Is the English Foxhound or the Harrier better for families with children?

The Harrier tends to be the more naturally child-friendly of the two, though both can do well in family homes with early socialization.

Which sheds more, the English Foxhound or the Harrier?

The English Foxhound and Harrier shed a similar amount (medium).

Which is easier to train, the English Foxhound or the Harrier?

The Harrier is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.

Is English Foxhound or Harrier bigger?

English Foxhound is the larger breed; Harrier is smaller and more compact.

Which barks more, English Foxhound or Harrier?

Both bark a similar amount (high).

Which is better for apartment living, English Foxhound or Harrier?

For apartment or apartment living, Harrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

English Foxhound vs Harrier: Which Trains Easier?

English Foxhound vs Harrier: full comparison

Trait	English Foxhound	Harrier
Size	Large	Medium
Energy level	Very High	Very High
Trainability	Low	Medium
Friendliness	Very High	Very High
Good with children	High	Very High
Grooming needs	Low	Low
Shedding	Medium	Medium
Barking	High	High
Protectiveness	Low	Low
Adaptability	Low	Low
Typical lifespan	11 years	12 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Key differences at a glance

The English Foxhound is a larger dog than the Harrier, which affects space, food and exercise needs.

Size and living space

The English Foxhound is a big, substantial dog that wants a roomier home and ideally a yard to move around in. By comparison, the Harrier is a mid-sized breed that settles into most homes, although a yard makes life easier. If space, transport or budget are tight, the smaller of the two is the more practical choice.

Exercise and energy needs

The English Foxhound is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. The Harrier is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The English Foxhound needs only light grooming, a brush once or twice a week and sheds a moderate amount, with heavier seasonal moults. The Harrier needs only light grooming, a brush once or twice a week and sheds a moderate amount, with heavier seasonal moults. Grooming upkeep is similar for both.

Temperament, training and family life

The English Foxhound takes a little persistence to train but responds to consistency, is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you and suits families with children particularly well. The Harrier is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. On guarding instinct, English Foxhound shows limited protectiveness and is friendly to callers, whereas Harrier shows limited protectiveness and is friendly to callers.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Harrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Harrier has the edge, being the more naturally child-friendly and sociable of the two.
For first-time dog owners, Harrier has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, English Foxhound has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, English Foxhound and Harrier are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the English Foxhound if you want a bigger, more substantial dog.

Choose the Harrier if you want the more child-friendly companion, you want an easier dog to train, or you want a smaller, more apartment-friendly dog.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the English Foxhound or the Harrier better for families with children?: The Harrier tends to be the more naturally child-friendly of the two, though both can do well in family homes with early socialization.
Which sheds more, the English Foxhound or the Harrier?: The English Foxhound and Harrier shed a similar amount (medium).
Which is easier to train, the English Foxhound or the Harrier?: The Harrier is generally the easier of the two to train, making it a better pick for less experienced owners.
Is English Foxhound or Harrier bigger?: English Foxhound is the larger breed; Harrier is smaller and more compact.
Which barks more, English Foxhound or Harrier?: Both bark a similar amount (high).
Which is better for apartment living, English Foxhound or Harrier?: For apartment or apartment living, Harrier has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

English Foxhound vs Harrier