you must also regularly attend to your dog’s claws and teeth. Neglecting them can lead to health issues such as tartar buildup or torn claws.

Robust Four-Legged Friend

Compared to other breeds, the Beagle Harrier is less prone to hereditary diseases. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean it is immune to allergies or joint issues like hip dysplasia – especially if care and nutrition are not appropriate.

To identify illnesses in a timely manner and prevent severe consequences, you should always keep an eye on your dog and take it to the vet at the first sign of sickness.

How Old Does a Beagle Harrier Get?

The average lifespan of a healthy Beagle Harrier is around twelve to 13 years.

History: A Hound with French Roots

The origins of the Beagle Harrier trace back to the 19th century in France. This breed is likely a cross between a Beagle and a Harrier.

The father of this breed is believed to be the French painter Baron Gerard, who desired a smaller Harrier with the excellent hunting skills of a Beagle.

From Europe to the USA

The Beagle Harrier quickly gained popularity in Europe and subsequently made its way across the ocean to the USA.

There, the breed became an integral part of hare and rabbit hunting within a short time frame.

Recognition as a Distinct Breed

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognised the Beagle Harrier as a distinct breed in 1974. A bit later, in 1996, the United Kennel Club (UKC) also accepted the Beagle Harrier as a standalone breed.

Where Can You Buy a Beagle Harrier?

If you’re interested in this intriguing breed, you’ll find what you’re looking for with a Beagle Harrier breeder. However, as the breed is less known than others, there are correspondingly few breeders.

Our Tip: Occasionally, Beagle Harriers end up in shelters or special dog rescue centres. Do check these places regularly and give a dog a second chance.

How Much Does a Beagle Harrier Cost?

The cost of a specimen of this breed depends on the breeder, its provenance and age. However, plan for an average between 1,000 and 2,000 Euros.

Conclusion: A Loyal and Low-Maintenance Companion on Four Paws

If you adore Beagles and can’t get enough of the breed, the Beagle Harrier is an exciting alternative. It’s larger than the Beagle but possesses the same excellent hunting abilities. Well-trained, the handsome hunter is suitable for families and sports aficionados alike.

Quick Guide to the Beagle Harrier

Distinctive features:The Beagle Harrier not only looks similar to its namesakes, but sometimes acts like them too. It has a strong hunting instinct and shadows its owner every step of the way.
Character:loyal and intelligent, but with a strong hunting instinct
Height at the withers:45-50 cm
Weight:20-25 kg
Fur:short and dense, a trio combination of colours (brown, black, white)
Coat care:brush once a week
Exercise:high sniffing and movement instinct
Suitable for beginners:suitable for experienced dog owners
Barking:tends to bark often (referred to as “music” by hunters)
Life expectancy:approx. 12 years
Typical diseases:rarely affected by hereditary diseases, but all common dog diseases possible
Price:approx. 1,000-2,000 €
FCI Group:6
Origin:France

Here are some purchase proposals curated by the zooplus editorial team

The products featured have been carefully selected by our editorial staff and are available at the zooplus online pet shop. The selection does not constitute advertising for the mentioned brands.


Franziska G., Veterinarian
Profilbild von Tierärztin Franziska Gütgeman mit Hund

At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene. Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future. Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.


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