HARRIER
Scenthound Group
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard

Copyright 1992, United Kennel Club, Inc. ...............................View Registration Requirements

History

The breed stands midway between the Beagle and the Fox-hound in height. It is assumed that they are descended from the Greek hounds brought to Britain; they have been known as a distinct breed since 1130. In the past few centuries, when hunting from horseback came about, a small foxhound was crossed into the breed to increase its speed. It was bred to hunt hare. The breed is a pack animal and usually prefers the company of the pack to humans.

The Harrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1949.

The Harrier is very similar in appearance to the English Fox-hound, but smaller. It is 19 to 21 inches at the shoulders. Any good hound color, natural ear and tail. A solid built dog.

A hound pack animal, usually preferring the company of the pack to humans. Being a pack breed, aggressiveness toward other dogs cannot be tolerated.

Head should be of medium size with a good bold forehead. Its head should be in proportion to the dog. The same length from the stop to occiput as the stop to the nose.

TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors or a level bite.

EYES - Of medium size, set well apart, brown or hazel in color. Hazel to yellow in lighter dogs, but darker always pre-ferred.

NOSE - Should have wide and open nostrils, black or the darker the better in color.

EARS - Set on low and lie close to the cheeks, rounded on at the tips.

The neck is long and strong with no excess skin or throatiness, sweeping into the muscling of the forequarters.

Shoulders sloping into the muscles of the back are clean and not loaded on the withers. The elbow's point sets well away from the ribs, running parallel with the body not turning in or out. Moderate angulation.

FORELEGS - Good, straight legs with plenty of bone run-ning well down to the toes, inclined to knuckle very slightly, but not exaggerated in the slightest degree.

The back level and muscular, and no dipping behind the with-ers or arching over the loin. The loin is short, wide and well- muscled. Deep, well-sprung ribs, running well back, with plenty of heart room, and a deep chest.

Angulation in balance with the front assembly, so that the rear drive is in harmony with the front reach. Well-developed mus-cles providing strength for long hours of work. Endurance is more important than pure speed.

HIND LEGS - The stifles are only moderately angulated to provide the endurance.

Feet point straight ahead, are round and catlike; with toes set close together, and thick, well-developed pads.

Long, set on high, and carried up from 3 o'clock to 12 o'clock, depending on the attitude. It tapers to a point with a brush of hair. The tail should not be curled over the back.

Short, dense, hard and glossy. Coat texture is finer on the ears than on the body. There is a brush of hair on the underside of the tail.

Any good hound color. Color not regarded as very important.

Disqualification: Albinism.

The height at the withers is 19 to 21 inches.

The perfect coordination between the front and rear legs. Drive and reach are consistent with the desired moderate angulation The dog is straight coming and going. A slight toeing in of the front feet is acceptable. Side gait is more important than clean coming and going. The side gait should be smooth, efficient and ground covering.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.