Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Scottish Deerhound: Introduction
- Harrier versus Scottish Deerhound: Overview
- Harrier versus Scottish Deerhound: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Scottish Deerhound
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Scottish Deerhound
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Scottish Deerhound
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Scottish Deerhound
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Scottish Deerhound
- Do Harriers shed more than Scottish Deerhounds?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Scottish Deerhound
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Scottish Deerhound?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Scottish Deerhound?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Scottish Deerhounds?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Scottish Deerhound
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Scottish Deerhound?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Scottish Deerhounds?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Scottish Deerhounds?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Scottish Deerhound?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Scottish Deerhound
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Scottish Deerhound. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Scottish Deerhound: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound? 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 Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound. 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 Scottish Deerhound.
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 Scottish Deerhound.
Harrier versus Scottish Deerhound: Overview
A very important difference between the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Scottish Deerhound is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound are Hound Dogs. This means both the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier to the Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound
| Factor | Harrier | Scottish Deerhound |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 8 to 11 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 75 to 110 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 9.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $975 – $975 |
| Average Price | No Data | $980 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 158 |
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 Scottish Deerhound. 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 Scottish Deerhound is 67 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Scottish Deerhound. 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 Scottish Deerhound so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound
The Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Scottish Deerhound
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound.
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, Scottish Deerhounds weigh 75 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Scottish Deerhounds are 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Harrier versus Scottish Deerhound
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is between 8 to 11 years. The average lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is 9.5 years.
Harriers live longer than Scottish Deerhounds.
The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Scottish Deerhound
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 Scottish Deerhound over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Scottish Deerhound is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Scottish Deerhound is 158 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 Scottish Deerhound
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Scottish Deerhound Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 165 |
| 2014 | 181 | 157 |
| 2015 | 183 | 152 |
| 2016 | 186 | 154 |
| 2017 | 183 | 168 |
| 2018 | 189 | 158 |
| 2019 | 186 | 149 |
| 2020 | 190 | 166 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Scottish Deerhound
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 Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Scottish Deerhound than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Scottish Deerhound.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Scottish Deerhounds.
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.
Scottish Deerhound Health Problems
Scottish Deerhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Scottish Deerhounds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Scottish Deerhounds
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 Scottish Deerhound Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the Scottish Deerhound ranks 4 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 148 Scottish Deerhounds, 5 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Scottish Deerhounds, and how common these diseases are in Scottish Deerhounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Scottish Deerhound and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Scottish Deerhound:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Scottish Deerhound Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 4 out of 159 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 Scottish Deerhound
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Scottish Deerhounds do not like to be left alone.
Do Harriers shed more than Scottish Deerhounds?
Harriers shed moderately.
Scottish Deerhounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Scottish Deerhound
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Scottish Deerhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Scottish Deerhound?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Scottish Deerhounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Scottish Deerhound?
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.
Scottish Deerhounds 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 Scottish Deerhounds?
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Scottish Deerhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Scottish Deerhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Scottish Deerhound
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Scottish Deerhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Scottish Deerhounds can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Scottish Deerhound?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Scottish Deerhounds do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Scottish Deerhounds?
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Scottish Deerhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Scottish Deerhounds?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Scottish Deerhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Scottish Deerhound?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Scottish Deerhounds are not easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Scottish Deerhound?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Scottish Deerhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Scottish Deerhound?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Scottish Deerhounds 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 Scottish Deerhound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Scottish Deerhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Scottish Deerhound to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo Harrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais Harrier versus Bouvier des Flandres Harrier versus Papipoo Harrier versus Ibizan Hound Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo Harrier versus Samoyed Harrier versus Cockalier Harrier versus Catahoula Bulldog Harrier versus American Hairless Terrier Harrier versus Collie Harrier versus English Springer Spaniel Harrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Harrier versus Shetland Sheepdog Harrier versus Cesky Terrier Harrier versus Shiba Inu Harrier versus Akbash Harrier versus Bloodhound Harrier versus Greyhound Harrier versus Pug Harrier versus Swedish Vallhund Harrier versus Cairn Terrier Harrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff Harrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever Harrier versus Finnish Lapphund
Scottish Deerhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Scottish Deerhound versus Black Mouth Cur Scottish Deerhound versus Cavachon Scottish Deerhound versus Airedale Terrier Scottish Deerhound versus Harrier Scottish Deerhound versus Leonberger Scottish Deerhound versus Greyhound Scottish Deerhound versus Akita Scottish Deerhound versus Shetland Sheepdog Scottish Deerhound versus Aussiedoodle Scottish Deerhound versus Belgian Tervuren Scottish Deerhound versus Lowchen Scottish Deerhound versus Chow Chow Scottish Deerhound versus Biewer Terrier Scottish Deerhound versus Rottweiler Scottish Deerhound versus Pomeranian Scottish Deerhound versus Italian Greyhound Scottish Deerhound versus Boxer Scottish Deerhound versus Pug Scottish Deerhound versus Tibetan Mastiff Scottish Deerhound versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Scottish Deerhound versus Bouvier des Flandres Scottish Deerhound versus American Hairless Terrier Scottish Deerhound versus Bich Poo Scottish Deerhound versus Bracco Italiano Scottish Deerhound versus Golden Retriever
Conclusion: Harrier versus Scottish Deerhound. 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 Scottish Deerhound better suits you and your family.