Ariegeois

The breed takes its name from the Ariège department at the foot of the French Pyrenees, where it was developed to hunt hare over rugged, difficult mountain terrain. A short coat and a medium build of up to 26 kilograms let it move through rock and dense undergrowth without much trouble. Like many French scenthounds, the Ariégeois was bred for stamina rather than speed, able to work for hours following a trail slowly but steadily. The breed remains almost unknown outside France and is used almost exclusively for hunting. At home its temperament tends to be calm, though it struggles without regular physical exercise. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Ariegeois: how old in human years?

50–58 cmHeight
21–26 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Beagle-Harrier

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 20
Country of origin: France

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 52–58 cm

Females 50–56 cm

Weight

Males 23–26 kg

Females 21–24 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

short (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Ariegeois's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Ariegeois's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Ariegeois's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 2/5
Barking level 4/5

Grooming & Care

Ariegeois's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 2/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Ariegeois

The Ariegeois comes from the Ariège in the south of France, where it hunted hare in packs, and the hunting horn still sounds somewhere in its head. It is a light, elegant and remarkably tireless hound, and a half-hour stroll around the block is merely a warm-up. It needs hours of activity every day: long hikes, runs in a fenced area, and the freedom to follow a scent.

Its nose and hunting instinct are very strong, so off the lead in open country it can vanish over the horizon on the trail of a hare. It learns willingly but independently: short, cheerful sessions with treats achieve more than a stern voice, and a reliable recall is worth working for, though never worth trusting blindly.

At home, once it has run itself out, the Ariegeois is gentle, calm and friendly: good with children, happy to live with other dogs and unsuspicious of visitors. It is no guard dog, but it has a ringing voice and likes to use it, which rules out a flat. It is happiest with an active family and a garden, where every day starts and ends with a long walk.

Grooming and coat

The Ariegeois has the kind of fine, short, smooth coat other owners dream of: a rubber mitt or soft brush once a week is all it takes. It sheds lightly and dirt drops off easily, so baths are only needed after a particularly muddy adventure.

Save your attention for those long, thin, drop ears: they brush through grass and undergrowth, so check them after every walk in the countryside for burrs and seeds, and wipe them gently. A fine coat offers little protection from scratches, so glance over the skin and paws too, and trim the nails when you hear them clicking on the floor.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (26 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 315 g of dry food a day, from €17,25 a month For a neutered, normally active 23,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog