Ariégeois

The Ariégeois is a lean, elegant French scent hound from the Ariège, bred to hunt hare in packs across the foothills of the Pyrenees.

History

It was developed in southern France from older regional hounds, refined into a lighter, faster pack dog for hunting hare and other small game by scent. It is a comparatively young breed built on ancient hound stock.

Temperament

The breed is known for being gentle, sociable and even-tempered, good with people and with other dogs — a pack hound at heart. On a trail it is keen and single-minded.

Care and training

It needs plenty of exercise and a securely fenced space, and training rewards patience with a scent-driven mind. The short coat is easy, but the long ears need regular cleaning.

Health

The breed is generally healthy and hardy; the main day-to-day considerations are ear care and, as in any deep-chested hound, an awareness of bloat. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.