A Detailed Comparison of the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier.

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Black Russian Terrier Versus Harrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier or the Harrier.

Black Russian Terrier versus Harrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Black Russian Terrier is a giant-sized dog while the Harrier is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Black Russian Terrier belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs 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.

Black Russian Terrier versus Harrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier

Factor Black Russian Terrier Harrier
Life Span 10 to 11 years 10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Height 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 80 to 140 pounds 45 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $3050 No Data
Price Range $2600 – $3500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Agouti DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dominant Black DNA Test
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy
    		•
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier is 74 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 Black Russian Terrier. 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 Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier

    Below is a list of where the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier are most different:

    • Black Russian Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Harriers get along well with other dogs.
    • Black Russian Terriers are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Harriers are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Black Russian Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Harriers are very easy to groom.

    The Similarities Between the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier

    The Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier are most similar:

    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Black Russian Terrier versus Harrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier.

    Black Russian Terriers weigh 80 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Black Russian Terriers are 26 to 28 inches 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 Black Russian Terrier versus Harrier

    The lifespan of Black Russian Terriers is between 10 to 11 years. The average lifespan of Black Russian Terriers is 10.5 years.

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

    Harriers live longer than Black Russian Terriers.

    Health Problems of Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Black Russian Terrier than for the Harrier.

    7 health tests are recommended for Black Russian Terrier while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Black Russian Terriers and in Harriers.

    Black Russian Terrier Health Problems

    Black Russian Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terriers for:

  • Agouti DNA Test
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dominant Black DNA Test
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Black Russian Terriers 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: Black Russian Terrier versus Harrier

    Black Russian Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Black Russian Terriers shed more than Harriers?

    Black Russian Terriers shed moderately.

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Black Russian Terrier or the Harrier

    Black Russian Terriers drool moderately.

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Black Russian Terrier or the Harrier?

    Black Russian Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Black Russian Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?

    Black Russian Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Black Russian Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?

    Black Russian Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Black Russian Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Black Russian Terrier vs. Harrier

    Black Russian Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Black Russian Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Black Russian Terrier or the Harrier?

    Black Russian Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Black Russian Terriers good family dogs? What about Harriers?

    Black Russian Terriers 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 Black Russian Terriers and Harriers?

    Black Russian Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Black Russian Terrier Easier to Train than the Harrier?

    Black Russian Terriers are very easy to train.

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Black Russian Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?

    Black Russian Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Black Russian Terrier or the Harrier?

    Black Russian Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Black Russian Terrier 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 Black Russian Terrier and the Harrier better suits you and your family.