Ariegeois

Bred for driving game and coursing, the Ariegeois is a medium-sized dog developed by crossing the Grand Gascon-Saintongeois and Grand Bleu de Gascogne with native Artois Hounds. It comes with a slightly domed skull, black nose, alert eyes, fine, supple, and long ears, relatively thin and arched neck, well-muscled back, well-proportioned and solidly built limbs, and a well-set tail. As a pack-hunting scenthound, the Ariegeois excels in pursuing hares, deer, and boar.

Ariegeois Pictures

History

The Ariegeois has been a popular hunting breed in its native land since its origin in the Ariege province of southwestern France during the early 20th century. The Federation Cynologique Internationale recognized it in 1954 while the United Kennel Club acknowledged it in 1993.

Temperament and Behavior

A natural hunter that can chase its prey quickly through the forests and the dry, rocky landscapes of its native land, the Ariegeois is renowned for its agility, endurance, powerful voice, and an excellent scenting ability.

Being an instinctive pack hound, it loves to hunt/work with other hunting breeds and their handlers.

Off the hunting fields, it makes a great companion for its family. As a loving pet, it gets along well with other dogs and kids in their household.

Care

• Exercise

• Grooming

• Health Problems

Since Ariegeois are willing workers, they need plenty of physical exercises. Aside from going on long walks, they love running freely in a fenced-in yard. You can also hide a treat-filled toy around the yard for your dog to find. Games like these will help your Ariegeois exercise its natural instincts.

The breed’s short coat does not need much grooming except for one or two brushings a week. Bathing is necessary only when its fur is dirty. Trimming its nails every month and brushing its teeth on a daily basis are the other grooming requirements.

Although a healthy breed, health issues like entropion, ectropion, distichiasis, progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, or skin allergies may occur in some dogs.

Training

The Ariegeois, being an independent hunter, needs fair, calm, and regular training.

Obedience training: Since the Ariegeois works away from its handler and can be stubborn at times, you should teach your dog to come to you when called. Make sure that you have high-value treats while motivating it to respond to your “come” command.

Leash training: Being a scent hound, your Ariegeois may instinctively follow interesting smells and pull the leash in the other direction. If you are having this issue while teaching your pet leash walking, stand still like a tree. Do not move until your pet dog moves toward you. Be sure not to jerk the leash, or drag your pet along with you. You can also use head hunters and front hook harnesses when teaching leash manners.

Feeding

An Ariegeois needs a diet with high fat and carbohydrate content for maintaining proper body weight and promoting optimal performance. You may give commercial dog foods containing fish oils, soybean oil, flax oil, chicken, beef, fish, egg, corn, oats, potato, and barley.