Ariège Pointer Dog Breed: Facts, Traits, Character and Look

The Ariège Pointers developed in the Ariègeois region of France, from which they got their name. They originated back in the 19th Century from the old French Braque dogs. Breeders crossed the old French Braque with the white and orange Southern Braques. They aimed to bring activity and lightness into the Ariège Pointer breed. Other names these pointers go by including Ariège Pointing Dog, French Pointer, the Ariègeois Pointing Dog, Braque de l’Ariège (French).

Developed as a continental pointing breed, they proved to be very agile and energetic with an excellent sense of smell. These dogs were sought-after, skilled retrievers and were perfect as hunting companions for quail, wild hares, and partridge hunters. All Ariège Pointer dogs are typically employed as gun dogs, and it would be unusual for families to have them solely as companion dogs. They clearly show their happiness lies in the field, exercising their strong hunting skills.

Nevertheless, this breed can adapt to life in a family home, but only if they are properly socialized. The French Pointers are excellent companion dogs that are good with children and adults. The Ariège Pointing Dogs have 4 to 8 puppies per litter once per year, and their lifespan is 12 to 15 years.

The Ariège Pointer’s height is between 24 to 27 inches, and it weighs around 55 to 67 pounds. They have dense, thick, short, and rough coats. Since it is a working dog breed, Ariège Pointers are highly active dogs that require a lot of exercise. These dogs are expert hunters due to their excellent retrieving and hunting abilities.

What is the History of Ariège Pointer Dog?

The Ariège Pointer is a French hunting dog with its origins in the Ariègeois region of France. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, several breeds of French dogs, including the Braque Saint-Germain and Braque Francais, were bred together. These breeds were later crossed with local pointing dogs, ultimately resulting in the Ariège Pointer’s unique hunting dog. In 1990, a group of breeders undertook a quest to save the Ariège Pointer breed’ becoming extinct. The United Kennel Club recognized the Braque de l’Ariège in 2006.

What are the Breed Traits and Characteristics of Ariège Pointer?

Stubborn and intelligent is the way many people describe the Ariège Pointer. However, there is a whole lot more to know about this breed. The Ariège Pointer. is a relatively recent French hunting dog classified under the pointing gun dog type. Ariège Pointers, considered the national heritage of France, are highly energetic canines skilled in retrieving. They are typically kept as hunter dogs rather than pet or show dogs. 

The physical traits of the Ariège Pointer include an overall sleek look with a large, elongated head, a long muzzle, overlapping lips, a light nose, almond eyes and large, loosely-hanging ears. The chest is broad that has gradually slimmed down towards the waist. These pointers have a long, thin tail hanging straight downwards, while their legs are sturdy, adapted for running at high speed.

Below are the breed traits and characteristics of the Ariège Pointer.

What is the Average Lifespan of the Ariège Pointer Dog?

Adapted to all types of hunting and considered one of the top hunting dogs that exist, thanks in particular to his excellent sense of smell, incredible stamina, and unfailing determination, it is effective in all types of hunting and on all terrains.

Domesticated Ariège Pointer’s lifespan is 10 to 13 years. The expected lifespans of other scent hounds are listed below, including the breeds crossed to produce the Ariège Pointer.

• Poitevin 10 to 12
• Anglo-Françaises de Petite Venerie  10 to 13 years
• Griffon Nivernais 10 to 14 years
• Petit Gascon-Saintongeois  10 to 14
• American Foxhound 10 to 14 years
• Austrian Black and Tan Hound 12 to 14
• Beagle Harrier 12 to 15 years
• Petit Bleu de Gascogne. 12 to 15

What is the Average Maintenance Cost for Ariège Pointer Dog?

First-time Ariège Pointer owners should consider all the long-term expenses of purchasing or rescuing an Ariège Pointer before doing it. It is a good idea to be prepared for the financial responsibilities of bringing a new pup home. These Ariège Pointers are still scarce outside France, making them significantly more expensive than other readily available hounds. Furthermore, the maintenance costs listed below are estimates based on typical expenses related to medium-sized breeds with few health issues.

