Official ICCF Breed Standard
Brief Historical Summary
The Harrier is an ancient English hound breed, developed in Great Britain as a pack-hunting dog for hare. Its origins trace back to the Middle Ages, when monastic kennels bred dogs capable of working for long hours on the scent, maintaining a steady pace and consistent movement over varied terrain. The Harrier was historically positioned between the Beagle and the Foxhound, combining endurance, speed, and a more compact size suitable for dense cover and hilly landscapes. In the 17th–19th centuries the breed became widespread and was used in foot packs, where its voice, persistence, and accuracy in scent work were highly valued. Today the Harrier is rare, but it retains its natural working qualities, friendly disposition, and high trainability.
General Appearance
The Harrier is a medium-sized, strong, dry, and well-balanced hound with pronounced endurance and a harmonious body. The outline is slightly elongated, with smooth and stable body lines. The head is proportional and elegant, without coarseness. The topline is straight; the chest is deep; the limbs are long, dry, and strong. The tail is of medium length, carried confidently, slightly curved without sabre-shaping or excessive curvature. The dog gives the impression of agility, liveliness, and constant readiness for work. All proportions highlight the ability for long-distance running and steady scent-tracking. The typical look combines lightness, a stable temperament, and expressive working style.
Important Proportions
The Harrier should demonstrate a harmonious ratio of body length to height, with a slightly elongated format. Chest depth reaches the elbow, providing breathing capacity during prolonged work. Skull and muzzle are approximately equal in length; the stop is soft but distinct. The neck is long, dry, and well integrated with the shoulders. The shoulder blade is oblique, and the length of the upper arm matches it, creating an optimal angle. Thighs and lower thighs are long and muscular, providing a strong drive. All proportions aim at economical movement, endurance, and the ability to maintain speed and agility during extended hunts.
Behavior and Temperament
The Harrier is cheerful, balanced, and sociable, traits shaped by centuries of pack work. It is a friendly, confident breed, free of aggression or excessive suspicion. In the hunt the Harrier shows persistence, strong working drive, a notable voice, and the ability to stay focused on the scent for long periods. At home the breed is social, attentive to its owner, enjoys shared activity, and gets along well with children. The Harrier is intelligent and easily trained, but requires gentle, consistent handling. With proper socialization the breed remains stable and predictable in behavior. Regular physical activity is essential to prevent boredom and hyperactivity.
Head
The Harrier’s head is proportional, dry, noble, slightly elongated, without heaviness. The skull is moderately broad with slight rounding, without sharp lines. The stop is soft but noticeable, forming a clean transition to the muzzle. The muzzle is strong, slightly elongated, with a straight profile. Lips are dry and tight, not pendulous. Jaws are strong, with a full complement of teeth and a scissor bite. Nose is large with well-opened nostrils, dark in pigmentation. Eyes are expressive, dark, with a soft, friendly expression. Ears are set moderately low, hanging, thin, soft in texture, lying close to the head. The head must express the breed’s working nature and friendly character.
Foreface
The foreface is elongated, dry, clean in shape, without heaviness. The muzzle is straight and strong, tapering slightly toward the nose but not pointed. Jaws are well developed and powerful, enabling a firm grip during work. Lips are thin, tight, without drooping. The nose is large with wide nostrils, pigmented black or dark. The suborbital region is dry, without excessive fullness. The transition from skull to muzzle is soft, giving the smooth profile typical of English hounds. Facial lines must be clean and harmonious, reinforcing the breed’s functional purpose and precision in scent perception.
Eyes
Eyes are oval, medium-sized, set moderately wide, giving a soft, friendly, attentive expression. The look is lively and intelligent, reflecting the breed’s balanced temperament. Eye color is predominantly dark brown; lighter shades are acceptable if harmonious with the coat, but never glassy or overly bright. Eyelids are dry, tight, and well pigmented, without loose edges or drooping. Undesirable are overly large, round, or protruding eyes, and weak eyelid pigmentation, as these distort breed expression. Correct eyes emphasize the calm confidence typical of working English hounds.
Ears
Ears are hanging, moderately long, thin, soft in texture, lying close to the sides of the head. Set moderately low, at or just below eye level. Tips are rounded; the ear shape is elongated without excessive width. At rest the ears hang naturally without folds; when alert they may tilt slightly forward. Undesirable are short, thick, stiff ears, or excessively long ears that appear heavy. Correct ears complete the breed’s characteristic outline and emphasize the Harrier’s soft, friendly temperament.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, dry, strong, slightly arched, widening toward the shoulders. It must be long enough to allow free movement of the head during scent work, but not overly extended. Musculature is well developed but not coarse, adding to the breed’s endurance. The neck is set moderately high and creates a harmonious transition into the body. Skin is clean, without dewlap or folds. Too short, thick, or excessively long necks disrupt balance and reduce functionality. A correct neck highlights the Harrier’s elegance and working style, maintaining the natural blend of strength and flexibility.
Body
The body of the Harrier is strong, balanced, and functional, reflecting its working purpose. The topline is straight and stable, without sagging or arching. Withers moderately defined; back strong, medium length, muscular. The loin is short, broad, slightly convex, providing efficient transfer of drive from the hindquarters. The chest is deep to the elbow; ribs well sprung but not barrel-shaped, ensuring adequate volume without heaviness. The underline is well tucked; abdomen lifted, emphasizing the dry format. The croup is moderately long, slightly sloping, and muscular. Undesirable are weak topline, narrow chest, looseness, or excessive length. The body must show endurance and stability during prolonged movement.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, reaching the hock or slightly below. Set moderately high, carried confidently, straight or slightly curved in a gentle arc. During movement it should not rise above the topline or curl into a ring. The tip is slightly pointed; hair is short and dense. Undesirable are excessively short or long tails, kinks, thickening, high or low carriage, or stiff unnatural movement. A correct tail enhances the breed silhouette, reflects its working purpose, and maintains balance in motion.
