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The Ariegeois is a breed that is native to the land of France, specifically the region of Ariege, from whence it gets its name. It is Count Elie de Vsins who is credited with the creation of this uniquely attractive dog. This is a dog that was bred specifically for hunting and it is only rarely acquired for any other purpose, although they are not a poor choice as a companion dog, by any means. They are exceptional hunting partners, though, having their bloodlines in the mating of the Great Gascony Bleu, the Bloodhound, and the Great Gascon Saintongeois. There may have been other breeds involved in the creation of this fabulous hunting dog as well, but these were the main dogs used by the Count. These dogs have been used for all sorts of ground hunting, but they are especially fond of hunting wild hare and wild boar.

According to breed standards, the Ariegeois should be between 22 and 24 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Their weight should be in the range of 63 to 69 pounds, with males usually being a bit larger than females. They should be well-proportioned in appearance and not look excessively fatty. Their body composition is such that they can easily traverse the mountains of their homeland with agility and speed. The ears are held in the dropped position, hanging down the sides of the head, and are relatively long, a trait that most hunting dogs have in common. The eyes are intelligent and sensitive in expression and can look sad when the dog is at rest, lighting up on the hunt. They are dark in color. The nose is also dark and the muzzle rather long. The upper lips hang slightly over the lower. The tail is tapered, being thick at the base and getting thinner towards the tip.

The coat of the Ariegeois is short in length and lays smooth against the body. They are average shedders and their grooming is fairly easy, only needing a thorough brushing a couple of times per week with a stiff brush 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 coat is tri-colored, with black and tan on the head.

The Ariegeois is a breed that is suited for hunting work, and they seem to truly love their work. They are happiest when they are on the hunt by the side of their owner. 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 undesirable behaviors, such as obsessive barking or destructiveness. They are very loyal and form strong bonds with their owners.

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. Plenty of praise and reward will be quite useful in training the Ariegeois. They should also be well-socialized from an early age as they can be prone to timidity. The average lifespan of this breed is from eleven to fourteen years and they are typically quite healthy. They can be registered with the FCI under the "Hound" category.

Learn more about this author, Victoria Tiegert.
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