Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Irish Wolfhound: Introduction
- Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound: Overview
- Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound
- Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Irish Wolfhound
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Irish Wolfhound
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound
- Do Harriers shed more than Irish Wolfhounds?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Irish Wolfhound
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Irish Wolfhound?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Wolfhound?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Irish Wolfhound
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Irish Wolfhound?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Irish Wolfhounds?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Irish Wolfhound?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Irish Wolfhound: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound? 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound. 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 Irish Wolfhound.
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 Irish Wolfhound.
Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound: Overview
A very important difference between the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Irish Wolfhound is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound are Hound Dogs. This means both the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound 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.
Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound
| Factor | Harrier | Irish Wolfhound |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 6 to 8 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 115 to 180 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 7.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1500 – $2400 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1930 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 73 |
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 Irish Wolfhound. 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 Irish Wolfhound is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Wolfhound is a better pet than the Harrier. So, you should get the Irish Wolfhound!
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 Irish Wolfhound so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound
The Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound.
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, Irish Wolfhounds weigh 115 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Irish Wolfhounds are 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 years.
Harriers live longer than Irish Wolfhounds.
Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Irish Wolfhound
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Irish Wolfhounds 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 Harrier named Bailey that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Harriers like Bailey on pefinder.com.
Also, like Harriers, Irish Wolfhounds are also available for adoption. For example, Tex is a Male Irish Wolfhound that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Irish Wolfhounds like Tex that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Pilot is the name of another Harrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Action Jackson is an adorable Male Irish Wolfhound on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Harriers and Irish Wolfhounds that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Irish Wolfhound
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 Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Wolfhound is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Wolfhound is 73 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Harrier
Popularity of Irish Wolfhound
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Irish Wolfhound Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 73 |
| 2014 | 181 | 72 |
| 2015 | 183 | 69 |
| 2016 | 186 | 73 |
| 2017 | 183 | 73 |
| 2018 | 189 | 76 |
| 2019 | 186 | 76 |
| 2020 | 190 | 74 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound
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 Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Wolfhound than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Irish Wolfhound.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Irish Wolfhounds.
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.
Irish Wolfhound Health Problems
Irish Wolfhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Wolfhounds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Irish Wolfhounds
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:
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 Irish Wolfhound Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the Irish Wolfhound ranks 11 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 682 Irish Wolfhounds, 12 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Wolfhounds, and how common these diseases are in Irish Wolfhounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Irish Wolfhound and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Irish Wolfhound:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Irish Wolfhound Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | 164 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 11 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 12 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 34 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 50 out of 182 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: Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.
Do Harriers shed more than Irish Wolfhounds?
Harriers shed moderately.
Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Irish Wolfhound
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Irish Wolfhound?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Wolfhound?
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.
Irish Wolfhounds 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 Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Irish Wolfhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Irish Wolfhound
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Wolfhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Irish Wolfhound?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Irish Wolfhounds?
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Wolfhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Irish Wolfhounds?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Wolfhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Irish Wolfhound?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Wolfhound?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Irish Wolfhound?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Irish Wolfhounds 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Irish Wolfhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Irish Wolfhound to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Fila Brasileiro Harrier versus Maltese Harrier versus Miniature Pinscher Harrier versus Scottish Terrier Harrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Harrier versus Affenpinscher Harrier versus English Cocker Spaniel Harrier versus Boxer Harrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff Harrier versus Labrador Retriever Harrier versus Keeshond Harrier versus Spanish Mastiff Harrier versus German Pinscher Harrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Harrier versus Boykin Spaniel Harrier versus Sloughi Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound Harrier versus Beaglier Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Harrier versus Chinese Crested Harrier versus Bracco Italiano Harrier versus Maremma Sheepdog Harrier versus Korean Jindo Dog Harrier versus Japanese Chin
Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Wolfhound versus Dogo Argentino Irish Wolfhound versus American Pit Bull Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Dogo Argentino Irish Wolfhound versus Finnish Spitz Irish Wolfhound versus Bolognese Irish Wolfhound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Irish Wolfhound versus Chi-Poo Irish Wolfhound versus Irish Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Lakeland Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Great Dane Irish Wolfhound versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Irish Wolfhound versus Tibetan Mastiff Irish Wolfhound versus Dachshund Irish Wolfhound versus Keeshond Irish Wolfhound versus Chorkie Irish Wolfhound versus Lhasa Apso Irish Wolfhound versus German Pinscher Irish Wolfhound versus Samoyed Irish Wolfhound versus Affenhuahua Irish Wolfhound versus Flat-Coated Retriever Irish Wolfhound versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Irish Wolfhound versus Standard Schnauzer Irish Wolfhound versus Beaglier Irish Wolfhound versus Portuguese Water Dog
Conclusion: Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound. 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 Irish Wolfhound better suits you and your family.