Breed Comparison: Harrier Versus Pharaoh Hound

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Harrier Versus Pharaoh Hound: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound. 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 Pharaoh Hound.

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 Pharaoh Hound.

Harrier versus Pharaoh Hound

Harrier versus Pharaoh Hound: Overview

Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound are similar in size. The Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound are Hound Dogs. This means both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier to the Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound

Factor Harrier Pharaoh Hound
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 11 to 14 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 5/5
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 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds 45 to 55 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
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 12.5 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
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 183 168

    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 Pharaoh Hound. 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 Pharaoh Hound is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pharaoh Hound is a better pet than the Harrier. So, you should get the Pharaoh Hound!

    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 Pharaoh Hound so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound

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

  • Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Pharaoh Hounds adapt well to apartment living.
  • Harriers 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. However, Pharaoh Hounds are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Harriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Pharaoh Hounds have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound

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

  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound are not easy to train.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Pharaoh Hound

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

    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, Pharaoh Hounds weigh 45 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Pharaoh Hounds are 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Harrier versus Pharaoh Hound

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

    The lifespan of Pharaoh Hounds is between 11 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Pharaoh Hounds is 12.5 years.

    Pharaoh Hounds live longer than Harriers.

    Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Pharaoh Hound

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Pharaoh Hounds 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, Pharaoh Hounds are also available for adoption. For example, Ruffles is a Male Pharaoh Hound that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pharaoh Hounds like Ruffles that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Pilot is the name of another Harrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Harriers and Pharaoh Hounds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Pharaoh Hound

    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 Pharaoh Hound over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pharaoh Hound is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pharaoh Hound is 168 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 Harrier

    Popularity of Pharaoh Hound

    Popularity of Pharaoh Hound

    Year Harrier Popularity Rank Pharaoh Hound Popularity Rank
    2013 173 160
    2014 181 164
    2015 183 171
    2016 186 168
    2017 183 174
    2018 189 172
    2019 186 161
    2020 190 180

    Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Pharaoh Hound

    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 Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pharaoh Hound than for the Harrier.

    2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Pharaoh Hound.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Pharaoh Hounds.

    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:

  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.

    Pharaoh Hound Health Problems

    Pharaoh Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pharaoh Hound 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 Pharaoh Hounds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pharaoh Hounds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Pharaoh Hounds

    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:

  • Hips problems: Rank 76 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Pharaoh Hound Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Pharaoh Hound ranks 18 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 220 Pharaoh Hounds, 18 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pharaoh Hounds, and how common these diseases are in Pharaoh Hounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 18 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 60 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 69 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 86 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 184 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Pharaoh Hound and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Pharaoh Hound:

    Disease Harrier Rank Pharaoh Hound Rank
    Hips problems 76 out of 198 dog breeds 184 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 18 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 60 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 69 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 86 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 Pharaoh Hound

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Pharaoh Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Harriers shed more than Pharaoh Hounds?

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Pharaoh Hounds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Pharaoh Hound

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pharaoh Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Pharaoh Hound?

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Pharaoh Hounds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pharaoh Hound?

    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.

    Pharaoh Hounds 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 Pharaoh Hounds?

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

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

    Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Pharaoh Hounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Pharaoh Hound

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

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

    Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pharaoh Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Pharaoh Hounds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Pharaoh Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Pharaoh Hounds?

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

    Pharaoh Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Pharaoh Hounds?

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

    Pharaoh Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Pharaoh Hound?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Pharaoh Hounds are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Pharaoh Hound?

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pharaoh Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Pharaoh Hounds 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:

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Pharaoh Hound vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Pharaoh Hound vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Pharaoh Hound vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Pharaoh Hound vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pharaoh Hound

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

  • Italian Greyhound (76 percent match with Pharaoh Hound). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Italian Greyhound.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (75 percent match with Pharaoh Hound). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Tibetan Spaniel (75 percent match with Pharaoh Hound). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Tibetan Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Labrador Retriever     Harrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Harrier versus Labrador Retriever     Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Harrier versus Sheepadoodle     Harrier versus Basenji     Harrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Harrier versus Dalmatian     Harrier versus Chinook     Harrier versus Welsh Terrier     Harrier versus Cane Corso     Harrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Harrier versus Papillon     Harrier versus Alaskan Malamute     Harrier versus Lhasa Apso     Harrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Harrier versus Havanese     Harrier versus Cesky Terrier     Harrier versus American Eskimo Dog     Harrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Harrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Harrier versus Swedish Vallhund     Harrier versus Patterdale Terrier     Harrier versus Shiba Inu     Harrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     

    Pharaoh Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pharaoh Hound versus Welsh Terrier     Pharaoh Hound versus Westiepoo     Pharaoh Hound versus American Eskimo Dog     Pharaoh Hound versus Border Collie     Pharaoh Hound versus Great Pyrenees     Pharaoh Hound versus Newfoundland     Pharaoh Hound versus Maremma Sheepdog     Pharaoh Hound versus Miniature Schnauzer     Pharaoh Hound versus Shetland Sheepdog     Pharaoh Hound versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Pharaoh Hound versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Pharaoh Hound versus Pointer     Pharaoh Hound versus Westiepoo     Pharaoh Hound versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Pharaoh Hound versus Lowchen     Pharaoh Hound versus Boerboel     Pharaoh Hound versus Australian Kelpie     Pharaoh Hound versus Siberian Husky     Pharaoh Hound versus Saluki     Pharaoh Hound versus Sheepadoodle     Pharaoh Hound versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Pharaoh Hound versus English Toy Spaniel     Pharaoh Hound versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Pharaoh Hound versus Australian Cattle Dog     Pharaoh Hound versus Collie     

    Conclusion: Harrier versus Pharaoh Hound. 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 Pharaoh Hound better suits you and your family.