Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Toy Fox Terrier: Introduction
- Harrier versus Toy Fox Terrier: Overview
- Harrier versus Toy Fox Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Toy Fox Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Toy Fox Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Toy Fox Terrier
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Toy Fox Terrier
- Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Toy Fox Terrier
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Toy Fox Terrier
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Toy Fox Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Toy Fox Terrier
- Do Harriers shed more than Toy Fox Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Toy Fox Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Toy Fox Terrier?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Toy Fox Terrier?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Toy Fox Terriers?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Toy Fox Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Toy Fox Terrier
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Toy Fox Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Toy Fox Terrier?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Toy Fox Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Toy Fox Terriers?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Toy Fox Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Toy Fox Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Toy Fox Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Toy Fox Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier.
Harrier versus Toy Fox Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Harrier and the Toy Fox Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Toy Fox Terrier is a tiny-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 Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier to the Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier
| Factor | Harrier | Toy Fox Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 13 to 14 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 3 to 7 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $875 – $1200 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1100 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 111 |
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 Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Toy Fox Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Toy Fox Terrier
The Harrier and the Toy Fox Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Toy Fox Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Toy Fox Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Toy Fox 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, Toy Fox Terriers weigh 3 to 7 pounds when fully grown. Toy Fox Terriers are 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Harrier versus Toy Fox Terrier
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Toy Fox Terriers is between 13 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Toy Fox Terriers is 13.5 years.
Toy Fox Terriers live longer than Harriers.
Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Toy Fox Terrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Toy Fox 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, Toy Fox Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Moe Would Love To Meet You! is a Male Toy Fox Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Toy Fox Terriers like Moe Would Love To Meet You! that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Chris In Tx is an adorable Male Toy Fox Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Harriers and Toy Fox Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Toy Fox Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Toy Fox Terrier is 111 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 Toy Fox Terrier
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Toy Fox Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 107 |
| 2014 | 181 | 115 |
| 2015 | 183 | 110 |
| 2016 | 186 | 116 |
| 2017 | 183 | 112 |
| 2018 | 189 | 111 |
| 2019 | 186 | 107 |
| 2020 | 190 | 113 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Toy Fox Terrier than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Toy Fox Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Toy Fox 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.
Toy Fox Terrier Health Problems
Toy Fox Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Toy Fox Terriers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier Breed is Spinocerebellar Ataxia problems.
This is because the Toy Fox Terrier ranks 3 out of 4 dog breeds for Spinocerebellar Ataxia problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 236 Toy Fox Terriers, 3 of them had Spinocerebellar Ataxia problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Toy Fox Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Toy Fox Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Toy Fox Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Toy Fox Terrier:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Toy Fox Terrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Spinocerebellar Ataxia problems | Not Common | 3 out of 4 dog breeds |
| Primary Lens Luxation problems | Not Common | 10 out of 17 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 21 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 Toy Fox Terrier
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Toy Fox Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Harriers shed more than Toy Fox Terriers?
Harriers shed moderately.
Toy Fox Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Toy Fox Terrier
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Toy Fox Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Toy Fox Terrier?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Toy Fox Terriers are very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Toy Fox 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.
Toy Fox Terriers 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 Toy Fox Terriers?
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Toy Fox Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Toy Fox Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Toy Fox Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Toy Fox Terrier
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Toy Fox Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Toy Fox Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Toy Fox Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Toy Fox Terrier?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Toy Fox Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Toy Fox Terriers?
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Toy Fox Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Toy Fox Terriers?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Toy Fox Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Toy Fox Terrier?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Toy Fox Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Toy Fox Terrier?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Toy Fox Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Toy Fox Terrier?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Toy Fox 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Toy Fox Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Toy Fox Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Toy Fox Terrier to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo Harrier versus Cockalier Harrier versus West Highland White Terrier Harrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever Harrier versus Cocker Spaniel Harrier versus Westiepoo Harrier versus Bracco Italiano Harrier versus Goldendoodle Harrier versus Belgian Sheepdog Harrier versus Goldador Harrier versus Afador Harrier versus Pomsky Harrier versus American Foxhound Harrier versus Irish Setter Harrier versus Berger Picard Harrier versus Westiepoo Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo Harrier versus Goldendoodle Harrier versus Akita Harrier versus Pointer Harrier versus Stabyhoun Harrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Harrier versus Ibizan Hound Harrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo
Toy Fox Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Toy Fox Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound Toy Fox Terrier versus Labrador Retriever Toy Fox Terrier versus Australian Terrier Toy Fox Terrier versus Chi-Poo Toy Fox Terrier versus Maltipoo Toy Fox Terrier versus Bracco Italiano Toy Fox Terrier versus Dogo Argentino Toy Fox Terrier versus Lhasa Apso Toy Fox Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog Toy Fox Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro Toy Fox Terrier versus Maltipoo Toy Fox Terrier versus Manchester Terrier Toy Fox Terrier versus American Bulldog Toy Fox Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Toy Fox Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux Toy Fox Terrier versus Labradoodle Toy Fox Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli Toy Fox Terrier versus Bloodhound Toy Fox Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel Toy Fox Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer Toy Fox Terrier versus Manchester Terrier Toy Fox Terrier versus Lhasa Apso Toy Fox Terrier versus Bloodhound Toy Fox Terrier versus Australian Shepherd
Conclusion: Harrier versus Toy Fox 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 Toy Fox Terrier better suits you and your family.