The typical annual costs of having a medium-sized hound like an Ariège Pointer:

• US: Average $650 USD
• Australia: Average $1,500 AUD
• United Kingdom: Average ₤ 1,183

The most regular annual costs for dogs similar to the Ariège Pointer consist of:

• Food items
• Veterinary care
• Vaccinations
• Preventive medicine
• Toys
• Pet Insurance
• Pet Supplies

Grooming costs will not form a significant part of the maintenance bills for your furry friend. Ariège Pointer dogs need no more than regular weekly brushing to keep the coat healthy and the pointer looking good. These dogs don’t require frequent baths, only if they roll into something dirty or smelly. Ariège Pointers’ coat colors are Pale orangey fawn, Brown flecked with fawn, and Brown tickled white.

The Ariège Pointer is an average drooler. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. The Ariège Pointer has a moderate risk for obesity, especially if hunting dogs become house pets with insufficient exercise. Daily walks should be on schedule. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with quality dry dog food and live an active life together.

What is the best diet for Ariège Pointer?

Ariège Pointers working as hunting dogs, do well on a formula made with rich protein and healthy fat sources, and choosing a recipe for active breeds would be even better. Certain nutrients are suitable for your Ariège Pointer and are highly recommended. Some of these nutrients are listed below.

• Protein
• Fatty acids
• Carbohydrates
• Minerals
• Vitamins

Avoid feeding them human foods, making them gain weight.

Ariège Pointer is an active, athletic breed type. It will thus need food that contains animal proteins and carbohydrates for energy, vitamins, and minerals for digestive and immune health, and omega fatty acids for coat and skin wellness. A dog of this size, activity level, and demeanor will thrive best on premium dry food because this food type contains balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients.

Ariège Pointer puppy’s portion depends on age, but 3 to 4 cups are appropriate. In contrast, an active, healthy adult Ariège Pointer should have 4 to 5 cups, depending on the brand and formula of the food. Feeding Ariège Pointer dogs several meals instead of one meal per day can prevent life-threatening bloat. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian. 

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food for all life stages is rated as one of the top dried food options for active dogs, available in 28-lb bags for under $60. 

This product’s benefits are listed below.

• Ingredients for Better Health: Includes prebiotics and species-specific probiotics with bacteria naturally found in a dog’s GI tract. 
• Energy That Lasts: Made with premium meats like wild boar, buffalo, smoked salmon and turkey, and roasted bison, lamb, quail, venison, and duck.  Highly digestible proteins and fiber-rich carbohydrates will keep your pup feeling full and energized throughout the day.
• Immune System Support: Includes prebiotics and species-specific probiotics with bacteria that are naturally found in a dog’s GI tract.
• Maximizing Nutrient Absorption: Helps your pet’s body absorb all of the beneficial minerals in its food. Recipes have chelated minerals. That means they can easily attach to proteins for absorption during digestion.
• Perfectly Balanced Omegas: Contains just the correct dose of fatty acids, marine-sourced omega-3 and omega-6 from plant sources.

When French Pointers are healthy and active, every day is an adventure. That’s why Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is crafted with everything dogs need to thrive, starting with real protein as the first ingredient.

How Much Should an Ariège Pointer Puppy Eat? 

The Ariège Pointer Dog is a medium-sized breed whose pups under 12 weeks should get four bowls of food per day. When French Pointers become three months old, owners can feed them three meals per day till they reach six months, when the food intake can be reduced to 2 meals per day. Only high-quality and branded puppy food is acceptable. Guidance for feeding puppies is listed below.

• Ariège Pointer Dog puppies need slow, sustained growth to help prevent orthopedic problems, such as hip dysplasia. Raise them on a diet designed for large-breed puppies. Whatever diet you choose shouldn’t overemphasize protein, fat, and calorie levels.
• Ariège Pointer Dogs should be fed according to a schedule, spreading meal times over two or three times per day. Getting the puppy accustomed to meals at specific times is better than leaving food out to allow feeding throughout the day.
• Ariège Pointer Dogs with medical conditions like hypoglycemia or low blood sugar are the exceptions because they need to nibble bits of food throughout the day.
• Never feed your puppy from the table. It only encourages begging. Everyone in the family must follow this rule.

If you’ve got a puppy that you’re raising to be a determined, avid hunter, you want to give them a kibble that will strengthen their bodies and enable them for the hard physical times to come. A recommended product is from Victor, the Victor Grain-Free Active Puppy formula is an ideal option for hunting puppies. The benefits for French Pointer puppies are listed below.

