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

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Harrier Versus Hovawart: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Hovawart 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 Harrier and for the Hovawart. 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 Harrier and the Hovawart.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Harrier or the Hovawart.

Harrier versus Hovawart

Harrier versus Hovawart: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Hovawart 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.

Harrier versus Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier to the Hovawart 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 Harrier and the Hovawart

Factor Harrier Hovawart
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 29 inches
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 Hovawart. 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 Harrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Hovawart. 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 Harrier and the Hovawart so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Hovawart

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

  • Harriers get along well with other dogs. However, Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Harriers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Hovawarts are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Hovawart

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

  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart are not easy to train.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Harrier and the Hovawart are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Hovawart

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

    Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Harrier versus Hovawart

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

    The lifespan of Hovawarts is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Hovawarts is 12.0 years.

    Hovawarts live longer than Harriers.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Hovawart

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Harriers shed more than Hovawarts?

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Hovawart

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Hovawart?

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    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.

    Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

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

    Hovawarts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Hovawart

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

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

    Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Hovawarts can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Hovawarts?

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

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

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Hovawart

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

  • Catahoula Leopard Dog (78 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Catahoula Leopard Dog.
  • Spanish Mastiff (81 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Spanish Mastiff.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Harrier versus Borzoi     Harrier versus Ibizan Hound     Harrier versus Lhasapoo     Harrier versus Mountain Cur     Harrier versus Bolognese     Harrier versus Lowchen     Harrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Harrier versus Chi-Poo     Harrier versus German Longhaired Pointer     Harrier versus Miniature Pinscher     Harrier versus Whippet     Harrier versus Berger Picard     Harrier versus Ibizan Hound     Harrier versus Beaglier     Harrier versus Affenhuahua     Harrier versus Lowchen     Harrier versus Maltese     Harrier versus Sheepadoodle     Harrier versus Beaglier     Harrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Harrier versus Boxerdoodle     Harrier versus Finnish Lapphund     Harrier versus Vizsla     Harrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     

    Hovawart Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Hovawart versus Standard Poodle     Hovawart versus Tibetan Spaniel     Hovawart versus Bulldog     Hovawart versus American Foxhound     Hovawart versus Goldador     Hovawart versus Boerboel     Hovawart versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Hovawart versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Hovawart versus Bich Poo     Hovawart versus Chow Chow     Hovawart versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Hovawart versus Norwich Terrier     Hovawart versus English Toy Spaniel     Hovawart versus Collie     Hovawart versus Black Russian Terrier     Hovawart versus Australian Terrier     Hovawart versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Hovawart versus Shihpoo     Hovawart versus Azawakh     Hovawart versus Basset Hound     Hovawart versus Stabyhoun     Hovawart versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Hovawart versus Patterdale Terrier     Hovawart versus Chi-Poo     Hovawart versus Harrier     

    Conclusion: Harrier versus Hovawart. 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 Harrier and the Hovawart better suits you and your family.