A Detailed Comparison of the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli.

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Harrier Versus Xoloitzcuintli: Introduction

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

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

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 Xoloitzcuintli.

Harrier versus Xoloitzcuintli: Overview

Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli are similar in size. The Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier to the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli

Factor Harrier Xoloitzcuintli
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 14 to 20 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds 10 to 50 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 17.0 years
Price Range No Data $1000 – $2500
Average Price No Data $1890
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Opthalmologist
  • OFA Hip Evaluation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 183 138

    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 Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli

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

  • Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Xoloitzcuintlis adapt well to apartment living.
  • Harriers are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Xoloitzcuintlis are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Harriers get along well with other dogs. However, Xoloitzcuintlis do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Harriers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Xoloitzcuintlis are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli

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

  • Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli are not easy to train.
  • Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Xoloitzcuintli

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

    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, Xoloitzcuintlis weigh 10 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Xoloitzcuintlis are 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Harrier versus Xoloitzcuintli

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

    The lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is between 14 to 20 years. The average lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is 17.0 years.

    Xoloitzcuintlis live longer than Harriers.

    Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Xoloitzcuintli

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Xoloitzcuintlis 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, Xoloitzcuintlis are also available for adoption. For example, Vlad – Sanctuary – Sponsor My Care is a Male Xoloitzcuintli that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Xoloitzcuintlis like Vlad – Sanctuary – Sponsor My Care that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

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

    The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli

    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 Xoloitzcuintli over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Xoloitzcuintli is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Xoloitzcuintli is 138 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 Xoloitzcuintli

    Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli

    Year Harrier Popularity Rank Xoloitzcuintli Popularity Rank
    2013 173 139
    2014 181 142
    2015 183 135
    2016 186 139
    2017 183 143
    2018 189 140
    2019 186 137
    2020 190 131

    Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Xoloitzcuintli

    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 Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Xoloitzcuintli.

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

    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.

    Xoloitzcuintli Health Problems

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

  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Opthalmologist
  • OFA Hip Evaluation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Xoloitzcuintlis here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Xoloitzcuintlis

    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 Xoloitzcuintli Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Xoloitzcuintli ranks 55 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Xoloitzcuintlis, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 55 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Xoloitzcuintli and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Xoloitzcuintli:

    Disease Harrier Rank Xoloitzcuintli Rank
    Hips problems 76 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems Not Common 55 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 Xoloitzcuintli

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Harriers shed more than Xoloitzcuintlis?

    Harriers shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Xoloitzcuintli

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    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.

    Xoloitzcuintlis 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 Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

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

    Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Xoloitzcuintlis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Xoloitzcuintli

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

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

    Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Xoloitzcuintlis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

    Xoloitzcuintlis get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Xoloitzcuintlis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Harrier:

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Xoloitzcuintli vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Xoloitzcuintli vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Xoloitzcuintli vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Xoloitzcuintli vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Xoloitzcuintli

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

  • Glen of Imaal Terrier (70 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier.
  • Karelian Bear Dog (70 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Karelian Bear Dog.
  • Lhasapoo (71 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Lhasapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Harrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Harrier versus Maremma Sheepdog     Harrier versus Golden Retriever     Harrier versus Toy Poodle     Harrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Harrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Harrier versus Whoodle     Harrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Harrier versus Boerboel     Harrier versus Vizsla     Harrier versus Scottish Terrier     Harrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Harrier versus Chihuahua     Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Harrier versus Goldendoodle     Harrier versus Afghan Hound     Harrier versus Silky Terrier     Harrier versus Kishu Ken     Harrier versus Basset Hound     Harrier versus Cairn Terrier     Harrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Harrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Harrier versus Cavapoo     Harrier versus Pyredoodle     

    Xoloitzcuintli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Xoloitzcuintli versus King Shepherd     Xoloitzcuintli versus Karelian Bear Dog     Xoloitzcuintli versus German Longhaired Pointer     Xoloitzcuintli versus Silky Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus Mudi     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Xoloitzcuintli versus Japanese Chin     Xoloitzcuintli versus Tibetan Spaniel     Xoloitzcuintli versus Catahoula Bulldog     Xoloitzcuintli versus Australian Shepherd     Xoloitzcuintli versus Cocker Spaniel     Xoloitzcuintli versus Canaan Dog     Xoloitzcuintli versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Xoloitzcuintli versus Affenhuahua     Xoloitzcuintli versus Boxer     Xoloitzcuintli versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Xoloitzcuintli versus Chorkie     Xoloitzcuintli versus Black Russian Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus Black Russian Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus Finnish Lapphund     Xoloitzcuintli versus Finnish Spitz     Xoloitzcuintli versus Korean Jindo Dog     Xoloitzcuintli versus Schipperke     Xoloitzcuintli versus Boston Terrier     

    Conclusion: Harrier versus Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli better suits you and your family.