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The Ariege Pointing Dog, also known as the Braque de l'Arige or just the Ariege Pointer, is a breed that is native to the land of France. This is a dog that was bred specifically for hunting and it is rarely acquired for any other purpose. They are exceptional as gun dogs, being almost fully calm and unaffected by the sight and sound of the gun. They also point accurately and readily, adding to their magnificent ability as hunting companions. Specifically, they are used in hunting hare and partridge.

At their initial breeding, which was in the twentieth century, they were used specifically for hunting in the Pyrenees Mountain area. It is thought the breed has its roots in the Perdigueiro de Burgos and the Bracco Italiano. The geniuses behind these exquisite hunting dogs were Braqque Saint-Germain and Braque Francais. Alain Deteix led the way to the re-establishment of the breed in the 1990s after they became very close to extinction during the Second World War.

This breed is not yet eligible for registry with the American Kennel Club, but they are eligible with the United Kennel Club under the native name of Braque de l'Ariege. There are some other registries that they are accepted through, but they are the less well-known ones. While registry may hold little importance to the hunter or average family, it is important for the breeder or those who are interested in competing with the dogs. It will give the dog far greater value in these areas.

According to breed standards, the Ariege Pointing Dog should be between 24 and 26 inches tall, when measured to the withers. They should be well-muscled in appearance and not look excessively fatty. The ears are held in the flopped and are relatively long, as most hunting dogs have in common. The eyes are sweet and sensitive in expression and can look sad when the dog is at rest, lighting up on the hunt. The nose is dark and the muzzle relatively long. The upper lips hang over the lower. The tail is tapered, being thick at the base and getting thinner towards the tip, when left natural, but it is traditionally docked.

The coat of the Ariege Pointing Dog is short. They are average shedders and their grooming is fairly easy, only needing a thorough brushing once per week or so to ensure that there is no matting, nothing stuck in the fur, and to remove loose hairs. This will also keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.

The Ariege Pointing Dog is a breed that is suited for hunting work, really not ideal for a pet as they love their work. This breed will need a lot of exercise in order to burn off the amazing amount of energy that they have. The high level of intelligence that the breed possesses means that they should have plenty of mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom. If they are not kept busy enough, they will be prone to obsessive barking or destructiveness. Training should be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. If you are firm, stable, and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly, especially regarding the natural hunting instincts that they have.

Learn more about this author, Victoria Tiegert.
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