• Grain-free. Great for preventing the development of allergins.
• Made with 77% protein from beef, pork, and fish.
• Comes from a reputable brand known for making satisfactory dog foods.
• It helps puppies with digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Builds immunity, strong bones, and teeth.

What are the common health problems of Ariège Pointer Dog?

Ariège Pointer Hound Dogs are healthy, but regular veterinarian checkups remain essential. With no health studies having been performed on the population of Ariège Pointer dogs outside France, it is difficult to predict the health complaints they may suffer from. They have been bred for purpose rather than aesthetics, and because they have not been commercially bred, they tend to enjoy good health, and most are hardy individuals. The following list of health conditions should be monitored:

• • Hip dysplasia is a deformation that occurs and develops as Ariège Pointer puppies grow. It is caused by loose joints that prevent the ball part of one bone from sliding smoothly in the socket of the other joint bone. Instead, it grinds and rubs in the joint, causing painful wear and tear damage as the Ariège Pointer grows and becomes heavier. Although it could start in puppyhood, it usually only becomes evident in adult dogs, making annual medical examinations crucial.
  • Elbow Dysplasia is the most common cause of lameness in the forelimbs of active breeds like the Ariège Pointer.
  • Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) or Gastric Torsion is also known as ‘bloat’, A life-threatening disorder that happens when a dog’s stomach fills with gas and becomes twisted. This is an emergency and requires urgent veterinary attention.

• Patellar luxation occurs when the dog patella (kneecap), which normally sits on the groove of the femur (thighbone), shifts out of alignment. When luxation of the patella occurs, your dog may experience intermittent hind limb “skipping,” lameness, or a locking up of the limb at an odd angle.

• Ear Infections happen to practically, all breeds of dogs with ‘floppy’ ears typical in hounds are prone to developing ear infections. Infected ears emit a foul odor, are uncomfortable for the dog and could be red and full of thick discharge. At the first sign of an infection, a dog must be brought to the vet to diagnose the type of infection and provide suitable treatment.

What are the nutritional needs of Ariège Pointer Dogs?

The nutritional needs of an Ariège Pointer Dog include high levels of specific nutrients. The essential nutrients for Ariège Pointer are listed below.

• Protein: Ariège Pointer Dogs need natural animal protein, valuable for the amino acids they contain essential for Ariège Pointer’s health. Equally important is the fact that protein builds lean muscles and provides energy.
• Fat: Animal protein provides adequate fat, an additional energy source that boosts the Ariège Pointer Dog’s metabolism. However, there is a fine line between enough and too much. Excessive fat levels in the dog’s daily diet could result in weight gain and, ultimately, obesity. Most importantly, adults and senior Ariège Pointer need lower fat levels than puppies.
• Carbohydrates: Although carbs are not essential nutrients, they are crucial energy sources. Giving the Ariège Pointer Dog sufficient carbs will provide energy, encouraging the body’s protein absorption to build lean muscle. Beware, though, too much carbohydrate can lead to obesity.
• DHA: DHA is one of the components of omega-3 fatty acids. It promotes proper eye and brain development in Ariège Pointer Dog puppies, and DHA develops cognitive development in puppies and slows cognitive decline in older dogs. Furthermore, omega fatty acids benefit aging dogs by treating chronic kidney disease and canine arthritis. Omega-3 oils improve the coat health of Ariège Pointer.
• Micronutrient: Taurine is one micronutrient that aids heart health and other valuable micronutrients for promoting strong joints in Ariège Pointer Dogs chondroitin and glucosamine.
• Minerals: Beneficial minerals for an Ariège Pointer’s growth include a healthy balance of phosphorus and calcium. Pre- and probiotics and chelated minerals provide additional health to the diets of Ariège Pointer Dogs.

Where to Buy or Adopt an Ariège Pointer?

Ariège Pointer Dogs are incredibly rare and, therefore, hard to find, except in France, its country of origin. If you purchase your puppy from a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay $450 to $1,100. 

Breeders will have one or both parents on-site so that you can get a feel for their temperament. Ariège Pointer puppies are often peppy and playful—all should have cheery expressions and kind eyes. These dogs are not recognized by the AKC.

