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

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Brittany Versus Harrier: Introduction

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

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

Brittany versus Harrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Brittany belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

Brittany versus Harrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Brittany 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 Brittany and the Harrier

Factor Brittany Harrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Height 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 13 years 10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Weight 30 to 40 pounds 45 to 60 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1080 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1200 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination each year from 2-8 years of age.
  • 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 Brittany 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 Brittany is 73 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 Brittany. 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 Brittany and the Harrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Brittany and the Harrier

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

    • Brittanys 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.
    • Brittanys have a very high tendency to drool. However, Harriers do not have the tendency to drool.

    The Similarities Between the Brittany and the Harrier

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

    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Brittany and the Harrier are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Brittany versus Harrier

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

    Brittanys weigh 30 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Brittanys are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s 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 Brittany versus Harrier

    The lifespan of Brittanys is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Brittanys is 11.5 years.

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

    Brittanys live longer than Harriers.

    Health Problems of Brittany 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 Brittany 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the Brittany.

    2 health tests are recommended for Brittany while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.

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

    Brittany Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination each year from 2-8 years of age.
  • Hip Dysplasia

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

    Brittanys do not like to be left alone.

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Brittanys shed more than Harriers?

    Brittanys shed moderately.

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Brittany or the Harrier

    Brittanys have a very high tendency to drool.

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Brittanys are moderately easy to groom.

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

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

    Brittanys 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 Brittanys Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?

    Brittanys bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    Brittanys can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Brittany vs. Harrier

    Brittanys 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 Brittanys Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Brittanys 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 Brittany or the Harrier?

    Brittanys get along very well with other dogs.

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Brittanys good family dogs? What about Harriers?

    Brittanys 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 Brittanys and Harriers?

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

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

    Is the Brittany Easier to Train than the Harrier?

    Brittanys are fairly easy to train.

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Brittany Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?

    Brittanys do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Brittanys are OK for new dog owners.

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

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