Ariegeois
A light, elegant French hare hound from the Pyrenean foothills, gentle at home and tireless on a scent.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 52–58 cm · Females 50–56 cm
- Weight
- Males 24–27 kg · Females 22–25 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 90–150 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- White, Black, Tricolour
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent
- Country of origin
- France
- FCI
- Group 6, no. 20 · Scent hounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 5/5 – Very high |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 1/5 – Very low |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a gentle, easy-coated hound
- have time for long daily walks
- have another dog for company
Think twice if you …
- need a dog that can be off lead anywhere
- dislike baying
- have small pets at home
Care
Temperament
Gentle, affectionate and sociable with people and dogs, but keen and single-minded when hunting.
Exercise
Needs long daily walks plus regular chances to run in safe, enclosed areas; tracking and scent games are good outlets.
Grooming
The fine short coat needs only a weekly rub-down; check the long ears regularly.
Training
Sensitive and fairly biddable for a hound, but recall around scent remains a challenge; use rewards and patience.
Health
A sound, lightly built hound with few known breed-specific issues; ear infections are the most common nuisance. Hip screening is sensible for breeding dogs, so ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Ariégeois was developed in the Ariège, in the French Pyrenees, around the start of the 20th century by crossing local medium-sized hounds with the larger Gascon breeds. The aim was a lighter, quicker dog for hunting hare in hilly country, and it is still used that way today, mostly in packs.
It is a refined-looking, white-and-black hound with a calm, affectionate nature indoors. Like most pack hounds it is easy with other dogs, loud when it finds a trail and hard to call back once it is following one. A secure garden and long daily outings are essential.
Did you know?
The breed was officially recognised in France in 1912, making it one of the younger French scent hounds.