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Breed Characteristics
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Beagle Harrier
| Country of Origin | France |
| Weight | 42 - 46 lbs. (19 - 21 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 18–20 in. (45–50 cm) |
| Coat | The coat of the Beagle-Harrier is thick, not-too-short, and flat. |
| Colour | Unlike Beagles and Harriers which exhibit several different colorations, the Beagle-Harrier is exclusively a tri-colour dog. This breed must exhibit three different colours of markings. One must be white, another must be black or grey, and the third must be tan, fawn, brown, or orange. While all tri-colour markings and patterns are acceptable, many of these dogs exhibit the black saddle shaped marking on the back common to so many scenthounds of English descent. |
| Litter Size | 3-7 Puppies |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 Years |
| Origin & History | There is substantial disagreement about the history of the Beagle-Harrier. Some say that it may have existed in France since the Late Middle Ages or Early Renaissance, while others claim that it was not developed until the 19th Century. There is also a debate as to how the breed developed. Many claim that the Beagle-Harrier was developed by crossing Beagles and Harriers, but a number of other fanciers insist that the dog was developed directly from the mutual ancestor of both the Beagle and the Harrier. Proponents of both theories agree that the breed was almost certainly crossed with medium-sized French hunting hounds as well. Part of the reason for the confusion over the Beagle-Harrier’s origins is that there is substantial dispute over the origin of the Beagle and Harrier. There have been scenthounds similar to the modern day Beagle and Harrier present in England since at least Roman Times, but it is unclear what if any impact these dogs had on the creation of modern breeds. The names Harrier and Beagle entered the written record in the 1200’s and 1400’s respectively, and were used to describe dogs very similar to the modern breeds. However, many claim that these older breeds actually became extinct and were replaced with modern recreations developed from the English Foxhound in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. Interestingly, many also claim that the English Foxhound was partially descended from Beagles and Harriers. The debate between proponents of different origins of the two breeds is quite opinionated, but until new evidence comes to light, the truth will probably never be known. In the opinion of this writer, the full truth is probably a combination of the different theories. There were probably ancient breeds that were very similar to the modern Harrier and Beagle in existence for many centuries, and possibly millennia. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, these older breeds were probably heavily crossed with the English Foxhound to develop the modern breeds. It has also been suggested that Beagles and Harriers were traditionally the same breed, and that the terms were just used to describe individual dogs of different sizes. This is very possible, and in fact was the case for Cocker and Springer Spaniels well into the 20th Century. However and whenever the Beagle and the Harrier were developed, at some point they were introduced into France. Many claim that the first introduction came between the 11th and 15th Centuries. In 1066, William the Conqueror (a vassal of the King of France) invaded England. This invasion resulted in several centuries of Norman (French) rule in England. However, England’s Norman rulers maintained possession of massive land holdings in France, especially in the regions of Normandy and Aquitaine, much of which they possessed until the Hundred Years War concluded in the 1400’s. During this 400 year period, the English and French Nobility were in close contact and often exchanged hunting dogs. Some supporters claim that either Beagles and Harriers or the mutual ancestor of both breeds entered Southwestern France during this time. This theory is bolstered by the fact that Southwestern France is where the province of Aquitaine is located. If true, the Beagle-Harrier was probably influenced by some of the oldest French hunting breeds including the Saint Hubert Hound and the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. It is more frequently claimed that the Beagle-Harrier was developed in the 19th Century. Technological advances made possible by the industrial revolution drastically increased the ease, speed, and safety of travel. This made it cheaper and easier to transport dogs than ever before and would have provided canine fanciers in the United Kingdom and France with the ability to regularly import dogs from around the world. It is quite possible that either Beagles and Harriers, or some intermediate form of the two arrived in Southwestern France at this time. Unless more evidence can be found for an older origin, this theory is the more likely of the two. If this theory is true, then the Beagle-Harrier was probably influenced by more recently developed French hunting breeds such as the Petit Bleu de Gascogne, the Braque Francais (Pyrenees), and the various breeds of Basset. Proponents of this theory