Which is Better Between the Borzoi and the Harrier?

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Borzoi Versus Harrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Borzoi 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 Borzoi 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 Borzoi 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 Borzoi or the Harrier.

Borzoi versus Harrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Borzoi and the Harrier are Hound Dogs. This means both the Borzoi 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.

Borzoi versus Harrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Borzoi 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 Borzoi and the Harrier

Factor Borzoi Harrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Height 26 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Weight 55 to 105 pounds 45 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1560 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $1500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Borzoi 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 Borzoi is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Harrier is 81 out of 125.

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

    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 Borzoi and the Harrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Borzoi and the Harrier

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

    • Borzois 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.
    • Borzois have low exercise needs. However, Harriers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Borzois adapt well to apartment living. However, Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Borzois are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone. However, Harriers are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.

    The Similarities Between the Borzoi and the Harrier

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

    • Both the Borzoi and the Harrier do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Harrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Harrier can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Harrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Harrier get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Harrier are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Harrier are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Harrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Borzoi and the Harrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Harrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Borzoi and the Harrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Size Comparison of Borzoi versus Harrier

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

    Borzois weigh 55 to 105 pounds when fully grown. Borzois are 26 to 32 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 Borzoi versus Harrier

    The lifespan of Borzois is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Borzois 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 Borzoi 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 Borzoi 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 Borzoi is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.

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

    6 health tests are recommended for Borzoi while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.

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

    Borzoi Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Borzois 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: Borzoi versus Harrier

    Borzois do not like to be left alone.

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Borzois shed more than Harriers?

    Borzois shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Borzoi or the Harrier

    Borzois do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Borzoi or the Harrier?

    Borzois are very easy to groom.

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Borzoi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?

    Borzois 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 Borzois Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?

    Borzois are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Borzois Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Borzois can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Borzoi vs. Harrier

    Borzois 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 Borzois Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Borzois 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 Borzoi or the Harrier?

    Borzois get along very well with other dogs.

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Borzois good family dogs? What about Harriers?

    Borzois 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 Borzois and Harriers?

    Borzois get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Borzoi Easier to Train than the Harrier?

    Borzois are fairly easy to train.

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Borzoi Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?

    Borzois adapt very well to apartment living.

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Borzois are OK for new dog owners.

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Borzoi 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 Borzoi and the Harrier better suits you and your family.