Is the Basset Hound Better than the Harrier as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Basset Hound Versus Harrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Basset Hound and the Harrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Basset Hound and the Harrier better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Basset Hound and the Harrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basset Hound and the Harrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Basset Hound and for the Harrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Basset Hound and the Harrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Basset Hound or the Harrier.

Basset Hound versus Harrier: Overview

Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier are similar in size. The Basset Hound and the Harrier are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Basset Hound and the Harrier are Hound Dogs. This means both the Basset Hound and the Harrier were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Basset Hound versus Harrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Basset Hound to the Harrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Basset Hound and the Harrier

Factor Basset Hound Harrier
General Health 1/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
Weight 50 to 65 pounds 45 to 60 pounds
Height Up to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1410 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $1500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Thrombopathia
    		•
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Basset Hound in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Harrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Basset Hound is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Harrier is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Basset Hound. So, you should get the Harrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Basset Hound and the Harrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basset Hound and the Harrier

    Below is a list of where the Basset Hound and the Harrier are most different:

    • Basset Hounds have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Harriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Basset Hounds have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Harriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Basset Hounds have low exercise needs. However, Harriers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Basset Hounds not very playful. However, Harriers are very playful.
    • Basset Hounds have a very high tendency to drool. However, Harriers do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Basset Hounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    The Similarities Between the Basset Hound and the Harrier

    The Basset Hound and the Harrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Basset Hound and the Harrier are most similar:

    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier are not easy to train.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier are good for new dog owners.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Size Comparison of Basset Hound versus Harrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Basset Hound and the Harrier.

    Basset Hounds weigh 50 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Basset Hounds are Up to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Basset Hound versus Harrier

    The lifespan of Basset Hounds is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Basset Hounds is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.

    Health Problems of Basset Hound versus Health Problems of Harrier

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Basset Hound and the Harrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Harrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Basset Hound.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Harrier than for the Basset Hound.

    1 health tests are recommended for Basset Hound while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Basset Hounds and in Harriers.

    Basset Hound Health Problems

    Basset Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Basset Hound puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Basset Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Basset Hound breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Basset Hounds for:

  • Thrombopathia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Basset Hounds here.

    Harrier Health Problems

    Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Harriers for:

  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Basset Hound versus Harrier

    Basset Hounds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Basset Hounds shed more than Harriers?

    Basset Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Basset Hound or the Harrier

    Basset Hounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Basset Hound or the Harrier?

    Basset Hounds are very easy to groom.

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Basset Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?

    Basset Hounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Harriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Basset Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?

    Basset Hounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Basset Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Basset Hounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Basset Hound vs. Harrier

    Basset Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Basset Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Basset Hounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basset Hound or the Harrier?

    Basset Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Basset Hounds good family dogs? What about Harriers?

    Basset Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Basset Hounds and Harriers?

    Basset Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Basset Hound Easier to Train than the Harrier?

    Basset Hounds are not easy to train.

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Basset Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?

    Basset Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Basset Hound or the Harrier?

    Basset Hounds are very good for new dog owners.

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Basset Hound versus Harrier. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Basset Hound and the Harrier better suits you and your family.