| Ariégeois | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Other names | Ariege Hound | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | France | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
TheAriégeois is a Frenchbreed of medium-sizedscent hound from thedépartement ofAriège in theMidi-Pyrenées region of southern France. It may have derived fromcross-breeding of pack-hunting hounds such as theGrand Bleu de Gascogne orGrand Gascon-Saintongeois with localBriquet dogs.[2] It hunts either alone or in a pack, and is used both as acourser and for driving game to waiting guns. While most successful with hares, it is also used for hunting deer and boar.[3] It does not adapt well to urban life,[4] and is not usually kept as acompanion dog.[5]: 46
The Ariégeois is a traditional breed of theMidi-Pyrenées, and particularly of theAriège. It may have derived fromcross-breeding of pack-hunting hounds such as theGrand Bleu de Gascogne orGrand Gascon-Saintongeois with localBriquet dogs.[2] It was officially recognised in France in 1912,[1]: 164 and was definitively accepted by theFédération Cynologique Internationale in 1954.[6]
The Ariégeois is similar in appearance to theGrand Bleu de Gascogne andGrand Gascon-Saintongeois, but is lighter in build and not as tall.[2] The usual weight is approximately25–27 kg.[1]: 164 Dogs stand some52–58 cm, bitches about two centimetres less.[6] The skin is close-fitting and without wrinkles; themucosa are black. The coat is dense, smooth and short, white or mottled white with clearly-defined black markings; there are tan markings to the face, and tan points over the eyes.[1]: 164 [2] The ears are soft and just long enough to reach the nose. The neck is slender and arched slightly. The feet are of long oval shape, like those of ahare, with black pads and claws; there are nodewclaws. The tail is slightly curved.[2]
The Ariégeois is ascent hound. It may hunt either alone or in a pack, and is used both as acourser and for driving game to waiting guns. While most successful with hares, it is also used to track deer andwild boar.[3] It is light and tough, and can work on difficult terrain and in even the thickest brush, but is not particularly fast.[7]: 67 [8]: 31 Itbays while tracking.[7]: 67
It does not adapt well to urban life,[4] and is not usually kept as acompanion dog.[5]: 46
