Dog fancier Sir Elias de Midhope, in developing thick, strong, hounds to work in packs hunting hare, establishes, in 1260, the Penistone, England’s first (known) pack of harriers.
The Penistone harriers resemble large beagles, plodding but agile, that can be followed on foot.
Over the centuries, they would spread out as a hunting dog throughout the west of England and into Wales.
There are many working Harriers in England although the breed is still not recognized in that country.
The Harrier is still fairly rare in the United States, but has a long history of popularity as a working pack dog in England.
