Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Introduction
- Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Overview
- Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Do Harriers shed more than Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Welsh Springer Spaniels?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel? 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.
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 Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Overview
Both the Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are similar in size. The Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are both medium-sized dogs.
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 Welsh Springer Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier to the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel
| Factor | Harrier | Welsh Springer Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 35 to 55 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 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | No Data |
| Average Price | No Data | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 128 |
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 Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel is 79 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel
The Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
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, Welsh Springer Spaniels weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Springer Spaniels are 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Welsh Springer Spaniels is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Welsh Springer Spaniels is 12.5 years.
Welsh Springer Spaniels live longer than Harriers.
Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Welsh Springer Spaniel
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Welsh Springer Spaniels 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, Welsh Springer Spaniels are also available for adoption. For example, Sage is a Male Welsh Springer Spaniel that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Welsh Springer Spaniels like Sage that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
You can find more Harriers and Welsh Springer Spaniels that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Welsh Springer Spaniel
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 Welsh Springer Spaniel over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is 128 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Welsh Springer Spaniel Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 124 |
| 2014 | 181 | 133 |
| 2015 | 183 | 128 |
| 2016 | 186 | 123 |
| 2017 | 183 | 133 |
| 2018 | 189 | 128 |
| 2019 | 186 | 130 |
| 2020 | 190 | 128 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Welsh Springer Spaniel
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 Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Welsh Springer Spaniel than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Welsh Springer Spaniels.
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.
Welsh Springer Spaniel Health Problems
Welsh Springer Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Welsh Springer Spaniels here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Welsh Springer Spaniels
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 Welsh Springer Spaniel Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Welsh Springer Spaniel ranks 12 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1309 Welsh Springer Spaniels, 125 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Welsh Springer Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Welsh Springer Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Welsh Springer Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Welsh Springer Spaniel:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Welsh Springer Spaniel Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | 111 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 12 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 81 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 118 out of 144 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Welsh Springer Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Do Harriers shed more than Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Harriers shed moderately.
Welsh Springer Spaniels shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Welsh Springer Spaniel
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Welsh Springer Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
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.
Welsh Springer Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Welsh Springer Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Welsh Springer Spaniel
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Welsh Springer Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Welsh Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Welsh Springer Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Welsh Springer Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Welsh Springer Spaniels?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Welsh Springer Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are very easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Welsh Springer Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Welsh Springer Spaniel?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are very good 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Welsh Springer Spaniel 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Welsh Springer Spaniel compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Welsh Springer Spaniel to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Norwegian Lundehund Harrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer Harrier versus Dutch Shepherd Harrier versus Portuguese Water Dog Harrier versus Japanese Spitz Harrier versus Fila Brasileiro Harrier versus Affenpinscher Harrier versus Bullmastiff Harrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever Harrier versus Dutch Shepherd Harrier versus Westiepoo Harrier versus Boxerdoodle Harrier versus American Water Spaniel Harrier versus Pomeranian Harrier versus Golden Retriever Harrier versus Great Dane Harrier versus Pekingese Harrier versus Korean Jindo Dog Harrier versus Papipoo Harrier versus Pointer Harrier versus Pharaoh Hound Harrier versus Miniature Poodle Harrier versus English Toy Spaniel Harrier versus Beaglier Harrier versus Saint Berdoodle
Welsh Springer Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Irish Terrier Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Pharaoh Hound Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Schnoodle Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Beaglier Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Chinook Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Finnish Spitz Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Patterdale Terrier Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Border Collie Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Irish Water Spaniel Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Kuvasz Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Goldador Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Goldador Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Rottweiler Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Standard Poodle Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Puli Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Mountain Cur Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle Welsh Springer Spaniel versus Yorkipoo
Conclusion: Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel. 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 Welsh Springer Spaniel better suits you and your family.