Ariege Pointing Dog
Also known as Braque ariégeois
- Height at the withers
- 54 to 65 cm
- Weight
- 25 to 30 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- France
- FCI group
- 7 · Pointing dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with young children
- close neighbors: it barks little
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
A large, powerful and hardy pointer, the Ariege Pointing Dog has a mostly white coat, spotted or speckled with pale to bright orange or light brown, on short, glossy hair, and a nose that is never black. Even-tempered, sociable with people and other dogs alike, it is docile and easy to train. Suited to every kind of hunting, it needs an active owner and lots of space.
History and origins
The Ariege Pointing Dog probably descends from the old French Braque, lightened in the 19th century by crosses with white and orange pointers from southern France. The two world wars decimated its numbers, but a few hunters in the Ariège kept using it, which saved it from disappearing completely. In 1990, a team of breeders set out to revive the breed, recognized by the FCI under no. 177. It remains one of the rarest French pointing breeds, with births registered in the LOF stud book ranging from a handful to a few dozen a year.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Entropion or ectropion
- Ear infections
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care. Coat colors: white and orange, white and light brown, white speckled with orange or brown.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Easy, 4 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Rarely, 2 out of 5
- Barking
- Quiet, 2 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Ariege Pointing Dog FAQ
How big does the Ariege Pointing Dog get?
The Ariege Pointing Dog stands 54 to 65 cm at the withers and weighs 25 to 30 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Ariege Pointing Dog shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Ariege Pointing Dog live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Ariege Pointing Dog need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Ariege Pointing Dog good with children?
Yes: patient and gentle, it is an excellent family dog, even with young children. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Ariege Pointing Dog live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hip dysplasia and entropion or ectropion.
