Ariégeois

The Ariégeois is a traditional breed of the Midi-Pyrenées, and particularly of the Ariège. It may have derived from cross-breeding of pack-hunting hounds such as the Grand Bleu de Gascogne or Grand Gascon-Saintongeois with local Briquet dogs.^[2] It was officially recognised in France in 1912,^[1]: 164 and was definitively accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1954.^[6]

The Ariégeois is similar in appearance to the Grand Bleu de Gascogne and Grand Gascon-Saintongeois, but is lighter in build and not as tall.^[2] The usual weight is approximately 25–27 kg.^[1]: 164 Dogs stand some 52–58 cm, bitches about two centimetres less.^[6] The skin is close-fitting and without wrinkles; the mucosa 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 a hare, with black pads and claws; there are no dewclaws. The tail is slightly curved.^[2]

The Ariégeois is a scent hound. It may hunt either alone or in a pack, and is used both as a courser and for driving game to waiting guns. While most successful with hares, it is also used to track deer and wild 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} It bays while tracking.^[7]: 67

It does not adapt well to urban life,^[4] and is not usually kept as a companion dog.^[5]: 46