Harrier hounds to 'upsize' border dogs

Harrier hounds look like a super-sized beagle. Photo / supplied

Harrier hounds may soon be helping to protect New Zealand's border from pests and diseases, the Ministry for Primary Industries says.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said it was currently trialing two harriers to see whether the breed could "upsize" detector dogs already in place.

The ministry currently uses beagles and labradors as biosecurity detector dogs, and runs a beagle breeding-programme.

The two harrier dogs, Morley and Muse, were described as "super-sized beagles".

Brett Hickman, MPI Detection Technology Manager said harriers were like beagles in appearance, only taller, and described them as "beagles on steroids".

"And similar to beagles, they have great drive, excellent noses for the food and plant materials we are looking for."

Mr Hickman said the harrier's extra height would come in handy with passengers carrying backpacks or with baggage stacked on trolleys, as reaching up to sniff baggage can strain the hind legs of beagles.

The New Zealand Hunts' Association, who were the New Zealand custodians for the harrier breed, have helped with the initiative, Mr Hickman said.

MPI recently announced a range of measures to make it harder for materials containing fruit fly to get past the border.

They have now introduced 100 per cent screening of all passengers and baggage by detector dogs.