Ariegeois

While the Ariegeois is a relatively new breed, noted to have officially originated in France in 1912, its ancestry has history that spans back centuries. It is a mixture of three tenured French scent hounds, the Briquet, Grand Gascon-Saintongeois and Grand bleu de Gascon, each of which reach far back into history. The Grand bleu were thought to have been brought to France by the Phoenicians, an ancient civilization that eventually traveled throughout most of Europe  and with them, traded both wares standard of the time and even dogs. The Briquets, often mistranslated as "Beagle," were dogs not restricted to any one breed but were generally known to be shorter, medium-sized scent hounds native to southern France. They have been noted to be in use as early as pre-Roman times when used by the Gaul as hunting dogs. As the breeds mixed, they eventually created what we now know as the Ariegeois, which, like its predecessors, became a widely popular pack dog with an excellent nose that was perfect for hunting and coursing. Unfortunately, like many dogs (and people) living in Europe during WWII, they were nearly wiped out, but a few dedicated breeders helped to revive them in the years following. While still uncommon outside of France, they remain well-regarded dogs for their hunting ability, intelligence, mild temperament, and affectionate nature.