Which is Better between the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier? A Very Detailed Review.

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Fila Brasileiro versus Harrier

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Fila Brasileiro Versus Harrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro or the Harrier

Fila Brasileiro versus Harrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Fila Brasileiro is a giant-sized dog while the Harrier is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Fila Brasileiro belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Fila Brasileiro versus Harrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro Harrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Life Span 9 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Weight 90 to 180 pounds 45 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1270 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $1400 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    *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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro is 62 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 Fila Brasileiro. 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier

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

  • Fila Brasileiros are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Harriers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs. However, Harriers get along well with other dogs.
  • Fila Brasileiros not very playful. However, Harriers are very playful.

    • The Similarities Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier

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

  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier are not easy to train.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Fila Brasileiro versus Harrier

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

    Fila Brasileiros weigh 90 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Fila Brasileiros are 24 to 30 inches 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.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?

    Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Fila Brasileiros are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Fila Brasileiros cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Fila Brasileiros shed more than Harriers?

    Fila Brasileiros do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Easier to Train than the Harrier?

    Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train.

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Fila Brasileiro versus Harrier

    Fila Brasileiros can be left alone only for a short time.

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Fila Brasileiros can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Are Fila Brasileiros good family dogs? What about Harriers?

    Fila Brasileiros are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Fila Brasileiros and Harriers?

    Fila Brasileiros get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Which one drools more, the Fila Brasileiro or the Harrier

    Fila Brasileiros drool moderately.

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Fila Brasileiros Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?

    Fila Brasileiros bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Fila Brasileiro vs. Harrier

    Fila Brasileiros have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Fila Brasileiro or the Harrier?

    Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Fila Brasileiro Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?

    Fila Brasileiros 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Fila Brasileiro

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro:

  • Afador (75 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Afador.
  • Cane Corso (76 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Cane Corso.
  • Dogo Argentino (80 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Dogo Argentino.
  • Boerboel (78 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Boerboel.

    • 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 Fila Brasileiro vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Bluetick Coonhound.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Fila Brasileiro Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Fila Brasileiro versus Barbet     Fila Brasileiro versus Maltese     Fila Brasileiro versus Maremma Sheepdog     Fila Brasileiro versus Pomeranian     Fila Brasileiro versus Border Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus Bullmastiff     Fila Brasileiro versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Fila Brasileiro versus Australian Kelpie     Fila Brasileiro versus Frenchton     Fila Brasileiro versus Mountain Cur     

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Sheepadoodle     Harrier versus Hovawart     Harrier versus Field Spaniel     Harrier versus Cocker Spaniel     Harrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Harrier versus Cocker Spaniel     Harrier versus Japanese Spitz     Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Harrier versus Canaan Dog     Harrier versus Bedlington Terrier     

    Conclusion: Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Harrier better suits you and your family.