Braque de l'Ariege

55-66 lbs
22-26"
France
Ariege Pointer, Ariege Pointing Dog, Braque De L'Ariege, Ariege-Vorstehhund, Braco Del Ariege

The Braque de l’Ariege is an energetic pointing breed. They love playing games and staying active. The Braque de l’Ariege is a happy breed that is great at performing their job. They quickly bond with their owners and enjoy spending time with any children within the family. They can easily fit within a pack and like playing with other dogs; however, they should not be trusted with any pets that are not dogs. The Braque de l’Ariege is wary of strangers and does not make friends easily with people they just meet. They are independent thinkers and are considered to be a good judge of character. 

purpose Purpose
Gun Dog, Pointer
history Date of Origin
1800s
ancestry Ancestry
Braque Francais

Braque de l'Ariege Health

Average Size
Male Braque de l'Ariege size stats
Height: 24-26 inches Weight: 55-66 lbs
Female Braque de l'Ariege size stats
Height: 22-26 inches Weight: 55-66 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Usually A Very Healthy Breed
Minor Concerns
  • Ear Infections
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Occasional Diagnoses
  • None Known
Occasional Tests
  • Yearly Physical Examination
  • OFA on hips and elbows

Braque de l'Ariege Breed History

In 1940, Bernard Senac-Lagrange compiled the history of the Braque de l’Ariege. There are some historians that disagree with Senac-Lagrange’s account of the breed’s history but the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) has accepted this version of the breed’s history and published a condensed version with the FCI standard. Senac-Lagrange claimed the Braque de l’Ariege originated when the Braque Francais was crossed with the Braque de Meridonal. There is at least one dispute of this theory. Jean Castaing argues that the Braque de l’Ariege originated from crossing the Braque Francais with the Braques Saint Germain. Either way, it was agreed upon that the Braque Francais was one of the original breeds used to create the Braque de l’Ariege. These large dogs were bred in the southern France region of Ariege in the 1800s. The breed standard was written in 1905 during the Societe Canine du Sud-Ouest dog show. The committee given the task of writing the breed standard asked sculptor Henry Villard for his input. Villard had created a life-sized sculpture of what the ideal the Braque de l’Ariege should look like. This life-sized sculpture is currently residing at the School of Veterinary Medicine in Toulouse. The popularity of the Braque de l’Ariege rose sharply in the first few decades of the 20th century. During this time there were a lot of questions regarding the purity of many of the bloodlines. Some breeders began breeding English Pointers to their Braque de l’Ariege. Other breeders began breeding for an all white dog instead of an orange and white dog. This caused albinism to occur. The breed lost popularity when many were no longer able to hunt with the effectiveness of a pure Braque de l’Ariege because of the English Pointer influence. By 1937 select breeders led by Senac-Lagrange began searching for pure-bred Braque de l’Ariege that did not have the influence of the English Pointers. It took years for the breed to rebound. A breed club was established in 1989 to ensure the breed remained pure.

Braque de l'Ariege Breed Appearance

The Braque de l’Ariege is a strong, robust dog. They have lean, long legs with prominent muscles, although they should never appear overly muscled or bulky.  They must be able to run at high speeds for long periods of time. Their head is large and elongated with a long, tapering muzzle. The Braque de l’Ariege is an elegant hunting dog with a lot of stamina for hunting over rough terrain. The color of their nose is dependent on their coat color, it can be flesh colored, pale brown or even pink but never black. Their nostrils are opened wide and the nose is broad. They have deeply set eyes that are slightly oval, the color is dark amber to brown depending on their coat color and their expression should be gentle and intelligent. Their ears should be set at eye level or just slightly below the eye and hang down beside their head. When stretched forward, the ears should reach to the nose or beyond. They have a short, glossy coat and are white and orange with the orange ranging from pale fawn to a deep reddish orange. 

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Braque de l'Ariege eyes
Brown
amber Braque de l'Ariege eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
blue Braque de l'Ariege nose
Blue
brown Braque de l'Ariege nose
Brown
isabella Braque de l'Ariege nose
Isabella
Coat Color Possibilities
pied Braque de l'Ariege coat
Pied
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Braque de l'Ariege straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Braque de l'Ariege Breed Maintenance

The Braque de l’Ariege is a low maintenance dog and only requires a quick brushing once a week with a soft slicker brush or a natural bristle brush. They do shed some throughout the year and it is a good idea to wipe them down with a damp cloth after brushing to remove any dead hairs. They will shed a little heavier in the spring and fall and may need to be brushed more often during those times. Because they do shed, the Braque de l’Ariege is not a hypoallergenic breed. The Braque de l’Ariege does not have a strong smell and does not need to be bathed often unless they have been out hunting and have gotten into something nasty. When bathing, be sure to use a mild shampoo that is formulated for sleek coats. Their ears do hang down and can easily trap moisture and dirt that can cause ear infections. Clean their ears each week with a cotton ball and ear wash or hydrogen peroxide, dry the ears thoroughly. 

Brushes for Braque de l'Ariege
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Braque de l'Ariege requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Braque de l'Ariege Temperament

The Braque de l’Ariege is a very energetic breed and loves to stay busy. They will find things to occupy their time if you fail to provide them with enough exercise, toys or human interaction. First and foremost, they are working dogs that enjoy spending time searching for game through various terrain. They can adjust to being a family companion when they have understanding families and large fenced yards to run and play in. The Braque de l’Ariege is not recommended for apartment living or for a family that does not have much time to spend with their pet. Because they are hunting dogs with high prey drives, do not leave them unattended with other pets that are not dogs. They may do alright with cats that they are raised with from puppyhood. Do not expect them to openly greet strangers; they are naturally wary of anyone they do not know. 

Braque de l'Ariege Activity Requirements

The Braque de l’Ariege requires a significant amount of time with his owners. Be ready to take them on long walks or jogs for at least an hour at a time, the ideal situation is when the Braque de l’Ariege is able to run twice a day for at least an hour each time. While this might not be feasible, be sure to provide plenty of toys that will keep them entertained when you do not have the time for them. Enroll them in doggy school or even train with them for dog sports to give them an outlet for all their energy.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
14 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Braque de l'Ariege Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.6 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$39.00 - $52.00
food bag monthly cost

Braque de l'Ariege Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Braque de l'Ariege size stats at six months
Height: 19.0 inches Weight: 30.0 lbs
Female Braque de l'Ariege size stats at six months
Height: 17.0 inches Weight: 30.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Braque de l'Ariege size stats at 12 months
Height: 22.0 inches Weight: 47.5 lbs
Female Braque de l'Ariege size stats at 12 months
Height: 20.0 inches Weight: 47.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Braque de l'Ariege size stats at 18 months
Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 60.5 lbs
Female Braque de l'Ariege size stats at 18 months
Height: 24.0 inches Weight: 60.5 lbs

Braque de l'Ariege Owner Experiences

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