Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Brussels Griffon Versus Harrier: Introduction
- Brussels Griffon versus Harrier: Overview
- Brussels Griffon versus Harrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier
- The Similarities Between the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier
- Size Comparison of Brussels Griffon versus Harrier
- Lifespan of Brussels Griffon versus Harrier
- Health Problems of Brussels Griffon versus Health Problems of Harrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Brussels Griffon versus Harrier
- Do Brussels Griffons shed more than Harriers?
- Which one drools more, the Brussels Griffon or the Harrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Brussels Griffon or the Harrier?
- Does the Brussels Griffon Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
- Do Brussels Griffons Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
- Can Brussels Griffons Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Brussels Griffon vs. Harrier
- Can Brussels Griffons Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Brussels Griffon or the Harrier?
- Are Brussels Griffons good family dogs? What about Harriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Brussels Griffons and Harriers?
- Is the Brussels Griffon Easier to Train than the Harrier?
- Conclusion: Brussels Griffon versus Harrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Brussels Griffon Versus Harrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffon and the Harrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffon or the Harrier.
Brussels Griffon versus Harrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Brussels Griffon is a tiny-sized dog while the Harrier is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Brussels Griffon belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
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.
Brussels Griffon versus Harrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffon and the Harrier
| Factor | Brussels Griffon | Harrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 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 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 7 to 12 pounds | 45 to 60 pounds |
| Height | 7 to 8 inches tall at the shoulder | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $2430 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1899 – $3000 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffon is 72 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 Brussels Griffon. 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 Brussels Griffon and the Harrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier
Below is a list of where the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier are most different:
- Brussels Griffons have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Harriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Brussels Griffons adapt well to apartment living. However, Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
- Brussels Griffons 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 Brussels Griffon and the Harrier
The Brussels Griffon and the Harrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier are most similar:
- Both the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
- Both the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier get along well with other dogs.
- Both the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier are highly intelligent.
- Both the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
- Both the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
- Both the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
- Both the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier are very playful.
Size Comparison of Brussels Griffon versus Harrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Brussels Griffon and the Harrier.
Brussels Griffons weigh 7 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Brussels Griffons are 7 to 8 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 Brussels Griffon versus Harrier
The lifespan of Brussels Griffons is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Brussels Griffons is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
Brussels Griffons live longer than Harriers.
Health Problems of Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffon is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Brussels Griffon than for the Harrier.
6 health tests are recommended for Brussels Griffon while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Brussels Griffons and in Harriers.
Brussels Griffon Health Problems
Brussels Griffons are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffon puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffons for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Brussels Griffons 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Brussels Griffon versus Harrier
Brussels Griffons do not like to be left alone.
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Brussels Griffons shed more than Harriers?
Brussels Griffons shed moderately.
Harriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Brussels Griffon or the Harrier
Brussels Griffons drool moderately.
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Brussels Griffon or the Harrier?
Brussels Griffons are moderately easy to groom.
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Does the Brussels Griffon Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
Brussels Griffons 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 Brussels Griffons Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
Brussels Griffons are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Brussels Griffons Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Brussels Griffons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Brussels Griffon vs. Harrier
Brussels Griffons 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 Brussels Griffons Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Brussels Griffons cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Brussels Griffon or the Harrier?
Brussels Griffons get along very well with other dogs.
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Brussels Griffons good family dogs? What about Harriers?
Brussels Griffons 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 Brussels Griffons and Harriers?
Brussels Griffons get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Brussels Griffon Easier to Train than the Harrier?
Brussels Griffons are fairly easy to train.
Harriers are not easy to train.
Is the Brussels Griffon Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?
Brussels Griffons adapt very well to apartment living.
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Brussels Griffon or the Harrier?
Brussels Griffons are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Brussels Griffon 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 Brussels Griffon and the Harrier better suits you and your family.