Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Toy Spaniel Versus Harrier: Introduction
- English Toy Spaniel versus Harrier: Overview
- English Toy Spaniel versus Harrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier
- The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Harrier
- The Popularity of English Toy Spaniel versus Popularity of Harrier
- Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Harrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Toy Spaniel versus Harrier
- How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Harriers?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Harrier
- Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Harrier
- Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Harrier?
- Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Harrier?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Harrier?
- Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
- Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Harriers?
- Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Harriers?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel versus Harrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Toy Spaniel Versus Harrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy 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 English Toy 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel or the Harrier
English Toy Spaniel versus Harrier: Overview
A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Harrier is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the English Toy Spaniel 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.
English Toy Spaniel versus Harrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Toy 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.
| Factor | English Toy Spaniel | Harrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 8 to 14 pounds | 45 to 60 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $2350 | No Data |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2525 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 134 | 183 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Toy 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 a English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Harrier is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the English Toy 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 English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier
Below is a list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier
The English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Harrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier.
English Toy Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. English Toy Spaniels are 10 to 11 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.
The Popularity of English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Toy Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the English Toy Spaniel is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
Popularity of Harrier
| Year | English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank | Harrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 135 | 173 |
| 2014 | 138 | 181 |
| 2015 | 129 | 183 |
| 2016 | 130 | 186 |
| 2017 | 134 | 183 |
| 2018 | 135 | 189 |
| 2019 | 139 | 186 |
| 2020 | 138 | 190 |
Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Harrier
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Toy Spaniel than for the Harrier.
4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Toy Spaniels and in Harriers.
English Toy Spaniel Health Problems
English Toy Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Toy Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Toy Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Harrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier:
| Disease | English Toy Spaniel Rank | Harrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 2 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 4 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 4 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | Not Common | 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: English Toy Spaniel versus Harrier
English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Harriers?
English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Harrier
English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Harrier
English Toy Spaniels 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.
Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Harrier?
English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Harriers are not easy to train.
Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?
English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Toy Spaniel or the Harrier?
English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Harrier?
English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Harrier?
English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
English Toy 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.
Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Harriers?
English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Harriers?
English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Harriers shed moderately.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Toy 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 English Toy 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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Toy Spaniel and how the Harrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and of the Harrier to other breeds:
English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Toy Spaniel versus Golden Retriever English Toy Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound English Toy Spaniel versus Cavachon English Toy Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog English Toy Spaniel versus Golden Cocker Retriever English Toy Spaniel versus Lowchen English Toy Spaniel versus Bordoodle English Toy Spaniel versus Shiba Inu English Toy Spaniel versus Collie English Toy Spaniel versus Biewer Terrier
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Harrier versus Bernedoodle Harrier versus Labrador Retriever Harrier versus Standard Poodle Harrier versus Boykin Spaniel Harrier versus Miniature Pinscher Harrier versus Cane Corso Harrier versus Pyredoodle Harrier versus Xoloitzcuintli Harrier versus Chi-Poo
Conclusion: English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Harrier better suits you and your family.