Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Italian Greyhound: Introduction
- Harrier versus Italian Greyhound: Overview
- Harrier versus Italian Greyhound: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Italian Greyhound
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Italian Greyhound
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Italian Greyhound
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Italian Greyhound
- Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Italian Greyhound
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Italian Greyhound
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Italian Greyhound
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Italian Greyhound
- Do Harriers shed more than Italian Greyhounds?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Italian Greyhound
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Italian Greyhound?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Italian Greyhound?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Italian Greyhounds?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Italian Greyhound
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Italian Greyhound?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Italian Greyhounds?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Italian Greyhounds?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Italian Greyhound?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Italian Greyhound
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Italian Greyhound. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Italian Greyhound: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Italian Greyhound? 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound. 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 Italian Greyhound.
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 Italian Greyhound.
Harrier versus Italian Greyhound: Overview
A very important difference between the Harrier and the Italian Greyhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Italian Greyhound is a small-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 Italian Greyhound 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.
Harrier versus Italian Greyhound: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier to the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound
| Factor | Harrier | Italian Greyhound |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 14 to 15 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 6 to 15 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 14.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1500 – $2250 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1930 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 70 |
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 Italian Greyhound. 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 Italian Greyhound is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Italian Greyhound is a better pet than the Harrier. So, you should get the Italian Greyhound!
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 Italian Greyhound so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Italian Greyhound
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Italian Greyhound are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Italian Greyhound
The Harrier and the Italian Greyhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Italian Greyhound are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Italian Greyhound
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Italian Greyhound.
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, Italian Greyhounds weigh 6 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Italian Greyhounds are 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Harrier versus Italian Greyhound
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is 14.5 years.
Italian Greyhounds live longer than Harriers.
Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Italian Greyhound
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Italian Greyhounds 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 Pilot that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Harriers like Pilot on pefinder.com.
Also, like Harriers, Italian Greyhounds are also available for adoption. For example, Niczu is a Male Italian Greyhound that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Italian Greyhounds like Niczu that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Bailey is the name of another Harrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Beamer (Houston) is an adorable Male Italian Greyhound on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Harriers and Italian Greyhounds that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Italian Greyhound
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 Italian Greyhound over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Italian Greyhound is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Italian Greyhound is 70 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 Italian Greyhound
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Italian Greyhound Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 66 |
| 2014 | 181 | 74 |
| 2015 | 183 | 71 |
| 2016 | 186 | 72 |
| 2017 | 183 | 74 |
| 2018 | 189 | 73 |
| 2019 | 186 | 67 |
| 2020 | 190 | 69 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Italian Greyhound
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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Italian Greyhound than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Italian Greyhound.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Italian Greyhounds.
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.
Italian Greyhound Health Problems
Italian Greyhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Italian Greyhounds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Italian Greyhounds
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 Italian Greyhound Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
This is because the Italian Greyhound ranks 3 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 96 Italian Greyhounds, 4 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Italian Greyhounds, and how common these diseases are in Italian Greyhounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Italian Greyhound and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Italian Greyhound:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Italian Greyhound Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 3 out of 32 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 30 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 58 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 62 out of 145 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 Italian Greyhound
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Italian Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.
Do Harriers shed more than Italian Greyhounds?
Harriers shed moderately.
Italian Greyhounds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Italian Greyhound
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Italian Greyhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Italian Greyhound?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Italian Greyhounds are very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Italian Greyhound?
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.
Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds?
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Italian Greyhounds bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Italian Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Italian Greyhound
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Italian Greyhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Italian Greyhounds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Italian Greyhound?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Italian Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Italian Greyhounds?
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Italian Greyhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Italian Greyhounds?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Italian Greyhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Italian Greyhound?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Italian Greyhounds are fairly easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Italian Greyhound?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Italian Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Italian Greyhound?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Italian Greyhounds are very good 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 Italian Greyhound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Italian Greyhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Italian Greyhound to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Boerboel Harrier versus Afghan Hound Harrier versus Norwegian Lundehund Harrier versus Shiloh Shepherd Harrier versus Alaskan Malamute Harrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Harrier versus Cavachon Harrier versus Azawakh Harrier versus Cairn Terrier Harrier versus Finnish Spitz Harrier versus French Bulldog Harrier versus Bordoodle Harrier versus Kuvasz Harrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever Harrier versus Shiba Inu Harrier versus Schipperke Harrier versus Carolina Dog Harrier versus Cavapoo Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog Harrier versus Coton de Tulear Harrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound Harrier versus Pointer Harrier versus Bich Poo Harrier versus Bichon Frise Harrier versus Morkie
Italian Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Italian Greyhound versus Cane Corso Italian Greyhound versus Shih Tzu Italian Greyhound versus Chihuahua Italian Greyhound versus Bichon Frise Italian Greyhound versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Italian Greyhound versus Aussiedoodle Italian Greyhound versus Dogue de Bordeaux Italian Greyhound versus Australian Shepherd Italian Greyhound versus Boston Terrier Italian Greyhound versus Korean Jindo Dog Italian Greyhound versus Ibizan Hound Italian Greyhound versus Shiloh Shepherd Italian Greyhound versus Standard Schnauzer Italian Greyhound versus American Hairless Terrier Italian Greyhound versus Toy Poodle Italian Greyhound versus Yorkshire Terrier Italian Greyhound versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Italian Greyhound versus Vizsla Italian Greyhound versus Frenchton Italian Greyhound versus Whippet Italian Greyhound versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Italian Greyhound versus Portuguese Water Dog Italian Greyhound versus Scottish Terrier Italian Greyhound versus Miniature Pinscher Italian Greyhound versus Chihuahua
Conclusion: Harrier versus Italian Greyhound. 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 Italian Greyhound better suits you and your family.