Beagle-HarrierCharacteristics, history, training and care
Beagle-Harrier. · Grzes1966 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped and resized.
The Beagle-Harrier is a medium-sized French hound, created at the end of the 19th century from the Beagle and the Harrier. It looks like a big Beagle or a small Harrier. It is agile and vigorous, bred for hunting hares in a pack, and is rare outside France.
Quick facts
| Common name | Beagle-Harrier |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | France |
| Official recognition | FCI, definitively since 2 September 1972 (Group 6, with a working trial; standard no. 290) |
| Lifespan | 12–13 years |
| Size (males) | 45–50 cm at the withers |
| Size (females) | 45–50 cm at the withers |
| Weight | about 19–21 kg |
| Coat type | Fairly thick, not too short, lying close to the body |
| Common colours | Tricolour: fawn with a black mantle and white; grey tricolours are also accepted |
| Energy level | High |
| Suited to an apartment? | Not really; it needs a lot of space |
| Temperament | Lively, intelligent, agile |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | Good |
| Good with other animals | Very good with other dogs; chases small game |
| Genetic predispositions | Hip dysplasia |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
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History and origin
The breed was created in France at the end of the 19th century by Baron Gérard, by crossing the Beagle with the Harrier. Like the breeds it comes from, it was bred for hunting hares.
Today it is used in packs for hare, roe deer and other game. Outside France it is quite rare.
How the breed developed
- Late 19th century – Baron Gérard crosses the Beagle and the Harrier.
- 2 September 1972 – The FCI recognises the breed.
- 1 August 2023 – the current FCI standard is published.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★☆☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Independence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★★☆☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★★☆ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★★☆ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★★☆ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★★★ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★★☆ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★★★☆ |
| Needs and care | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shedding | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy level | ★★★★★ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★★★ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★★☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★★☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★★★☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★★★ |
| Good hunting dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★★★☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile; the rating is based on the FCI standard (“lively, intelligent”) and on the breed's description as a pack hound.
Physical characteristics
It is a dog of medium proportions, well-balanced, agile and vigorous. The body is muscular, and the coat smooth and dense.
General appearance
The large, dark eyes have an open, lively and intelligent expression. The ears are fairly short and of medium width, set at eye level.
| Feature | Beagle-Harrier |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Height at the withers | 45–50 cm |
| Weight | about 19–21 kg |
| Coat | Thick, smooth, lying close to the body |
| Eyes | Large, dark |
| Ears | Fairly short, set at eye level |
The usual colour is tricolour: fawn with a black mantle and white, with brighter or paler tan markings. Because grey Harriers also exist, grey tricolour or white-and-grey dogs are not penalised.
Training and socialisation
It is an intelligent hound that works well in a pack. Like all scent hounds, it can be distracted by smells, so training takes patience.
Rewards and short sessions work best.
Tips for effective training
- Practise the recall. It is the most important command for a hound.
- Use its nose. Search games keep it content.
- Keep exercises short. A few minutes, several times a day.
- Keep it in company. As a pack dog, it does not like being alone.
Activity needs and lifestyle
It is an agile, hardy hunting dog that needs a lot of daily exercise.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long walks | daily | Burns off energy |
| Running in a fenced area | several times a week | Exercise at its own pace |
| Tracking games | several times a week | Uses its hound instinct |
Tips for a balanced life
- Keep it on a lead outside the yard.
- The fence must have no gaps.
- Its hound bark carries a long way.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
Brush the dense, smooth coat once a week. It sheds moderately.
Common health problems
Wikipedia notes that the Beagle-Harrier is generally a healthy breed, but can develop hip dysplasia.
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops | Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain |
Other care
- Check the ears once a week.
- Check for ticks after outings in nature.
- Trim the nails when they start to touch the floor.
Diet and nutrition
Adjust the portion to how active it is and to its weight. A hound that hunts needs more calories during the season.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 kg | 1,020 kcal | 1,150 kcal | 260–330 g |
| 21 kg | 1,100 kcal | 1,240 kcal | 280–350 g |
- Give it its food in two meals a day.
- Fresh water should always be available.
- A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.
Foods to avoid
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Most breeds become adults at around 13–15 months.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.
Caring for the puppies
In dogs, a litter has 5–6 puppies on average, and the number rises with the size of the breed. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- A dog “in between”. It looks like a big Beagle or a small Harrier.
- It was created by a baron. Baron Gérard created it at the end of the 19th century.
- Grey is allowed. Because grey Harriers exist, grey Beagle-Harriers are not penalised either.
- It is rare. Outside France it is very seldom seen.
- It has a working trial. For some FCI titles it must also pass a hunting test.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Beagle-Harrier?
A French hound created from the Beagle and the Harrier, used for hunting hares.
How big does it get?
It stands 45–50 cm at the withers and weighs about 19–21 kg.
How long does it live?
Its life expectancy is 12–13 years.
Is it suited to a family?
It is friendly, but needs a lot of exercise and space.
