Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Leonberger: Introduction
- Harrier versus Leonberger: Overview
- Harrier versus Leonberger: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Leonberger
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Leonberger
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Leonberger
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Leonberger
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Leonberger
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Leonberger
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Leonberger
- Do Harriers shed more than Leonbergers?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Leonberger
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Leonberger?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Leonberger?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Leonbergers?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Leonbergers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Leonberger
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Leonberger?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Leonbergers?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Leonbergers?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Leonberger?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Leonberger
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Leonberger. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Leonberger: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Leonberger? 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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Leonberger 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 Leonberger. 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 Leonberger.
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 Leonberger.
Harrier versus Leonberger: Overview
A very important difference between the Harrier and the Leonberger is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Leonberger is a giant-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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier to the Leonberger 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 Leonberger
| Factor | Harrier | Leonberger |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 120 to 170 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| 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 | 11.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $300 – $1150 |
| Average Price | No Data | $870 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 97 |
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 Leonberger. 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 Leonberger is 63 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Leonberger. 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 Leonberger so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Leonberger
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Leonberger are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Leonberger
The Harrier and the Leonberger are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Leonberger are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Leonberger
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Leonberger.
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, Leonbergers weigh 120 to 170 pounds when fully grown. Leonbergers are 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Harrier versus Leonberger
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Leonbergers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Leonbergers is 11.0 years.
The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Leonberger
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 Leonberger over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Leonberger is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Leonberger is 97 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 Leonberger
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Leonberger Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 98 |
| 2014 | 181 | 104 |
| 2015 | 183 | 93 |
| 2016 | 186 | 95 |
| 2017 | 183 | 100 |
| 2018 | 189 | 93 |
| 2019 | 186 | 95 |
| 2020 | 190 | 98 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Leonberger
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 Leonberger 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 Leonberger is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Leonberger than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 10 tests are recommended for the Leonberger.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Leonbergers.
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.
Leonberger Health Problems
Leonbergers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Leonberger 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 Leonberger puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Leonberger 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 Leonbergers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Leonbergers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Leonbergers
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 Leonberger Breed is Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems.
This is because the Leonberger ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1600 Leonbergers, 22 of them had Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Leonbergers, and how common these diseases are in Leonbergers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Leonberger and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Leonberger:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Leonberger Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | 83 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Leonberger Polyneuropathy 1 problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2 problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Leukoencephalomyelopathy problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 20 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 34 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 38 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 41 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 74 out of 144 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 Leonberger
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Leonbergers do not like to be left alone.
Do Harriers shed more than Leonbergers?
Harriers shed moderately.
Leonbergers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Leonberger
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Leonbergers drool moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Leonberger?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Leonbergers are very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Leonberger?
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.
Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers?
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Leonbergers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Leonbergers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Leonbergers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Leonberger
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Leonbergers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Leonberger?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Leonbergers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Leonbergers?
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Leonbergers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Leonbergers?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Leonbergers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Leonberger?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Leonbergers are not easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Leonberger?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Leonberger?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Leonbergers 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 Leonberger
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Leonberger 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 Leonberger:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Leonberger compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Leonberger to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Basenji Harrier versus Barbet Harrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Harrier versus Biewer Terrier Harrier versus Valley Bulldog Harrier versus German Longhaired Pointer Harrier versus Chinook Harrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog Harrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Harrier versus Gordon Setter Harrier versus American Water Spaniel Harrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Harrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever Harrier versus Scottish Terrier Harrier versus Fila Brasileiro Harrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Harrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound Harrier versus Redbone Coonhound Harrier versus Belgian Malinois Harrier versus Doberman Pinscher Harrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever Harrier versus Shichon Harrier versus Dachshund Harrier versus Berger Picard Harrier versus Boxerdoodle
Leonberger Versus Other Dog Breeds
Leonberger versus Pomapoo Leonberger versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Leonberger versus Beagle Leonberger versus Westiepoo Leonberger versus Shih Tzu Leonberger versus Bulldog Leonberger versus Hovawart Leonberger versus Schnoodle Leonberger versus Lancashire Heeler Leonberger versus Boxerdoodle Leonberger versus Fila Brasileiro Leonberger versus Standard Poodle Leonberger versus Chi-Poo Leonberger versus Dutch Shepherd Leonberger versus Spanish Mastiff Leonberger versus Cocker Spaniel Leonberger versus Goldendoodle Leonberger versus Beaglier Leonberger versus Dutch Shepherd Leonberger versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Leonberger versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Leonberger versus Miniature Pinscher Leonberger versus Cavapoo Leonberger versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Leonberger versus Shihpoo
Conclusion: Harrier versus Leonberger. 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 Leonberger better suits you and your family.