Canaan Dog versus Harrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Canaan Dog Versus Harrier: Introduction

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

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

Canaan Dog versus Harrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Canaan Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Canaan Dog versus Harrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog and the Harrier

Factor Canaan Dog Harrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Height 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Weight 35 to 55 pounds 45 to 60 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $600 No Data
Price Range $600 – $600 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 176 183

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Harrier is 81 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Canaan Dog and the Harrier

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

  • Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Canaan Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Harriers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Canaan Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Canaan Dogs adapt well to apartment living. However, Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Canaan Dogs are very easy to train. However, Harriers are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Canaan Dog and the Harrier

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

  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Harrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Harrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Harrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Harrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Harrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Harrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Harrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Harrier are very playful.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Harrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Harrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Harrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Canaan Dog versus Harrier

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

    Canaan Dogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Canaan Dogs are 19 to 24 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 Canaan Dog versus Harrier

    The lifespan of Canaan Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Canaan Dogs is 13.5 years.

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

    Canaan Dogs live longer than Harriers.

    The Popularity of Canaan Dog versus Popularity of Harrier

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Canaan Dog and the Harrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Canaan Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Canaan Dog is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Harrier

    Year Canaan Dog Popularity Rank Harrier Popularity Rank
    2013 164 173
    2014 176 181
    2015 170 183
    2016 181 186
    2017 175 183
    2018 179 189
    2019 179 186
    2020 184 190

    Health Problems of Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.

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

    5 health tests are recommended for Canaan Dog while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.

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

    Canaan Dog Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Canaan Dogs 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Canaan Dogs and Harriers

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Canaan Dog Breed is Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    This is because the Canaan Dog ranks 33 out of 70 dog breeds for Degenerative Myelopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 300 Canaan Dogs, 15 of them had Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Canaan Dogs, and how common these diseases are in Canaan Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 33 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 36 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 95 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 131 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 137 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 185 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Harrier Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Hips problems: Rank 76 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Canaan Dog and in Harrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Canaan Dog and the Harrier:

    Disease Canaan Dog Rank Harrier Rank
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 33 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 36 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 95 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 131 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 137 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 185 out of 198 dog breeds 76 out of 198 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Canaan Dog versus Harrier

    Canaan Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Canaan Dogs shed more than Harriers?

    Canaan Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Canaan Dog or the Harrier

    Canaan Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Canaan Dog or the Harrier?

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Canaan Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?

    Canaan Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Canaan Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?

    Canaan Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Canaan Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Canaan Dog vs. Harrier

    Canaan Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Canaan Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Canaan Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Canaan Dogs good family dogs? What about Harriers?

    Canaan Dogs 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 Canaan Dogs and Harriers?

    Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Canaan Dog Easier to Train than the Harrier?

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to train.

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Canaan Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?

    Canaan Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Canaan Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Canaan Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Canaan Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Canaan Dog:

  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Canaan Dog). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Harrier:

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Canaan Dog and how the Harrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Canaan Dog and of the Harrier to other breeds:

    Canaan Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Canaan Dog versus Brittany     Canaan Dog versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Canaan Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Canaan Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Canaan Dog versus Spanish Mastiff     Canaan Dog versus Manchester Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Canaan Dog versus Affenpinscher     Canaan Dog versus Mountain Cur     Canaan Dog versus Giant Schnauzer     Canaan Dog versus Sloughi     Canaan Dog versus German Pinscher     Canaan Dog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Canaan Dog versus Scottish Deerhound     Canaan Dog versus Skye Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Keeshond     Canaan Dog versus Pointer     Canaan Dog versus Harrier     Canaan Dog versus Toy Fox Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Canaan Dog versus Puggle     Canaan Dog versus Irish Water Spaniel     Canaan Dog versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Canaan Dog versus Catahoula Bulldog     

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Harrier versus Lowchen     Harrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Harrier versus Mudi     Harrier versus Whoodle     Harrier versus Vizsla     Harrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Harrier versus Italian Greyhound     Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Harrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Harrier versus Shih Tzu     Harrier versus Plott     Harrier versus Vizsla     Harrier versus French Bulldog     Harrier versus Shetland Sheepdog     Harrier versus Irish Setter     Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Harrier versus Irish Setter     Harrier versus Saluki     Harrier versus Akbash     Harrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Harrier versus Weimaraner     Harrier versus Chow Chow     Harrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Harrier versus Shiba Inu     

    Conclusion: Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog and the Harrier better suits you and your family.