A Detailed Comparison of the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier.

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Harrier Versus Tibetan Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Tibetan 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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan Terrier.

Harrier versus Tibetan Terrier

Harrier versus Tibetan Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Tibetan 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 Tibetan Terrier belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Harrier versus Tibetan Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier to the Tibetan 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 Tibetan Terrier

Factor Harrier Tibetan Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 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 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds 20 to 24 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 1/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
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 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1500 – $2100
Average Price No Data $1930
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual recertification REQUIRED
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • NEURONAL CEROID LIPOFUSCINOSIS (NCL)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 183 94

    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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan Terrier is 85 out of 125.

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

    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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier are most different:

  • Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Tibetan Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Harriers are very easy to groom. However, Tibetan Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier

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

  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Tibetan Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Tibetan 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, Tibetan Terriers weigh 20 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Tibetan Terriers are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Harrier versus Tibetan Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Tibetan Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Tibetan Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Tibetan Terriers live longer than Harriers.

    Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Tibetan Terrier

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

    The Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also, Boo is an adorable Male Tibetan Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Harriers and Tibetan Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Tibetan 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 Tibetan Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Tibetan Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Tibetan Terrier is 94 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 Tibetan Terrier

    Popularity of Tibetan Terrier

    Year Harrier Popularity Rank Tibetan Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 173 88
    2014 181 88
    2015 183 90
    2016 186 91
    2017 183 101
    2018 189 96
    2019 186 101
    2020 190 99

    Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Tibetan 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 Tibetan 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 Tibetan Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Tibetan Terrier than for the Harrier.

    2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 8 tests are recommended for the Tibetan Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Tibetan 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:

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

    Tibetan Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual recertification REQUIRED
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • NEURONAL CEROID LIPOFUSCINOSIS (NCL)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Tibetan Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Tibetan 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:

  • 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 Tibetan Terrier Breed is Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (Tt) problems.

    This is because the Tibetan Terrier ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (Tt) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2930 Tibetan Terriers, 131 of them had Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (Tt) problems.

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

  • Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (Tt) problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 3 out of 8 Dog Breeds
  • Primary Lens Luxation problems: Rank 9 out of 17 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 10 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 10 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 23 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 31 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 72 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 142 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 153 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Tibetan Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Tibetan Terrier:

    Disease Harrier Rank Tibetan Terrier Rank
    Hips problems 76 out of 198 dog breeds 153 out of 198 dog breeds
    Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (Tt) problems Not Common 1 out of 1 dog breeds
    Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems Not Common 3 out of 8 dog breeds
    Primary Lens Luxation problems Not Common 9 out of 17 dog breeds
    Baer Hearing Test problems Not Common 10 out of 21 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 10 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 23 out of 145 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 31 out of 159 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 72 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 142 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 Tibetan Terrier

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Tibetan Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Harriers shed more than Tibetan Terriers?

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Tibetan Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Tibetan Terrier

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tibetan Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Tibetan Terrier?

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Tibetan Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Tibetan 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.

    Tibetan 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 Tibetan Terriers?

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

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

    Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Tibetan Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Tibetan Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Tibetan Terrier

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

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

    Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Tibetan Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Tibetan Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Tibetan Terrier?

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Tibetan Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Tibetan Terriers?

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

    Tibetan Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Tibetan Terriers?

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

    Tibetan Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Tibetan Terrier?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Tibetan Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Tibetan Terrier?

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Tibetan Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Tibetan Terrier?

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Tibetan 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 Tibetan Terrier:

  • Portuguese Water Dog (78 percent match with Tibetan Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Portuguese Water Dog.
  • Barbet (79 percent match with Tibetan Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Barbet.
  • Lakeland Terrier (79 percent match with Tibetan Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (78 percent match with Tibetan Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Barbet     Harrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Harrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Harrier versus Pomchi     Harrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Harrier versus Border Collie     Harrier versus Pekingese     Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Harrier versus King Shepherd     Harrier versus Dachshund     Harrier versus Weimaraner     Harrier versus Beaglier     Harrier versus Golden Retriever     Harrier versus Patterdale Terrier     Harrier versus Mastiff     Harrier versus Boerboel     Harrier versus Dogo Argentino     Harrier versus Brussels Griffon     Harrier versus Chinese Crested     Harrier versus French Bulldog     Harrier versus Finnish Lapphund     Harrier versus Kooikerhondje     Harrier versus Pomapoo     Harrier versus Cesky Terrier     Harrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     

    Tibetan Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Tibetan Terrier versus Pomsky     Tibetan Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel     Tibetan Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel     Tibetan Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Tibetan Terrier versus Westiepoo     Tibetan Terrier versus Pomeranian     Tibetan Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Tibetan Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Tibetan Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Tibetan Terrier versus Chorkie     Tibetan Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Tibetan Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Tibetan Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Tibetan Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Tibetan Terrier versus Skye Terrier     Tibetan Terrier versus Bulldog     Tibetan Terrier versus Coton de Tulear     Tibetan Terrier versus Goldador     Tibetan Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Tibetan Terrier versus Golden Retriever     Tibetan Terrier versus Sloughi     Tibetan Terrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Tibetan Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Tibetan Terrier versus Newfoundland     

    Conclusion: Harrier versus Tibetan 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 Tibetan Terrier better suits you and your family.