Last Updated: Mar 09, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Border Collie Versus Harrier: Introduction
- Border Collie versus Harrier: Overview
- Border Collie versus Harrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Harrier
- The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Harrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Border Collie versus Harrier
- Lifespan of Border Collie versus Harrier
- Adopting the Border Collie versus Adopting the Harrier
- The Popularity of Border Collie versus Popularity of Harrier
- Health Problems of Border Collie versus Health Problems of Harrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Harrier
- Do Border Collies shed more than Harriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Harrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Harrier?
- Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Harriers?
- Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Harrier?
- Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Harrier
- How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Harriers?
- Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
- Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Harrier
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Border Collie versus Harrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Border Collie Versus Harrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Border Collie and the Harrier? 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 Border Collie and the Harrier 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 Border Collie and the Harrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Border Collie and the Harrier 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 Border Collie and for the Harrier. 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 Border Collie and the Harrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Border Collie or the Harrier.
Note that the border collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth-coat border collie and the rough-coat border collie. Read our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.
Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.
Finally, just like the border collie, the collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough collie and the smooth collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.
Border Collie versus Harrier: Overview
Both the Border Collie and the Harrier are similar in size. The Border Collie and the Harrier are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Border Collie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, 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.
Border Collie versus Harrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Border Collie to the Harrier 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 Border Collie and the Harrier
| Factor | Border Collie | Harrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Height | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 30 to 45 pounds | 45 to 60 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1000 | No Data |
| Price Range | $600 – $1250 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 183 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Border Collie 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 Harrier. 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 Border Collie is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Harrier is 81 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Harrier, we still believe that the Border Collie is a better pet than the Harrier.
This is because Border Collies are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Border Collie will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Border Collie :-). We are for the Border Collie. So get a Border Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Harrier
Below is a list of where the Border Collie and the Harrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Harrier
The Border Collie and the Harrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Border Collie and the Harrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Border Collie versus Harrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Border Collie and the Harrier.
Border Collies weigh 30 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Border Collies are 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Here is our article on Border Collie size, Border Collie growth, and Border Collie weight.
Lifespan of Border Collie versus Harrier
The lifespan of Border Collies is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Border Collies is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
Border Collies live longer than Harriers.
Go to this article to learn more about Border Collie lifespan and how long Border Collie live.
Adopting the Border Collie versus Adopting the Harrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Border Collies and many Harriers 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 Border Collie named Tip that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Border Collies like Tip on pefinder.com.
Also, like Border Collies, Harriers are also available for adoption. For example, Zoomi is a Male Harrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Harriers like Zoomi that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Rocky is the name of another Border Collie (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Border Collies and Harriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Border Collie versus Popularity of Harrier
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 Border Collie and the Harrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Border Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Border Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Border Collie
Popularity of Harrier
| Year | Border Collie Popularity Rank | Harrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 44 | 173 |
| 2014 | 40 | 181 |
| 2015 | 38 | 183 |
| 2016 | 38 | 186 |
| 2017 | 38 | 183 |
| 2018 | 35 | 189 |
| 2019 | 33 | 186 |
| 2020 | 32 | 190 |
Health Problems of Border Collie versus Health Problems of Harrier
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 Border Collie and the Harrier 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 Border Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Border Collie than for the Harrier.
13 health tests are recommended for Border Collie while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Border Collies and in Harriers.
Border Collie Health Problems
Border Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Border Collie 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 Border Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Border Collie 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 Border Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Border Collies here.
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.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Border Collies and Harriers
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 Border Collie Breed is Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems.
This is because the Border Collie ranks 2 out of 3 dog breeds for Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 102 Border Collies, 1 of them had Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Border Collies, and how common these diseases are in Border Collies 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 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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Border Collie and in Harrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Border Collie and the Harrier:
`| Disease | Border Collie Rank | Harrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis problems | 2 out of 3 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 11 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 13 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Shoulder problems | 14 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 30 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 49 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 116 out of 198 dog breeds | 76 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 117 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 132 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 135 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
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: Border Collie versus Harrier
Border Collies do not like to be left alone.
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Border Collies shed more than Harriers?
Border Collies shed moderately.
Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Border Collies, and on how to groom a Border Collie
Harriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Harrier?
Border Collies are moderately easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a Border Collie, check out our article on how to groom a Border Collie.
Learn more on how to take care of a Border Collie here.
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Harrier?
Border Collies get along fairly well with other dogs.
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Harriers?
Border Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Border Collie make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about Border Collie temperament here.
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Harrier?
Border Collies are very easy to train.
Harriers are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Harrier
Border Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Harriers?
Border Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
Border Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
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.
Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
Border Collies are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Border Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Harrier
Border Collies have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Border Collies can tolerate hot weather.
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Border Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?
Border Collies do not adapt well to apartment living.
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Border Collie or the Harrier?
Border Collies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Border Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Harrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Border Collie to other breeds:
Border Collie versus Miniature Schnauzer Border Collie versus American Staffordshire Terrier Border Collie versus Azawakh Border Collie versus Australian Terrier Border Collie versus Akita Chow Border Collie versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Border Collie versus Bordoodle Border Collie versus Harrier Border Collie versus Chi-Poo Border Collie versus Border Collie Border Collie versus Chihuahua Border Collie versus Irish Terrier Border Collie versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Border Collie versus Golden Retriever Border Collie versus Estrela Mountain Dog Border Collie versus LabradoodleConclusion: Border Collie versus Harrier. 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 Border Collie and the Harrier better suits you and your family.
