Ariegeois Dog Breed: Facts, Traits, Character and Look

Around 1912, the Ariègeois dog was developed in the French region of Ariège. They have short, primarily white coats, and some Ariègeois have tan facial patches and black mottling on their bodies. Healthy Ariegeois dogs are tall and lean with skinny, long ears. 

The Ariègeois breed has traditionally been used for hunting hares and boars in packs. Still, more and more of these furry hunting dogs are now companions and pets of families across the United States and elsewhere. This transition from working animal to loyal pet has almost certainly come about because of the Ariègeois’ affectionate personalities. However, owners should be aware that these hunting dogs have a very high demand for exercise and require an experienced and patient trainer.

Ariegeois was developed from the Gascon Saintongeois, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, and several other medium-sized French hounds. The Ariegeois Dog has 3 to 6 puppies per litter once per year, and their lifespan is 12 to 13 years.

The Ariegeois Dog’s height is between 20 to 33 inches, and it weighs around 50 to 70 pounds. They have dense, thick, short, and rough coats. Since it is a working dog breed, Ariegeois Dogs 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 the Ariegeois Dog?

The Ariegeois is a relatively new breed of scent hounds, originating in 1912 in France. It is a blend of three French scent hounds, Grand bleu de Gascon, Grand Gascon-Saintongeois, and the Briquet, which was mispronounced and later known as the Beagle. 

As a demonstration of the ancient origins of the Ariegeois breeders, the Grand bleu was brought to France by an ancient civilization, the Phoenicians, who traded wares and dogs. The Briquet is native to southern France, and they have been serving their hunting masters as far back as pre-Roman times.

As the breeds mixed, the Ariegeois came about. A sought-after pack dog emerged with an excellent sense of smell that would stand the dog in good stead for hunting. Today, while still reasonably uncommon beyond French borders, the dog is highly regarded for its extraordinary hunting abilities and his loyal, affectionate nature towards his human companions.

What are the Breed Traits and Characteristics of Ariegeois Dogs?

Stubborn and intelligent is the way many people describe the Ariegeois Dog. However, there is a whole lot more to know about this breed. The Ariegeois Dog is a relatively recent addition to the French hunting, scenting, and gun dogs. Ariegeois Dogs, 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 Ariegeois is a breed with medium-length ears and a slightly curved tail. Their coat is short, white, and glossy with clear and defined black markings and sometimes tan patches on the face. An Ariegeois’s head is elongated without any wrinkles and is about the same length as its muzzle. Their noses are black, and their eyes are dark, usually brown. They always appear alert and happy. Their weight is about 50-70 pounds, and they stand at about 20- 33 inches.

Below are the breed traits and characteristics of the Ariegeois Dog.

What is the Average Lifespan of the Ariegeois Dog?

The Ariegeois has adapted to all types of hunting and is considered one of the top hunting dogs. Thanks to his excellent sense of smell, incredible stamina, and unfailing determination, the Ariegeois is effective in all types of hunting and on all terrains.

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

• 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 Ariegeois Dogs?

First-time Ariegeois Dog owners should consider all the long-term expenses of purchasing or rescuing an Ariegeois Dog before doing it. It is a good idea to be prepared for the financial responsibilities of bringing a new pup home. These Ariegeois Dogs 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 medium-sized breeds with few health issues.

The typical annual costs of having a medium-sized hound like an Ariegeois Dog:

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

The most regular annual costs for dogs similar to the Ariegeois Dog 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. Ariegeois 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. Ariegeois Dogs’ coat colors are Pale orangey fawn, Brown flecked with fawn, and Brown tickled white.

The Ariegeois Dog is an average drooler. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. The Ariegeois Dog 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 Ariegeois Dogs?

Ariegeois Dogs 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 Ariegeois Dog 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.

Ariegeois 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.

Ariegeois puppy’s portion depends on age, but 3 to 4 cups are appropriate. In contrast, an active, healthy adult Ariegeois Dog should have 4 to 5 cups, depending on the brand and formula of the food. Feeding Ariegeois 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 Ariegeois Dogs 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 Ariegeois Dog Puppy Eat? 

The Ariegeois Dog is a medium-sized breed whose pups under 12 weeks should get four bowls of food per day. When Ariegeois Dogs 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.

• Ariegeois 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.
• Ariegeois 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.
• Ariegeois 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 Ariegeois Dog puppies are listed below.

