Last Updated: Jun 14, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Harrier: Introduction
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Harrier: Overview
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Harrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier
- The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier
- Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Harrier
- Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Harrier
- Adopting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Adopting the Harrier
- The Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Popularity of Harrier
- Health Problems of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Health Problems of Harrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Harrier
- Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Harriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Harrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Harrier?
- Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Harriers?
- Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Harrier?
- Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Harrier
- How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Harriers?
- Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
- Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
- Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Harrier
- Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Harrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Harrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Harrier.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Harrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Harrier is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
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.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Harrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier
| Factor | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Harrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 13 to 18 pounds | 45 to 60 pounds |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 9 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $2410 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1800 – $3000 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 17 | 184 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Harrier is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the Harrier. So, you should get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier
Below is a list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Harrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weighs 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Harrier weighs 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. The Harrier is 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Harrier
The lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is between 9 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12.0 years.
The lifespan of the Harrier is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Harrier is 11.0 years.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel live longer than the Harrier.
Adopting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Adopting the Harrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Camelot that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like Camelot on pefinder.com.
Also, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Harriers are also available for adoption. For example, Stumps is a Male Harrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Harriers like Stumps that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Drew is the name of another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Faucet is an adorable Male Harrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Harriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 184 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Popularity of Harrier
| Year | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Popularity Rank | Harrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 18 | 173 |
| 2014 | 19 | 181 |
| 2015 | 18 | 183 |
| 2016 | 19 | 186 |
| 2017 | 19 | 183 |
| 2018 | 18 | 189 |
| 2019 | 16 | 186 |
| 2020 | 17 | 190 |
| 2021 | 15 | 188 |
Health Problems of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel than for the Harrier.
4 health tests are recommended for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and in Harriers.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Problems
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed is Episodic Falling problems.
This is because the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Episodic Falling problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 454 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, 3 of them had Episodic Falling problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and in Harrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier:
| Disease | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rank | Harrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Episodic Falling problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Basic Cardiac problems | 3 out of 16 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 4 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 13 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 16 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 19 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 73 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 79 out of 198 dog breeds | 76 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 101 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 115 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
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: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Harrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Harriers?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.
Harriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Harrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Harrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Harriers?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Harrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.
Harriers are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Harrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Harriers?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Harrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Harrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel compares to other breeds aside from the Harrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to other breeds:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus French Bulldog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cockapoo Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Korean Jindo Dog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Affenhuahua Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cairn Terrier Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Whoodle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Hovawart Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Tibetan Terrier Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Schnoodle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Alaskan Malamute Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dalmatian Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bouvier des Flandres Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rottweiler
Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Harrier better suits you and your family.