Forequarters
Forequarters are straight, strong, dry, and parallel, providing stability and endurance over varied terrain. Shoulder blades are long, well laid back, fitting tightly with well-defined but not coarse musculature. The upper arm matches the shoulder blade in length and forms the correct angle for good reach. Elbows point straight back, without turning in or out. Forearms are straight, strong, of adequate length. Wrists are firm and resilient; pasterns slightly sloping, flexible but not weak. Faults include crooked limbs, weak joints, elbow deviation, and excessively soft or straight pasterns.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are strong, well angulated, providing powerful drive and stability during long runs. Thighs are long and muscular but not coarse; they form an efficient lever for movement. Lower thighs are also long and dry, creating harmonious angles with the stifle. Hocks are low-set, strong, neither turning inward nor outward, and parallel when viewed from behind. Rear pasterns are short, vertical, resilient. Undesirable are weak joints, cow-hocks, bow-hocks, insufficient musculature, or exaggerated angulation. Correct hindquarters support economy, endurance, and smooth movement during extended scent work.
Gait / Movement
The Harrier’s gait must be free, even, steady, and economical, reflecting the working nature of a hound. At the trot the dog moves straight, with good reach in front and strong drive behind. The topline remains stable; movement is balanced and rhythmic. At the gallop the Harrier shows speed, suppleness, and agility in direction changes while maintaining body control. Undesirable are stiffness, short steps, crossing limbs, body roll, or weak rear drive. Correct gait emphasizes endurance, precision, and the ability to follow scent over long distances.
Coat
The coat is short, dense, straight, and close-lying, with a resilient texture that protects against weather and vegetation during hunting. Undercoat is moderate or sparse depending on climate. Coat should not be soft, long, or wavy; curly or tangled texture is unacceptable. The coat must cover the body evenly, highlighting the dry, working format. On the ears and head the hair is shorter but must not be sparse. Undesirable are bald patches, uneven length, or excessive harshness. A proper coat ensures easy maintenance and demonstrates natural suitability for active work.
Permissible Colors
All traditional hound colors are permitted, provided they are clean, even, and harmonious. Common colors include tricolor, bicolor (white-red, white-black, white-fawn), and solid red or fawn. White markings may appear on the chest, head, legs, and tail tip. Unacceptable colors include merle, blue, chocolate, liver, and overly diluted or “dirty” shades. Pigmentation of nose, lips, and eyelids must be dark and even. Color must enhance the natural working type and not disrupt the silhouette.
Size
The Harrier is a medium-sized hound with noticeable but not exaggerated sexual dimorphism. Height at the withers is typically 48–55 cm for males and 45–50 cm for females. Weight is proportional to size and format, generally 20–30 kg, maintaining dryness and working condition. Balance is essential: the dog must not be overly light or excessively massive. Size must ensure endurance, speed, and agility required for long-distance hunting. Excessive size or smallness are faults when they compromise functionality or type.
Faults
Faults include any deviations affecting harmony but not destroying breed type. Slight narrowness of chest, insufficient rib spring, a slightly long or soft loin. Mild elbow deviation, weak pasterns, minor limb misalignment. Slightly light eyes, ears somewhat longer or lower than ideal. Minor gait irregularities: short stride, mild stiffness, or weak reach. Underdeveloped musculature in young dogs. Slight lack of pigment on nose or eyelids not affecting health. The degree and functional impact of faults must always be considered.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations that undermine breed type or working capability. Aggression, extreme shyness, or behavior preventing examination. Complete or significant depigmentation of nose, lips, or eyelids; pink nose in dark-coated dogs. Unaccepted colors: merle, blue, chocolate, or any non-typical coloration, and excessive white affecting balance. Incorrect bite: overshot, undershot, level bite, or missing teeth beyond allowance. Hanging ears of incorrect shape, lack of close fit, folds, or stiff cartilage. Severe limb deformities, pronounced gait abnormalities, joint instability, congenital defects, or signs of mixed origin. Any condition compromising working ability leads to disqualification.
Important Notes
The Harrier is a working English hound, and functionality must be prioritized over ornamentation. Excessive mass, overly short muzzle, exaggerated angulation, or too loose skin are undesirable, as they impair natural working style. Temperament is important: the Harrier is friendly, energetic, and social, so excessive suspicion or aloofness should be considered undesirable. Young dogs may show developmental variations—insufficient muscle, soft body lines, unstable movement—but correct format, pigmentation, and breed expression must remain. The primary goal is to preserve health, working qualities, and natural balance.
Conclusion
The Harrier is a versatile, enduring hound bred for long-distance scent work, and every aspect of its structure and behavior must reflect this functionality. The key overall impression is harmony, strength, agility, and expressive working manner. Evaluation must consider silhouette, anatomical correctness, clean lines, stable temperament, and free, economical movement. Exaggerations that compromise endurance or balance are unacceptable. The Harrier must retain its natural lightness, strength, and energy, while remaining a friendly, social companion. Breeding aims include maintaining health, stable breed type, functionality, and high working ability while preserving the historic character of the breed.
