Quick Links: Table of Contents
- German Pinscher Versus Harrier: Introduction
- German Pinscher versus Harrier: Overview
- German Pinscher versus Harrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Pinscher and the Harrier
- The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Harrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Harrier
- Lifespan of German Pinscher versus Harrier
- Adopting the German Pinscher versus Adopting the Harrier
- The Popularity of German Pinscher versus Popularity of Harrier
- Health Problems of German Pinscher versus Health Problems of Harrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: German Pinscher versus Harrier
- Do German Pinschers shed more than Harriers?
- Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Harrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Harrier?
- Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
- Do German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Harrier
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Harrier?
- Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Harriers?
- How Kid-friendly are German Pinschers and Harriers?
- Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Harrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: German Pinscher versus Harrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
German Pinscher Versus Harrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Harrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher or the Harrier.
German Pinscher versus Harrier: Overview
Both the German Pinscher and the Harrier are similar in size. The German Pinscher and the Harrier are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the German Pinscher 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.
German Pinscher versus Harrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Harrier
| Factor | German Pinscher | Harrier |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 45 pounds | 45 to 60 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $2040 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1150 – $2688 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 135 | 183 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher is 78 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 German Pinscher. 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 German Pinscher and the Harrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Pinscher and the Harrier
Below is a list of where the German Pinscher and the Harrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Harrier
The German Pinscher and the Harrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Pinscher and the Harrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Harrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Pinscher and the Harrier.
German Pinschers weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. German Pinschers are 17 to 20 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 German Pinscher versus Harrier
The lifespan of German Pinschers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Pinschers is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
German Pinschers live longer than Harriers.
Adopting the German Pinscher versus Adopting the Harrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Pinschers and many Harriers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male German Pinscher named Remi that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Pinschers like Remi on pefinder.com.
Also, like German Pinschers, Harriers are also available for adoption. For example, Pilot is a Male Harrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Harriers like Pilot that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Skeeter is the name of another German Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Bailey is an adorable Male Harrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more German Pinschers and Harriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Harrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Pinscher is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of German Pinscher
Popularity of Harrier
| Year | German Pinscher Popularity Rank | Harrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 130 | 173 |
| 2014 | 141 | 181 |
| 2015 | 138 | 183 |
| 2016 | 146 | 186 |
| 2017 | 136 | 183 |
| 2018 | 134 | 189 |
| 2019 | 123 | 186 |
| 2020 | 139 | 190 |
Health Problems of German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Pinscher than for the Harrier.
4 health tests are recommended for German Pinscher while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Pinschers and in Harriers.
German Pinscher Health Problems
German Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Pinscher 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 German Pinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the German Pinscher ranks 11 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 77 German Pinschers, 2 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Pinschers, and how common these diseases are in German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher and in Harrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the German Pinscher and the Harrier:
| Disease | German Pinscher Rank | Harrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 11 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 15 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 56 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 95 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 110 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 196 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: German Pinscher versus Harrier
German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do German Pinschers shed more than Harriers?
German Pinschers shed moderately.
Harriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Harrier
German Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Harrier?
German Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Harrier
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
German Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Harrier?
German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Harriers?
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers and Harriers?
German Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Harrier?
German Pinschers are very easy to train.
Harriers are not easy to train.
Is the German Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?
German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Pinscher or the Harrier?
German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher:
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 German Pinscher and how the Harrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Pinscher and of the Harrier to other breeds:
German Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
German Pinscher versus Briard German Pinscher versus Shiba Inu German Pinscher versus Akita Chow German Pinscher versus Skye Terrier German Pinscher versus Bearded Collie German Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier German Pinscher versus Labrador Retriever German Pinscher versus Tibetan Mastiff German Pinscher versus Rhodesian Ridgeback German Pinscher versus Berger Picard German Pinscher versus American Staffordshire Terrier German Pinscher versus Lakeland Terrier German Pinscher versus Bolognese German Pinscher versus Australian Kelpie German Pinscher versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog German Pinscher versus Papillon German Pinscher versus Siberian Husky German Pinscher versus Dogue de Bordeaux German Pinscher versus English Cocker Spaniel German Pinscher versus Schnoodle German Pinscher versus Aussiedoodle German Pinscher versus Boykin Spaniel German Pinscher versus Estrela Mountain Dog German Pinscher versus Akita German Pinscher versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Silky Terrier Harrier versus Irish Terrier Harrier versus Basenji Harrier versus Bulldog Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Harrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Harrier versus Great Pyrenees Harrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Harrier versus Miniature Schnauzer Harrier versus Berger Picard Harrier versus Bordoodle Harrier versus Borzoi Harrier versus Basenji Harrier versus Black Mouth Cur Harrier versus American Bulldog Harrier versus Pekingese Harrier versus Afador Harrier versus Carolina Dog Harrier versus Sealyham Terrier Harrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog Harrier versus German Pinscher Harrier versus Akita Chow Harrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff Harrier versus Boston Terrier Harrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier
Conclusion: German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Harrier better suits you and your family.