Is the Harrier Better than the Shiloh Shepherd as a Pet? Answer…

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Harrier Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd.

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 Shiloh Shepherd.

Harrier versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Harrier Shiloh Shepherd
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 14 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
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 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
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 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.5 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
    		•
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd

    Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd are most different:

  • Harriers are not easy to train. However, Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.
  • Harriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.

    • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd.

    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, Shiloh Shepherds weigh 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Shiloh Shepherds are 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Harrier versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    The lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is between 9 to 14 years . The average lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is 11.5 years.

    Shiloh Shepherds live longer than Harriers.

    Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Shiloh Shepherd than for the Harrier.

    2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Shiloh Shepherds.

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiloh Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Shiloh Shepherds

    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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 Dog Breeds

    • The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Harrier Rank Shiloh Shepherd Rank
    Hips problems 76 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 40 out of 70 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 97 out of 115 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 Shiloh Shepherd

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Harriers shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

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

    Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Shiloh Shepherds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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:

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Shiloh Shepherd vs Bluetick Coonhound.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiloh Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd:

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (78 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Labrador Retriever.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Collie     Harrier versus Manchester Terrier     Harrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Harrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Harrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Harrier versus Peek A Poo     Harrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Harrier versus Stabyhoun     Harrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Harrier versus Pug     Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Harrier versus Ibizan Hound     Harrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Harrier versus Kishu Ken     Harrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Harrier versus Maltipoo     Harrier versus Karelian Bear Dog     Harrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Harrier versus Skye Terrier     Harrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Harrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Harrier versus Saluki     Harrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Harrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus Sealyham Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Toy Fox Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Welsh Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Tibetan Mastiff     Shiloh Shepherd versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bull Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bolognese     Shiloh Shepherd versus Afghan Hound     Shiloh Shepherd versus English Setter     Shiloh Shepherd versus Boxer     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cairn Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Collie     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pekingese     Shiloh Shepherd versus Mudi     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chi-Poo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Ibizan Hound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Shiloh Shepherd versus Harrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Gordon Setter     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bichon Frise     Shiloh Shepherd versus Affenpinscher     Shiloh Shepherd versus Yorkshire Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Alaskan Malamute     Shiloh Shepherd versus West Highland White Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Patterdale Terrier     

    Conclusion: Harrier versus Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd better suits you and your family.