• Grain-free. Great for preventing the development of allergens.
• 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 Ariegeois Dog?

Ariegeois is a healthy breed, but regular veterinarian checkups remain essential. With no health studies having been performed on the population of Ariegeois 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 Ariegeois Dog 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 Ariegeois Dog 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 Ariegeois Dog.
  • 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’s 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.
• Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in xx.  A cataract is an opacity on the lens of the eye, which causes difficulty in seeing. The eye of the dog will have a cloudy appearance. Cataracts usually occur in old age and can be treated by surgically removing the cataract.

• Ear Infections could affect 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.

• Muscle Strains and injuries happen to any dog that works for a living, the Ariegeois Dog will have a higher chance of developing injuries over their lifetime than will companion animals or show dogs. Most commonly, they will be seen at a veterinary clinic for lacerations, claw injuries, soft tissue injuries, and fractures.

What are the nutritional needs of Ariegeois Dogs?

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

• Protein: Ariegeois Dogs need natural animal protein, valuable for the amino acids they contain essential for Ariegeois Dog’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 Ariegeois 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 Ariegeois Dog need lower fat levels than puppies.
• Carbohydrates: Although carbs are not essential nutrients, they are crucial energy sources. Giving the Ariegeois 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 Ariegeois 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 Ariegeois Dog.
• Micronutrient: Taurine is one micronutrient that aids heart health and other valuable micronutrients for promoting strong joints in Ariegeois Dogs chondroitin and glucosamine.
• Minerals: Beneficial minerals for an Ariegeois Dog’s growth include a healthy balance of phosphorus and calcium. Pre- and probiotics and chelated minerals provide additional health to the diets of Ariegeois Dogs.

Where to Buy or Adopt an Ariegeois Dog?

Ariegeois 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 up to $1,100. 

If you manage to track down Ariegeois breeders, make sure you go to the facility and insist on meeting both the parents of the puppies. will have one or both parents on-site so that you can get a feel for their temperament. Ariegeois Dog 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 Ariegeois Dog 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 Ariegeois Dog’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 Ariegeois Dog breeds. Although you can buy or adopt Ariegeois Dog from abroad, not all countries allow importing adopted dogs.

Those whose countries allow the importation of Ariegeois Dog may find the logistics challenging. Procedures include obtaining certification from a vet to prove the Ariegeois Dog 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 Ariegeois Dogs?

Even though the breed is slightly uncommon, you might be able to find an Ariegeois Dog or Ariegeois Dog 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 Ariegeois Dog 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 Ariegeois Dog hounds. It is essential to become familiar with your country’s importation laws if you fall in love with an Ariegeois Dog seeking a loving home in another country.

How to Name an Ariegeois Dog?

Naming an Ariegeois Dog might require different criteria than new Ariegeois Dog 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 Ariegeois Dog, why not use their French roots as inspiration. 

The building blocks for naming an Ariegeois Dog include the significance of the sound. The Ariegeois Dog’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. Ariegeois 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 Ariegeois Dog. It might be a good idea to call out a name you like and check your Ariegeois Dog 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 Ariegeois Dog’s skill sets as hunting dogs.

What Dog Breeds are Similar to the Ariegeois Dog Breed?

Many French working dog breeds have similar characteristics and traits which link them back to their ancient origins. Ariegeois resulted from purposeful breeding to enhance the different traits and characteristics necessary for good hunting dogs. Some of those breeds are similar to the Ariegeois. In some cases, similar breeds may be available in countries other than France. Below are some of the similarities between the Ariegeois and two of the breeds that contributed to the gene pool for the breeding of the Ariegeois. 

Grand Bleu de Gascogne: The Ariegeois and Grand Bleu De Gascogne breeds have their roots in France. Although the Grand Bleu is taller and heavier than the Ariegeois, the two breeds are both working dogs, and they share several other traits and characteristics. Their smooth and short coats make grooming easy for both. Some of the personality traits they share include affection, loyalty, and protectiveness. Both breeds get on well with other dogs and children; however, both breeds would need adequate socialization. 

Grand Gascon-Saintongeois: The Ariegeois and Grand Gascon Saintongeois breed both originated in France. Although the Grand Gascon is taller and heavier than the Ariegeois, the two breeds are scent dogs and share several other traits and characteristics. Their smooth and short coats make grooming easy for both. Some of the personality traits they share include independence and intelligence. Both breeds are also alert, courageous, affectionate, cheerful, and playful.