Ariegeois dog

Overall description of the breed

The Ariegeois is a remarkable hunting dog from the Ariège region of France. The breed is the result of meticulous and rigorous selection by Élie de Vézins, to produce a dog with exceptional flair, capable of tracking game through the steep, wooded terrain of the Pyrenees.

The history of the Ariégeois dates back to the 19th century, when local breeders began crossing local hounds such as the Grand Gascon Saintongeois and the Bleu de Gascogne. The aim was to create a versatile hunting dog with an excellent sense of smell and great endurance.

The morphology of the Ariégeois is typical of medium-sized hounds. They have a well proportioned head with long, floppy ears and lively, expressive eyes. Their body is well built, muscular and elegant, with a harmonious outline that gives them both speed and agility.

As far as character is concerned, the Ariegeois is renowned for being a friendly, affectionate and sociable dog. They generally get on well with family members, including children, and can also be pleasant companions with other animals if properly socialised from an early age. Because of their gentle temperament, they are also popular as companion dogs.

As hunting dogs, Ariegeois are passionate and determined. They have a strong tracking instinct and excel at finding game, especially hares and roe deer. Their keen sense of smell enables them to follow a trail over long distances, and their stamina enables them to pursue their prey relentlessly.

In terms of physical specifications, the average weight of the Ariegeois is between 25 and 30 kg (55 and 66 pounds) for males, and between 20 and 25 kg (44 and 55 pounds) for females. The height at the withers is around 52 to 58 cm (20 to 23 inches) for males, and 50 to 56 cm (20 to 22 inches) for females.

The Ariegeois breed standard allows for a variety of coat colours, including white with black or orange patches, as well as tan markings on the eyes and cheeks.

The founding breed club for the Ariégeois is the Club du chien d'Ariège (CCA), which was set up to promote and preserve the breed. The breed standard was established in 1886.

The F.C.I. recognised the Ariegeois definitively on 1 October 1954, and the most recent update of the official standard was published on 24 January 1996. The breed is included in Group 6 (Hounds, Bloodhounds and related breeds) of the FCI classification. This recognition has enabled the Ariégeois to gain notoriety and become a much-loved breed not only in France, but also in other countries around the world, where it is appreciated for its versatility, gentle character and exceptional hunting skills.