often claim that the breed was developed by the French nobleman Baron Gerard who is known to have kept a pack in the 19th Century. However, others claim that Baron Gerard was one of several breed developers or that he merely bred dogs that had been present in the region for centuries. Whatever the true origins of the Beagle-Harrier, the breed became a highly skilled and adaptable hunting dog. The Beagle-Harrier looks virtually identical to both the Beagle and the Harrier, with the only difference that the breed was intermediate in size between the two. Although in England and North America Beagles and Harriers have traditionally been used almost exclusively to hunt rabbits and hares (and sometimes foxes), in France the Beagle-Harrier was used on much more varied game. Although the French primarily used the Beagle-Harrier for small game, they also found that the breed was quite capable of hunting larger prey such as deer and wild boar. The Beagle-Harrier is almost always hunted in a medium to large pack in a manner similar to most English hounds. The Beagle-Harrier is most frequently followed on horseback like a Harrier or English Foxhound, but is sometimes followed by hunters on foot like a Beagle or Basset Hound. Although the Beagle-Harrier became established in France, the breed never obtained much popularity. Most French hunters strongly preferred native French scenthound breeds, or at least the Anglo-Francaises, which are crosses between English and French scenthounds. Because the Beagle-Harrier has been traditionally used exclusively as a working dog, fanciers showed very little interest in the breed receiving formal recognition with major canine organizations. Like nearly all European scenthounds, the Beagle-Harrier population was dramatically reduced during the World Wars, although it does not appear that this breed was as affected as many others. In 1974, the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) granted full recognition to the Beagle-Harrier for the first time. FCI recognition did not increase the Beagle-Harrier’s popularity to the extent that it has with many other breeds, and the Beagle-Harrier remained very rare. The Beagle-Harrier remains a rare breed to this day, and is probably in danger of eventual extinction. This breed is very rare in France, and is essentially unknown in other countries. A few individual Beagle-Harriers have been introduced into other nations, but the breed has yet to become established outside of France. There are some indications that the breed’s numbers are increasing in France, but it is not clear to what extent. It is also not clear if any Beagle-Harriers have been imported to the United States, but the breed has been granted full recognition with the United Kennel Club (UKC) since 1996 and is also recognized by the Continental Kennel Club (CKC) and a few other smaller canine organizations. The Beagle-Harriers faces substantial challenges if it is to gain a larger following. Hunting with hounds is becoming increasingly unpopular across much of the world, as are the breeds used to participate in it. The Beagle-Harrier is also so similar to the extremely popular Beagle that it would be challenging for the breed to find its own unique identity. Because of the Beagle-Harriers precarious position, many experts think that the breed could go entirely extinct in the near future if efforts are not made to conserve it. |
| Personality | The Beagle Harrier is generally good with children and other pets. They are loyal, have lots of determination and are calm and relaxed when at home, making them a good family pet. They are a hunting breed and so require a lot of exercise and space. |
Care Requirements
| Health | It does not appear as though any health studies have been conducted on the Beagle-Harrier which makes it impossible to say anything about the breed’s health with certainty. Most fanciers seem to believe that the Beagle-Harrier is in relatively good health, which is the case for most similar breeds. However, the Beagle-Harrier may be at risk of developing a number of health conditions due to its very small genetic pool. |
| Grooming | The Beagle-Harrier has very low grooming requirements. This breed should never require professional grooming, only a regular, thorough brushing. Beagle-Harriers do shed, and many shed very heavily, although the actual amount varies significantly between individuals. Owners of this breed have to take special care to thoroughly clean the ears of Beagle-Harriers on a regular basis. Otherwise, the large drooping ears will trap particles such as dirt, food, and water which can lead to irritations and infections. |
| Exercise | This breed definitely requires daily exercise and should get at least 30 to 45 minutes of physical activity every day. Unless provided daily activity, Beagle-Harriers are likely to develop behavioral problems such as destructiveness, hyperactivity, and excessive barking. Once one of these dogs has been provided enough outdoor playtime, they tend to be very relaxed indoors. A properly exercised Beagle-Harrier will spend hours lounging around the home. As is the case with Beagles, the relaxed indoor attitude of the Beagle-Harrier can lead owners to giving their dog’s too little exercise, which can lead to obesity. |