The best way to ensure you get a healthy Ariège Pointer hound puppy is to reach out to registered kennel clubs like the Continental Kennel Club(CKC), Dog Registry of America Inc (DRA), American Canine Association, Inc.(ACA), or probably the best authority on this breed, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). 

Another option is to contact this international facility, LES HAUTS DE ROUILLAC, in Ariège Pointer’s homeland, France. The most extensive directory of Braque de l’Ariège dog breeders in the world. Only official and registered Braque de l’Ariège breeders (FCI, AKC, and The Kennel Club breeders). Select the area where you would like to locate Braque de l’Ariège breeders.

It might take some time to find a legitimate breeder, and travel may very well be in the cards. Steer clear of backyard breeding by avoiding sales sites and ad pages. When you select a breeder, make sure they have proof of successful, healthy litters with any documentation necessary.

The mentioned kennel clubs handle requests and inquiries about breeders, adoptions, and rescues of Ariège Pointer breeds. Although you can buy or adopt Ariège Pointer from abroad, not all countries allow importing adopted dogs.

Those whose countries allow the importation of Ariège Pointer may find the logistics challenging. Procedures include obtaining certification from a vet to prove the Ariège Pointer is fully vaccinated and providing all the additional required veterinary documents before the travel

Furthermore, your country must approve the veterinarian to authorize the importation, and it will be your responsibility to ensure you use the services of a certified vet.

What are the Rescue Clubs for Ariège Pointer Dogs?

Even though the breed is slightly uncommon, you might be able to find an Ariège Pointer or Ariège Pointer mix at a local rescue or shelter. These dogs come with proper vetting, spay or neuter, and a history of health issues. You might not find Ariège Pointer puppies as quickly, but you can find an adult one in desperate need of love.

If you adopt a rescued hound, you can expect to pay $150 to $300, covering vaccinations, spay or neuter, and other basic care. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is the best place to contact to get information on reputable rescue facilities. Registered kennel clubs in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. handle requests and inquiries about reputable rescue facilities with available Ariège Pointer hounds. It is essential to become familiar with your country’s importation laws if you fall in love with an Ariège Pointer dog seeking a loving home in another country.

How to Name an Ariège Pointer?

Naming an Ariège Pointer dog might require different criteria than new Ariège Pointer parents might expect. It is never the actual name the pup responds to; instead, it is the sound and how it is said. There might be a specific inspiration like history, a movie, nature, or the night sky, and in the case of the Ariège Pointer, why not use their origins as inspiration. 

The building blocks for naming an Ariège Pointer include the significance of the sound. The Ariège Pointer’s name will mean something to the humans in the dog’s life, but as far as your canine companion goes, only the sound matters. Ariège Pointer Dogs respond best to two-syllable names that are not short enough to be confused with single-syllable command words like “sit,” stay,” “come,” and “down.” However, the names should not be long enough to become puzzling.

Choose a name that could sound different in regular interaction than when calling your Ariège Pointer. It might be a good idea to call out a name you like and check your Ariège Pointer pup’s reaction. Be creative use different tones for each syllable. Don’t rush; try several, and if your favorite name is too long or too short, add or remove bits until you have composed the perfect unique sound that your precious pup will recognize from a distance.

Below are several names inspired by the. Ariège Pointer’s skill sets as hunting dogs..

What Dog Breeds are Similar to the Ariège Pointer?

Many French and English dog breeds have similar characteristics and traits which link them back to their ancient origins in a group called Ariège Pointer. However, some of these breeds with ancient origins are scarce, and some countries may not allow the importation of dogs. People considering adopting or rescuing a pup similar to the Ariège Pointer can see a few options below.

Old Danish Pointer: Old Danish Pointer has origins in Denmark but Ariège Pointer originated in France. The two breeds are both working dogs classified as medium[sized, and their heights and weights are similar. Their smooth and short coats make grooming the same The lifespans of the Ariège Pointer and the Old Danish Pointer share 10 to 15 years life expectancy. 

German Shorthaired Pointer: The Ariège Pointer has French roots, and the German Shorthaired Pointer is from Germany. Both breeds have similar weights, heights, and lifespans. . The German Pointer and the French Pointer have short smooth hair, and require minimum grooming.