Clumber Spaniel versus Harrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Clumber Spaniel Versus Harrier: Introduction

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

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

Clumber Spaniel versus Harrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Clumber Spaniel 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.

Clumber Spaniel versus Harrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Clumber Spaniel 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 Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier

Factor Clumber Spaniel Harrier
Easy To Groom 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 8 inches tall at the s 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 85 pounds 45 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2130 No Data
Price Range $1650 – $2700 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Phosphatase 1 (PDP1)
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 138 183

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Clumber Spaniel 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 Clumber Spaniel is 75 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 Clumber Spaniel. 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 Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier

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

  • Clumber Spaniels require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Harriers are very easy to groom.
  • Clumber Spaniels are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Clumber Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Harriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Clumber Spaniels have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Harriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Clumber Spaniels have low exercise needs. However, Harriers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Clumber Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Clumber Spaniels have a very high tendency to drool. However, Harriers do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier

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

  • Both the Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Clumber Spaniel versus Harrier

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

    Clumber Spaniels weigh 55 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Clumber Spaniels 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 Clumber Spaniel versus Harrier

    The lifespan of Clumber Spaniels is between 12 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Clumber Spaniels is 12.0 years.

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

    Clumber Spaniels live longer than Harriers.

    The Popularity of Clumber Spaniel 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 Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Clumber Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Clumber Spaniel is 138 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Clumber Spaniel

    Popularity of Clumber Spaniel

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Harrier

    Year Clumber Spaniel Popularity Rank Harrier Popularity Rank
    2013 131 173
    2014 143 181
    2015 134 183
    2016 144 186
    2017 140 183
    2018 143 189
    2019 134 186
    2020 135 190

    Health Problems of Clumber Spaniel 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 Clumber Spaniel 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 Clumber Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.

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

    4 health tests are recommended for Clumber Spaniel while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.

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

    Clumber Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Phosphatase 1 (PDP1)
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Clumber Spaniels 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 Clumber Spaniels 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 Clumber Spaniel Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Clumber Spaniel ranks 9 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1237 Clumber Spaniels, 528 of them had Hips problems.

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

  • Hips problems: Rank 9 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 27 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 42 out of 144 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 Clumber Spaniel and in Harrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier:

    Disease Clumber Spaniel Rank Harrier Rank
    Hips problems 9 out of 198 dog breeds 76 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 27 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 42 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common

    *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: Clumber Spaniel versus Harrier

    Clumber Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Clumber Spaniels shed more than Harriers?

    Clumber Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Clumber Spaniel or the Harrier

    Clumber Spaniels have a very high tendency to drool.

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Clumber Spaniel or the Harrier?

    Clumber Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Clumber Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?

    Clumber Spaniels 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 Clumber Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?

    Clumber Spaniels 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 Clumber Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Clumber Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Clumber Spaniel vs. Harrier

    Clumber Spaniels 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 Clumber Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Clumber Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Clumber Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Clumber Spaniels good family dogs? What about Harriers?

    Clumber Spaniels 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 Clumber Spaniels and Harriers?

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

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

    Is the Clumber Spaniel Easier to Train than the Harrier?

    Clumber Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Clumber Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?

    Clumber Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Clumber Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Clumber Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Clumber Spaniel 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 Clumber Spaniel:

  • Cocker Spaniel (67 percent match with Clumber Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Cocker Spaniel.
  • 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 Clumber Spaniel vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Clumber Spaniel vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Clumber Spaniel vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Clumber Spaniel vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Clumber Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Clumber Spaniel versus Brittany     Clumber Spaniel versus Keeshond     Clumber Spaniel versus Papipoo     Clumber Spaniel versus Bich Poo     Clumber Spaniel versus Irish Terrier     Clumber Spaniel versus Cocker Spaniel     Clumber Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Clumber Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Clumber Spaniel versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Clumber Spaniel versus Havanese     Clumber Spaniel versus Pomeranian     Clumber Spaniel versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Clumber Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Clumber Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Clumber Spaniel versus Yorkshire Terrier     Clumber Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound     Clumber Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Clumber Spaniel versus Border Collie     Clumber Spaniel versus Chihuahua     Clumber Spaniel versus Great Pyrenees     Clumber Spaniel versus Border Terrier     Clumber Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer     Clumber Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Clumber Spaniel versus Shetland Sheepdog     Clumber Spaniel versus Brussels Griffon     

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Yorkshire Terrier     Harrier versus German Longhaired Pointer     Harrier versus Bernedoodle     Harrier versus Mountain Cur     Harrier versus Clumber Spaniel     Harrier versus Chi-Poo     Harrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Harrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Harrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Harrier versus Lhasapoo     Harrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Harrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Harrier versus Irish Water Spaniel     Harrier versus Beaglier     Harrier versus Puli     Harrier versus Sheepadoodle     Harrier versus Plott     Harrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Harrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Harrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Harrier versus Doberman Pinscher     Harrier versus Rottweiler     Harrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Harrier versus Akita     Harrier versus Affenhuahua     

    Conclusion: Clumber Spaniel 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 Clumber Spaniel and the Harrier better suits you and your family.