Irish Jack Russell vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison

The Beagle Harrier, the breed that was made mixing the France Scent Hounds and a Beagle. It is not quite sure if this breed was made on purpose or the mix of the breeds happened and resulted in a great dog so the breeding continued. Since they are not large dogs as hounds, they are used to hunt small animals.

This first breeding took place in England, but after the 14th century, they were breed on purpose in France.

Originating in the United States of America, the Irish Jack Russell, also known as Short Jack Russells, was bred to bring about a calmer temperament and to also have a dog with shorter legs.

Always a working dog, breeders of the Irish Jack Russell wanted to create a dog with less of a hunting instinct in him and have a dog which would be more companionable.

These Irish Jack Russells look much like your regular Jack Russell but are more of a companion dog than a hunting dog. The Irish Jack Russell doesn’t adhere to any existing Jack Russell breed standard and isn't really recognized at major dog clubs and kennels. The truth of the whole matter is that there are different kinds of Jack Russells and different names given to them to differentiate between the taller Jack Russell and the short legged one. The shorter Jack Russell Terriers are known by many names such as Irish Jack Russell and Shorty Jack Russells.

The Beagle Harrier is a scent hound that is described as a big sized Beagle or a small sized Harrier. This breed was developed from this two breeds, actually. Despite the looks of these breeds, the Beagle Harrier is an energetic kind of dog who gets very attached to his family. This medium sized pet comes in variations of colours and they are usually tricoloured. They usually have dark coloured eyes, white paws, and They usually grow up to have a very muscular body, but, if you don’t provide them with the daily activity they need, they will quickly get obese and unhappy.

Irish Jack Russells are small dogs standing at roughly 18 to 35cm and weighing in the region of 5 to 8kg for both males and females.

He looks much like your regular Jack Russell but he has shorter legs, and where the regular Jack Russell has an essentially white coat with orange-tan patches, the Irish Jack Russell can be solid tan or other color variations such as red, brindle, black and tan.

The coat can be short or fairly long and coarse. The Irish Jack Russell is a sturdy, compact dog with a flat skull, brown eyes and ears which are semi-erect, semi-floppy. He has a bright, alert, intelligent look on his face. The tail is set fairly high and has always been docked but these days it is inclined to be left long, taking away from the dog’s nice compact look.

Temperament:

The Irish Jack Russell is perhaps more placid than the regular Jack Russell and that is why he can adapt to life in the city or in the country. They’re intelligent dogs and therefore easy to train and have socialized.

Even though he is a small dog, training and socialization is important as he is a feisty, stubborn, know-it-all little dog. These are dogs which can become possessive of their owner and they can become quite aggressive when protecting their family. He is a highly trainable dog but it is important to have him trained as he tends to be aggressive with other dogs.

He is busy, active, happy and inquisitive and will require regular exercise to prevent him becoming restless and destructive. He has been a working terrier and he always wants to be busy.

Children friendliness

The Beagle Harrier, if trained properly and socialized while he was still a pup, will be the great playmate for any child. They get along with strangers, as well. We might say that they will get along with anybody who is ready to run and play with him. Children are most likely that kind of playdate, so it appears that they like children more. The Beagle Harrier is a great family pet, and he is great with babies, toddlers, teenagers… so don’t be afraid to leave the dog alone during the playdate!

Special talents

hunting, scent tracking, search dog

Adaptability

Some will say that the Beagle Harrier is one of the most desirable pets because of his loving and lively nature. They get along with almost anyone and they don’t mind living indoors if you have the time to take him out for a daily run each day. They will do great in a large group of people and any public places so you can take your Beagle Harrier with you anywhere you go.

Learning ability

Since the Beagle Harrier is placed in a group of the hound dogs, you must be aware that he will have the attitude of the pack leader. Once you got the Beagle Harrier puppy, you must start training and socializing him in order to grow the pet that will be easy to handle and accepted by the family and all the people around you, even strangers. They are very intelligent and they have a calm nature so they will be quite easy to train.

The Irish Jack Russell is a self-confident, energetic dog who will like nothing more than to be involved with everything you’re doing. The busier he is the better, and because he has strong hunting instincts you may find him digging in your garden for rats.

Have him trained and socialized if you want to avoid certain problems with him and remember to exercise him and provide him with the attention he craves.

He is a social dog and will pine away if you just leave him to get by on his own. Make sure that he becomes every bit as part of your family as everyone else and he promises to make you a loyal, devoted companion.

Dysplasia

Almost every active dog suffers from joint diseases. Even though it’s generally a genetic disease, you can lower the chances of hip or elbow dysplasia by taking care of your dog’s weight, diet and daily exercise.

Ear infections

The Beagle Harrier has big ears that are always set down. That makes them ideal for the dirt accumulation, ear irritations and ear infections. Check his ears regularly and clean them at least once a week.

Your Irish Jack Russell is a dog that doesn’t battle with too many health issues, but nonetheless you still need to watch out for common health problems.

Jack Russell terriers are generally a healthy breed that can live up to 14 years of age, but still every dog is prone to the more common dog problems such as hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections and dental disease among others.

If your Irish Jack Russell is in pain, he is lethargic and sick, don’t delay – take him to the vet right away.

Diet tips

Since the Beagle Harrier is an active dog breed, they will need food for the active dogs. Make sure you provide them with quality food that will give them enough strength to get through the very active day, and not gain too much of the weight. It is very important that you don’t overfeed him because this breed quickly becomes obese. It is advisable to use treats while you train him to do new tricks, but be very careful with the amount you give to the dog.

Puppies need to be fed only two times a day. Once you decide which brand of food you will use, stick with them until the dog is 6 months old. Make sure they have enough nutrients and the quality ingredients that will help them with growing strong and healthy bones.

Points for Good Health

If you want Beagle Harrier to grow up in a happy and healthy dog, make sure you provide him with quality food, lots of exercises and unconditional love. They are extremely loving and they get depressed if left alone. Grooming tips are very clear – they need a regular brush because shed a lot. The more you brush, the less hair you will find on your hands during the belly rubs.

Games and Exercises

If your Beagle Harrier is trained and socialized, the dog park will be the best daily activity for him. If there is no dog park near your house, take him to the bike ride, jogging, swimming, hiking, markets, parks… They love to be off the leash and with people but since they are the hound dogs, don’t be surprised if they get distracted by smelling something more interesting than the ball. They would love to grow up in a house with a large yard, but, if you live in the apartment, make sure that you take time for his daily activity.

Grooming:

The Irish Jack Russell is an average shedder with his short or longish coat which is easy to groom, requiring a brush once or twice a week. His nails grow quickly too and they can get caught on something and cause him damage. Trim your pet’s nails to prevent this.

Diet:

Feed your Irish Jack Russell good quality dog food each day. If you feed him commercially manufactured dog food, be certain to check the feeding instructions on the packaging.

He is a small dog, and overfeeding can be just as bad as under-feeding. It’s never a good idea to just go on and on feeding your pet dry or wet kibble day after day. Add in some cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables as a treat and to also provide some variety for him.

Also a little bit of raw meat occasionally can do him the world of good and you’ll see the appreciation in his bright eyes and wagging tail.