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Moderne Harrier

History

THIS BREED WHICH STANDS mid-way between the Beagle and the Foxhound in height is not, as some contend, a small edition of the Foxhound. While the modern Harrier carries the bloods of a variety of hounds it has been known in Britain as a distinct breed since 1130. Hare hunting on foot preceded foxhunting by several hundreds of years, and for this purpose packs of hounds were used. In the year 350 B.C. Xenophon, the Greek historian, wrote of a pack of small hounds he owned whose descriptions are similar to that of today's Harrier.It is assumed that Greek hounds were brought to Britain at the time of the Roman invasion. There the "harriers," which was the name given to any kind of hunting dog, underwent numerous changes. Crosses to the now extinct St. Hubert and Talbot hounds, the Brachet, and French Basset have been suggested. Later when sportsmen mounted horses to ride to the hunt a faster harrier was needed. This was accomplished by crossing to small Foxhounds. It was in the latter part of the 18th century that the name "Harrier" came to identify the hound with the strong hunting instinct specifically bred to hunt the hare, although in Europe packs of Harriers had been used successfully to hunt the wolf and in Ceylon to hunt the leopard.Like the Foxhound with its background of centuries of living with his own kind, the Harrier prefers pack life to human companionship. Packs number from forty to fifty dogs and there are still some notable examples being run in Britain. A scheme of placing puppies in private homes where they are tended through their first year of life operates in Britain. While the scheme is said to be successful, it is also reported that those who tend them are not reluctant to give up the hounds when the time comes for them to return to the pack.Harriers were brought to this continent during colonial times and are still being bred to a limited degree. One Harrier couple competed in the first Westminster Kennel Club show held in New York in 1877. The CKC Stud Book lists one Harrier registered in the years 1891 - 1892.

GENERAL APPEARANCE The points of the modern Harrier are very similar to those of the Foxhound. The Harrier however is smaller than the Foxhound: the most popular size is 19 to 21 inches (48.26 to 53.34 cm) Proportion is off square. The Harrier is slightly longer from point of shoulder to rear projection of the upper thigh than from withers to ground. He is active, well balanced, full of strength and quality.

CHARACTERISTICS A natural ability to hunt. Normally hunted on horse, but slower in pace than the Foxhound enabling him to be followed on foot.

TEMPERAMENT Friendly and not aggressive. Essentially a Pack Hound.

NECK Of ample length, well arched, well developed without being coarse. Clean and tapering.

HEAD AND SKULL Medium size. Slight Stop; eyebrows very prominent, giving the appearance of a bold forehead with plenty of expression. Skull well balanced, slightly rounded with a slight occiput and of medium width. Muzzle in balance with skull, neither snipy nor truncated, the flews of the upper lip just cover the under jaw. The nostrils large.

EYES Medium size, set well apart, brown or hazel colour in darker dogs, lighter hazel in lighter coloured dogs, though darker eye colours are always desired.

EARS Leathers pendent, with the leading edge lying close to the cheeks. Set on just above the level of the eye. The ears may be raised when alert.

MOUTH Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite: ie. Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

FOREQUARTERS Shoulders well laid back, sloping into muscles of back. Clean and not loaded. Forelegs long, straight and well boned down to feet, but not overburdened. Pasterns strong with slight indication of spring. Point of elbows set away from the ribs, running parallel with the body and neither turning inwards nor outwards.

BODY Chest deep, ribs well sprung and running well back with plenty of heart room. Back broad and level, not dipping behind the withers, slight arching over the loin.

HINDQUARTERS Powerful, with muscular first and second thighs. Stifles well angled. Hocks well let down and viewed from behind, stand square. Well boned down to feet.

FEET Neither too tight nor too round. Well padded with well arched toes. Nails strong. Dewclaws optional.

TAIL In balance with the rest of the dog, set high and carried up from 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock, depending on attitude. The tail is strong at the butt; tapers to a point. Tail is well covered with hair, especially on underside where the hair is slightly longer. The tail should not be curled over the back.

GAIT/MOVEMENT Free, long striding tireless movement. Good reach in front without high action. Good drive behind with no inclination to roll.

COAT Short, dense, hard and glossy. Weatherproof.

COLOUR Any recognised hound colour and markings. Usually with a white tip on the stern.

SIZE Height 48.26 to 53.34 cm. (19 to 21 inches)

FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

NOTE Males animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.