Beagle Harrier

Scenthound Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

Beagle Harriers were bred in France in the 19th Century. They were bred to hunt hare or deer in packs. They could be a mixture of the Beagle and the Harrier breeds, or they could be the mid-point between the two breeds, the truth is not really known. They were recognized by the FCI in 1974. The breed is very rare.

The Beagle Harrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club January 1, 1996.

General Appearance

A typical small foxhound, halfway in size between the smaller Beagle and the larger Harrier.

Characteristics

Energetic, determined, and loyal.

Head

SKULL

Rather broad. No prominence of occiput. The stop is not pronounced.

MUZZLE

Roughly equal in length to the skull. Never square; tapering without being pointed. The nasal bridge is straight, and the lips cover the lower jaw.

TEETH

The Beagle Harrier has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite.

Faults: Overshot or undershot.

NOSE

Black.

Fault: Butterfly nose.

EYES

Well open, and dark in color, with a frank, lively and intelligent expression.

EARS

Set at eye level, quite short and medium broad, the ears lie flat against the skull but turn slightly at the tips, which are rounded.

Neck

Well attached, and slightly arched.

Forequarters

The shoulders are long, oblique and muscular.

FORELEGS

Strong, straight and parallel.

Body

The ribs are moderately arched, and the sternum is long. The back is short, firm and muscular. The loin is strong and muscular, and may be slightly arched. There is very little tuck up.

Hindquarters

The hips are oblique and strong.

HIND LEGS

The upper thighs are fleshy and muscular. The hocks are close to the ground, and the rear pasterns are vertical.

Feet

Tight, with thick, hard pads.

Fault: Flat, splayed feet.

Tail

Set on high, long enough to reach the hock, and carried gaily in saber fashion.

Coat

Thick, not too short, and flat.

Color

Tri color, including grey tri color and white grey tri color.

Height

Height at the withers is from 18 to 20 inches.

Gait

Supple, lively, and sure footed.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.