Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Introduction
- Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Overview
- Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Do Harriers shed more than Staffordshire Bull Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Staffordshire Bull Terriers?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Staffordshire Bull Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier? 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier
| Factor | Harrier | Staffordshire Bull Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 14 to 16 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 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 24 to 38 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1000 – $2425 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1890 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 80 |
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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
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, Staffordshire Bull Terriers weigh 24 to 38 pounds when fully grown. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Staffordshire Bull Terriers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Staffordshire Bull Terriers is 13.0 years.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers live longer than Harriers.
Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Staffordshire Bull Terriers 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, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Fabio is a Male Staffordshire Bull Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Staffordshire Bull Terriers like Fabio that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Franko is an adorable Male Staffordshire Bull Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Harriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 80 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Staffordshire Bull Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 79 |
| 2014 | 181 | 79 |
| 2015 | 183 | 79 |
| 2016 | 186 | 82 |
| 2017 | 183 | 82 |
| 2018 | 189 | 80 |
| 2019 | 186 | 82 |
| 2020 | 190 | 81 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 7 tests are recommended for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
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.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Health Problems
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Staffordshire Bull Terriers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers
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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the Staffordshire Bull Terrier ranks 17 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Staffordshire Bull Terriers, 1 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Staffordshire Bull Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | 69 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 17 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 21 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 23 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 105 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 126 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Harriers shed more than Staffordshire Bull Terriers?
Harriers shed moderately.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers drool moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
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.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers 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 Staffordshire Bull Terriers?
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Staffordshire Bull Terriers?
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Staffordshire Bull Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus American Water Spaniel Harrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff Harrier versus Chorkie Harrier versus Shiranian Harrier versus Coton de Tulear Harrier versus Manchester Terrier Harrier versus Kooikerhondje Harrier versus Australian Shepherd Harrier versus Papillon Harrier versus Sealyham Terrier Harrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Harrier versus Bedlington Terrier Harrier versus Shiba Inu Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog Harrier versus Dachshund Harrier versus Mastiff Harrier versus Italian Greyhound Harrier versus Kishu Ken Harrier versus American Foxhound Harrier versus Beaglier Harrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever Harrier versus Spanish Mastiff Harrier versus Whoodle Harrier versus Cavapoo Harrier versus Pug
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus French Bulldog Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Boerboel Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Pomapoo Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Manchester Terrier Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Shih Tzu Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Puggle Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Kishu Ken Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Basset Hound Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Lhasa Apso Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Japanese Spitz Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Plott Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Bichon Frise Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Peek A Poo Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Biewer Terrier Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Border Terrier Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer
Conclusion: Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier better suits you and your family.