They adore children and love to play with them. However, they are so playful and high energy that they may knock over very small children and so should be well socialized. Harriers enjoy the company of other dogs, and do well with other animals if socialized to them as pups. However, they may chase cats if not raised with them. Harriers do fairly well in obedience training, although the scents of other animals may be distracting.
Harriers are ideal animals for rural environments.
However, they do not do well in apartments and may be unsuitable for suburban living if only a small yard is available for them to roam in. If Harriers are not exercised sufficiently, they may become stubborn and destructive. The Harrier is a moderately sized animal, reaching about 21 inches in height and weighing between 40 and 60 pounds. They resemble the English Foxhound, albeit somewhat smaller. They have a muscular body and a short, hard coat.